Senior Manager Freezone Registration & Licensing

Overview

Strategic Planning

• Align registration and licensing operations with ADAFZ s 5-year business plan and Abu Dhabi Airports strategic objectives, KPIs, and scorecard metrics.
• Formulate annual departmental plans, targets, and performance indicators for continuous improvement.

Regulatory & Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinate with Abu Dhabi Regulatory Authority (ADRA) and other government entities including:
• Department of Economic Development

• Federal Tax Authority

• Ministry of Economy
• Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security
• Ensure harmonized regulatory and licensing processes across the three airports.
• Liaise with ADRA and Department of Economic Development to align trade license categories and definitions with ADRA systems.

Licensing & Registration Operations

• Develop ADAFZ formation, trade license, and shareholder affairs prerequisites.
• Manage end-to-end company registration, amendment, renewal, and deregistration processes.
• Supervise issuance and maintenance of:
• Trade licenses
• Light industrial licenses
• Incorporation certificates
• Share registers
• Related legal documentation
• Ensure licensed entities operate within approved activities and facility conditions.

Compliance & Legal Oversight

• Oversee shareholder and Ultimate Beneficiary Owner (UBO) documentation.
• Ensure compliance with:
• AML/CFT regulations

• Economic Substance Regulation (ESR)

• Other relevant regulatory frameworks
• Review and approve legal instruments including:
• Memorandum & Articles of Association
• Board Resolutions
• Powers of Attorney
• Ensure compliance with ADAFZ regulations and UAE laws.

Process Improvement & Technology

• Conduct benchmarking with other free zones to ensure competitiveness in services, tariffs, service delivery timelines, and pricing.
• Implement benchmarking initiatives to maintain competitive pricing of ADAFZ products and services.
• Lead automation initiatives and CRM platform enhancements to improve workflows and customer experience.
• Identify technology needs to drive automation within the department.

Records, Reporting & Quality

• Maintain robust records and document management systems ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.
• Manage customer complaints and implement service recovery plans.
• Ensure adherence to departmental policies and procedures.
• Provide input into periodic audits of policies and procedures.
• Contribute to periodic management reports and recommend corrective actions for quality or compliance issues.

Change Management & Performance

• Support execution of change management initiatives.
• Provide input toward departmental budget preparation.
• Achieve departmental objectives and support team performance goals.

Professional Development

• Identify and pursue professional development opportunities.
• Participate in performance appraisals and implement development feedback.

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Promote a safety-first culture within the team.
• Conduct internal safety checks and support audit readiness.
• Identify and report HSE risks, incidents, and unsafe conditions.
• Implement corrective actions based on audit findings.
• Comply with organizational HSE policies and attend mandatory HSE training.

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in Business Development.
• Minimum 5 years in a similar leadership role.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Customer-oriented approach
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong leadership capabilities
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Organizational and time-management skills
• Tech-savvy with an understanding of automation and CRM systems