Role Summary:

This position will lead the US-based advocacy efforts for our Gulf businesses across 5 key markets (UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain) and will support the defense and expansion of MetLife’s business in the region. The role supports the efforts of the EMEA GR Head (based in Washington, DC), managing the group’s external relationships in the Gulf, ensuring that every opportunity is created and taken to support and represent the interests of the group with trade associations, government agencies, regulatory and industry stakeholders. Under the supervision of the VP EMEA GR, the role will represent the interests of MetLife with governments, regulators, trade associations and other stakeholders to advance the company’s business objectives. The role entails developing strong internal and external relationships, working with various lines of business to develop company-wide policy positions on critical business issues, and ultimately influence public policy outcomes across the region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Be a trusted advisor to the Head EMEA Government Relations and Gulf-based business partners on regulatory developments affecting the region.
• Produce and execute an agreed set of government relations objectives that support business goals in the region.
• Build, maintain, and manage deep and trusted relationships with key government officials, regulatory bodies, and relevant trade associations throughout our Gulf markets, proactively ensuring the appropriate individuals are fully briefed and supportive of the group’s interests, to further our business objectives.
• Support regular business partner contact with key policymakers, regulators, and association partners.
• Monitor the regulatory and political landscape for threats to and opportunities for MetLife’s business throughout the Gulf region and communicate this intelligence to business leaders and functional colleagues. This will involve providing up-to-date, clearly written analyses of such developments, showing the impact on the business, working out scenarios and recommending appropriate action.
• Represent the group in responding to legislative, regulatory, and policy output concerning our Gulf markets, co-ordinating and formulating policy responses and leading the drafting and writing of working documents and messages to make timely written and oral representations to defend, support and present the group’s concerns at every possible opportunity.
• Be acutely aware of potential global implications of local and regional issues and coordinate their management with functional and global colleagues.
• Represent Metlife in trade associations and government stakeholder business groups and develop a strong network of external relationships across the wider business community.
• Coordinate actively with regional and global business lines and work closely with the Legal, Compliance and Risk departments.

Position Requirements:

• 10+ years of relevant experience in international government relations or related experience
• Extensive experience working in government/regulatory affairs with a detailed knowledge of the functioning of political institutions and policy-making processes
• Demonstrated excellence in analytical, written and oral communication skills
• Financial services experience preferred
• Familiarity with Arabic language & experience working in the Gulf preferred
• Undergraduate degree required, master’s degree in international Relations or other advanced degree preferred

Rationale:

MetLife Gulf requires active engagement with regulators and policy makers in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and UAE.  These not only include our insurance regulators in each market, but also the Ministries/Departments of Health who also have oversight of parts of our business.  In addition, given the nature of our hub and spoke model, active engagement is also required with the Data Protection Authorities and Ministries of Labor, to advocate for balanced policies on data protection and localization.  Given the pace of change and limited formal consultation processes, it is critical to develop trusted relationships with these stakeholders and proactively represent MetLife to advance and defend our business objectives.  There are clear demands from our business partners for greater advocacy in the region to support their work, driving the urgent need to create and fill this role quickly. 

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