Cohere, the leading security-first enterprise AI company, is building a Government Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) team and seeking a Government Affairs Lead for the Middle East to help establish and strengthen Cohere’s presence across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Gulf Coast countries.
About the Company — Cohere’s Global AI Leadership
Company Focus: Cutting-edge foundation AI models and end-to-end enterprise products
Positioning: The leading security-first enterprise AI company
Global Presence: Headquartered in Toronto, with offices in London, NYC, San Francisco, Montreal, Paris, Berlin, and Seoul
Team Structure: Building a dedicated Government Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) team
Regional Scope: UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf Coast countries
Career Impact & Government Affairs Opportunity
Strategic Location: UAE — shaping one of the world’s most dynamic AI policy environments
Technical Ownership: Serve as Cohere’s primary government affairs representative across the region
Senior Access: Report directly to Cohere’s Head of EMEA Government Affairs & Public Policy
Career Growth: Contribute directly to Cohere’s strategic growth across two of the world’s fastest-growing AI markets
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 Coast countries, ensuring the company’s voice contributes to AI policy, digital transformation, public-sector innovation, procurement, and economic diversification initiatives.
Why This Role Matters:Â As Government Affairs Lead, you partner closely with senior leadership, legal, public policy, and commercial teams to develop and execute Cohere’s government affairs strategy across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, serve as Cohere’s primary government affairs representative, building trusted relationships with ministries, regulators, and sovereign entities, monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting AI, cloud computing, data governance, and cybersecurity, support policy advocacy through consultation responses, briefing materials, and executive talking points, partner with commercial teams to support business development across government and regulated industries, and represent Cohere in industry associations, public-private partnerships, and policy forums across the Middle East.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & Stakeholder Engagement
- Partner with senior leadership, legal, public policy, and commercial teams to develop government affairs strategy
- Serve as Cohere’s primary government affairs representative, building trusted relationships with ministries and regulators
Policy Monitoring & Advocacy
- Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting AI, cloud computing, and data governance
- Support policy advocacy through consultation responses, briefing materials, and talking points
Business Development & Communications
- Partner with commercial and public sector sales teams to support business development opportunities
- Collaborate with communications teams on messaging regarding responsible AI and technology policy
Industry Representation & Compliance
- Represent Cohere in industry associations, public-private partnerships, and policy forums
- Ensure all government engagement and lobbying activities comply with applicable local laws and company policies
Qualifications & Requirements
Experience Requirements
- 7+ years of experience in government, a ministerial office, public policy, diplomacy, or corporate government affairs
- Strong understanding of the policymaking and regulatory landscape in the UAE or Saudi Arabia
- Experience building trusted relationships with senior government officials and public-sector stakeholders
Essential Skills
- Familiarity with AI policy, digital transformation, innovation policy, or technology regulation
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; professional Arabic highly desirable
- Strong analytical skills, translating complex policy developments into clear business implications
- An entrepreneurial, self-starter mentality with excellent stakeholder management skills
Educational Requirements
- Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations, public policy, law, business, or economics (or equivalent practical experience)
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional proficiency in Arabic
- Existing relationships with government stakeholders in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia
- Experience in enterprise software, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, or emerging technology
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. Cohere is training and deploying frontier models for enterprises building AI systems, believing its work is instrumental to the widespread adoption of AI. Headquartered in Toronto with key offices in London, New York City, San Francisco, Montreal, Paris, Berlin, and Seoul, Cohere offers full-time employees a weekly lunch stipend, full health and dental benefits, 6 weeks of paid vacation, and 100% parental leave top-up for up to 6 months.
Career Excellence: Shape AI policy across two of the world’s fastest-growing technology markets, representing a leading enterprise AI company at the highest levels of government across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Who Should Apply?
- Government Affairs Professionals:Â With 7+ years across government, diplomacy, or corporate public policy
- AI/Technology Policy Specialists:Â Familiar with digital transformation and technology regulation
- Arabic-English Bilingual Professionals:Â With professional proficiency in both languages
- GCC Government Relations Experts:Â With existing relationships across UAE and Saudi Arabia stakeholders
- Enterprise Tech Policy Leaders:Â With experience in cloud computing, AI, or emerging technology sectors
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