Immigration & Government Relations Specialist - Orthopedics

Company Overview

Johnson & Johnson MedTech focuses on healthcare innovation, aiming to prevent, treat, and cure complex diseases with smarter, less invasive, and more personalized solutions, particularly within Orthopedics. The Orthopedics division contributes significantly by supporting over 6 million patients annually through advanced treatments in joint reconstruction, trauma, sports extremities, spine, and digital surgery technologies.

Role Summary

The Immigration & Government Relations Specialist position is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is a full-time role. This role involves managing all immigration, foreign workforce, and government compliance activities related to the company's operations in Saudi Arabia, ensuring adherence to immigration regulations, maintaining proper work authorizations, and collaborating with government entities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the full immigration lifecycle for foreign employees in Saudi Arabia, ensuring valid work permits and residency documentation (Iqama).
• Draft and maintain employment contracts for non-Saudi workers compliant with local laws.
• Coordinate with ministries and government bodies regarding immigration payments, renewals, approvals, and documentation legalization.
• Manage international recruitment by handling visa applications, employment contract attestations, and ensuring regulatory compliance for overseas hires.
• Administer sponsorship transfer (Kafala transfer) processes, securing necessary approvals and fulfilling regulatory requirements.
• Act as administrator and key contact for government platforms such as QIWA, GOSI, and other workforce compliance systems.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with labor and immigration regulations to maintain company eligibility for foreign workforce sponsorship.
• Process exit, re-entry, and travel permits for employees, providing guidance on mobility and authorization matters.
• Support renewal of business licenses and government registrations impacting sponsorship and immigration, including Ministry of Investment licenses and commercial registrations.
• Monitor regulatory changes affecting immigration and labor compliance, managing risks and ensuring timely submission of all required filings.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is mandatory.
• Must be a Saudi national due to Saudization employment regulations.
• Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English is essential.
• Proven experience in immigration and government relations within Saudi Arabia, including familiarity with local immigration laws and government platforms (QIWA, GOSI).
• Prior involvement in managing expatriate employee immigration processes such as business visas, work visas, entry/exit permits, and Iqama renewals.
• Experience in multinational corporations with demonstrated ability to function in diverse cultural and business environments.

Additional Information

Johnson & Johnson intends to separate its Orthopaedics business into an independent company, DePuy Synthes, projected within 18 to 24 months. Employment terms may transition accordingly after this separation, with details provided at that time.

Required Skills

• Strong government relations and regulatory compliance knowledge
• Effective communication and advocacy capabilities
• Compliance reporting and data management
• Relationship building and stakeholder management
• Problem-solving and issue escalation proficiency
• Technical documentation and corporate communications