Ref:  

Position Title

Senior Executive Permits

Department

Media Regulation Sector

Section

Permits

Grade

Reporting To

Head of Permits

JOB PURPOSE

The Senior Executive Permits is responsible for managing higher-complexity permit applications, supervising daily permit operations, and supporting the Section Head Permits in delivering an efficient, compliant, and business-friendly permits function for media-related activities in Dubai. The role holder oversees complex, urgent, and priority permit requests relating to filming, production, events, and special media activities, while ensuring service levels, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder satisfaction are achieved. He/she acts as the senior operational team member within the Permits section, guiding junior staff, resolving escalations, improving workflows, and supporting coordination with government entities and strategic stakeholders. The role holder is expected to demonstrate strong teamwork skills and carry out his/her duties in accordance with the relevant business policies and procedures.   

No.

Key Focus Area

                                                    Key Accountabilities

1.   

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

2.   

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.

3.   

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.

4.   

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.

5.   

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.

6.   

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.

Job Specifications

Key Interactions & Nature of Interaction

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

Experience Required

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.