Cohere, the leading security-first enterprise AI company, is building its Government Affairs and Public Policy team and hiring a Government Affairs Lead for the Middle East to establish and strengthen its presence across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Gulf region.
 About Cohere — Security-First Enterprise AI
Company Focus: Cutting-edge foundation AI models and end-to-end products for real-world business problems
Customer Base: Enterprises building AI systems
Headquarters: Toronto, with offices in London, New York City, San Francisco, Montreal, Paris, Berlin, and Seoul
Reporting Line: Reports directly to the Head of EMEA Government Affairs & Public Policy
Work Style: Remote-friendly, with co-working support and a home office stipend
 Career Impact & Government Affairs Opportunity
Strategic Scope: Represent Cohere across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries
Policy Influence: Contribute to AI policy, digital transformation, and public procurement discussions
Executive Access: Work alongside experienced policy leaders and senior executives
Career Growth: Help position Cohere as a trusted partner in the region’s AI ambitions
Position Overview
As Government Affairs Lead for the Middle East, you will help establish and strengthen Cohere’s presence across the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries, ensuring the company’s voice contributes to the development of AI policy, digital transformation, public-sector innovation, procurement, and economic diversification initiatives.
 Why This Role Matters: As Government Affairs Lead, you serve as Cohere’s primary government affairs representative across the region, building trusted relationships with ministries, regulators, government authorities, and sovereign entities, monitor and assess legislative, regulatory, and public policy developments affecting AI, cloud computing, data governance, and cybersecurity, support policy advocacy through consultation responses, policy submissions, and executive briefing materials, partner with commercial and public sector sales teams on business development opportunities across government, financial services, telecommunications, and energy, represent Cohere in industry associations, public-private partnerships, and policy forums, and ensure all government engagement is conducted in full compliance with applicable local laws and company policies.
Key Responsibilities
Government Relationships & Representation
- Serve as Cohere’s primary government affairs representative across the region
- Build trusted relationships with ministries, regulators, public-sector organizations, and innovation agencies
Policy Monitoring & Advocacy
- Monitor legislative, regulatory, and policy developments affecting AI, cloud, data governance, and cybersecurity
- Develop consultation responses, policy submissions, briefing materials, and executive talking points
Commercial & Communications Collaboration
- Partner with commercial and public sector sales teams to support business development
- Collaborate with communications teams on messaging around responsible AI and innovation
Industry Representation & Compliance
- Represent Cohere in industry associations, public-private partnerships, conferences, and policy forums
- Ensure all government engagement is conducted in full compliance with local laws and company policies
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations, public policy, law, business, economics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
Experience Requirements
- 7+ years of experience in government, a ministerial office, public policy, diplomacy, regulatory affairs, corporate government affairs, or a leading industry association
- Strong understanding of the policymaking and regulatory landscape in the UAE or Saudi Arabia
- Experience building trusted relationships with senior government officials
- Familiarity with AI policy, digital transformation, cloud technologies, or public procurement
Essential Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Strong analytical skills to translate policy developments into clear business implications
- Collaborative mindset across international, cross-functional teams in multiple time zones
- Entrepreneurial, self-starter mentality with strong stakeholder management skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional proficiency in Arabic
- Existing relationships with government stakeholders in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia
- Experience engaging with GCC institutions or regional organizations
- Experience in enterprise software, cloud computing, or AI
 Perks & Benefits
- Weekly lunch stipend
- Full health and dental benefits, including a separate mental health budget
- RRSP matching, 401K, or Pension Scheme
- 100% parental leave top-up for up to 6 months
- Annual enrichment benefits and education & learning stipend
- 6 weeks of paid vacation (30 working days)
- $500 home office stipend and co-working benefit
About Cohere
Cohere is the leading security-first enterprise AI company, building cutting-edge foundation AI models and end-to-end products designed to solve real-world business problems. As a global technology company headquartered in Toronto with key offices across London, New York City, San Francisco, Montreal, Paris, Berlin, and Seoul, Cohere is training and deploying frontier models for enterprises building AI systems, with a team of researchers, engineers, and designers passionate about their craft.
Career Excellence: Help shape AI policy and public-sector engagement across the Middle East, positioning Cohere as a trusted partner supporting the region’s ambitions to become a global AI leader.
 Who Should Apply?
- Government Affairs Professionals: With 7+ years in policy, diplomacy, or regulatory affairs
- Gulf Public Sector Specialists: With deep understanding of UAE or Saudi policymaking landscapes
- AI & Technology Policy Advocates: Familiar with AI regulation, cloud, and data governance
- Arabic-Speaking Policy Leaders: With professional Arabic proficiency and regional relationships
- Enterprise Tech Public Affairs Executives: Comfortable supporting government procurement and digital transformation
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