Senior Executive Permits

Reporting To

Job Purpose

General Responsibilities

• Implement the operational requirements for Permits, in line with the overall Permits strategy, vision and goals.
• Work collaboratively with the Permits team, to ensure smooth and on-time delivery of services to applicants
• Provide metrics and supporting documents to the Head of Permits, to support with the monthly KPI reports

Complex Permits Processing and Escalation Management

• Manage high-value, urgent, sensitive, or complex permit applications requiring senior review so that strategic projects and time-sensitive requests are processed efficiently and in line with regulatory requirements.
• Review permit submissions for filming, production, events, drone activity, and special media activities to ensure all documentation, approvals, and eligibility criteria are satisfied prior to issuance.
• Resolve escalated applications involving incomplete submissions, conflicting requirements, or compressed timelines so that avoidable delays are minimized and stakeholder confidence is maintained.
• Recommend approval pathways, conditions, or risk mitigation measures for non-standard applications to ensure sound decisions are made while enabling business activity where appropriate.
• Ensure priority and executive-level requests are progressed within agreed timelines so that the department delivers a responsive and enabling service model.

Daily Operations Supervision and Workflow Control

• Support oversight of daily permit queues, workloads, service levels, and turnaround times so that operational performance targets are consistently achieved.
• Guide Chief Executive and Executive team members on priorities, technical matters, and workflow issues to ensure consistent decision-making and quality service delivery.
• Monitor peak demand periods and recommend resource allocation adjustments so that service continuity is maintained during high-volume periods.
• Review completed work for quality, accuracy, and compliance to reduce rework, applicant frustration, and operational inefficiencies.
• Escalate recurring process issues or bottlenecks to the Section Head Permits with recommendations so that corrective improvements can be implemented quickly.

Government Coordination and Cross-Entity Approvals

• Coordinate with municipalities, police, aviation authorities, free zones, and other entities so that linked approvals are secured efficiently for permit issuance.
• Support fast-track approvals for strategic productions, VIP projects, and urgent requests so that Dubai remains an attractive destination for major media activity.
• Ensure external conditions or requirements are captured and communicated clearly to applicants to avoid confusion, non-compliance, or permit delays.
• Build effective working relationships with partner authorities so that collaboration becomes faster, smoother, and more predictable over time.
• Follow up on delayed approvals or unresolved matters to ensure applications continue progressing and do not stall unnecessarily.

Process Improvement and Digital Enablement

• Identify recurring delays, applicant errors, rejections, or service pain points so that practical improvements can be introduced.
• Support implementation of automation tools, digital workflows, and platform enhancements to improve turnaround times, transparency, and operational efficiency.
• Review templates, forms, guidance notes, and FAQs so that requirements are easier for applicants to understand and complete correctly.
• Contribute data and insights for KPI reporting and dashboards to support evidence-based management decisions.
• Participate in service redesign initiatives so that the permits experience becomes more seamless and business-friendly.

Stakeholder Service and Team Capability Building

• Provide high-quality support to applicants, production companies, and agencies regarding complex permit matters so that stakeholders receive clear guidance and confidence in the process.
• Handle escalated stakeholder concerns professionally to restore trust and protect the reputation of the department.
• Coach junior team members on permit categories, documentation standards, and service delivery expectations so that team capability continues to grow.
• Support onboarding and practical training of new employees to accelerate readiness and productivity.
• Promote a responsive, solution-oriented service culture so that applicants experience Dubai as efficient and enabling.

Internal

• Report to the Head of Permits regarding performance, escalations, and operational priorities.
• Guide Chief Executive and Executive team members on technical and workflow matters.
• Collaborate with colleagues within Permits to manage daily application queues and follow-up actions.
• Coordinate with Licensing and other internal department on linked approvals or dependencies.

External

• Handle inquiries from production teams, filming crews, or project managers regarding required permits.
• Liaise with Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, municipal offices, or logistics teams for location-specific permissions.
• Support international teams needing clarification on permit categories or approval pathways.

Technical Skills

• Advanced: Permit eligibility checks and documentation handling
• Advanced: Case logging and processing in permit systems
• Advanced: Knowledge of Dubai’s media zones and filming regulations
• Advanced: Event licensing, filming coordination, and regulatory logistics
• Advanced: Strong service orientation and response tracking
• Proficient: Command of written and spoken Arabic and English

Behavioural Competencies

• Evoking and Disseminating Positive Energy – Proficient
• Community Focus and Responsiveness to its Needs – Proficient
• Time Management and Task Prioritization – Proficient
• Excellence in Execution – Proficient
• Continuous Learning and Improvement – Proficient

Functional Experience

• 5+ years of experience in permitting, licensing, approvals, regulatory operations, or government service delivery.
• Experience with SLA-driven application or license processing
• Experience in a regulatory, media, events, production, or public service environment advantageous.

Leadership/Supervisory

• Experience guiding junior staff or leading workflows preferred.

Education And Qualification Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Media, Law, or Business Administration
• Certification in customer service or regulatory systems is a plus

Key Performance Indicators

• Permit Volume Processed – % increase in permits issued (filming, drone, events)
• Time to get Permits – Average application turnaround time
• First-Time Submission Accuracy Rate – % of submissions requiring no revisions
• Escalated Case Response Time – Average resolution time for exceptions or complex applications
• Stakeholder Query Resolution Rate – % of support requests closed on time (defined by SLAs)
• SLA Achievement Rate: Percentage of applications processed within agreed service timelines.

Education and Qualification Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Media, Law, or Business Administration
• Certification in customer service or regulatory systems is a plus

Key Performance Indicators

• Permit Volume Processed – % increase in permits issued (filming, drone, events)
• Time to get Permits – Average application turnaround time
• First-Time Submission Accuracy Rate – % of submissions requiring no revisions
• Escalated Case Response Time – Average resolution time for exceptions or complex applications
• Stakeholder Query Resolution Rate – % of support requests closed on time (defined by SLAs)
• SLA Achievement Rate: Percentage of applications processed within agreed service timelines.

About Dubai Media Council

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