Head of Business Setup & Corporate Services GCG STRUCTURING

HEAD OF BUSINESS SETUP & CORPORATE SERVICES Business Setup & Corporate Services Specialist/PRO (UAE Jurisdictions) Experience 5+ years hands-on UAE business setup / PRO / corporate services experience Role Summary We are hiring a highly experienced UAE business setup professional who can manage company formation, amendments, renewals, and compliance across Dubai Mainland and multiple Free Zones, and offshore incorporations (where applicable). This person must be able to handle each authority’s exact documentation, shareholding/directorship rules, activity approvals, lease/Ejari requirements, immigration establishment card, and timelines, while communicating confidently with government/free zone officers and senior client stakeholders. You will be responsible for a “no-surprises” setup experience: right structure, right activity, right approvals, right paperwork, right sequencing.

Key Responsibilities (must-have)1) End-to-end company formation (Mainland + Free Zones)

• Advise on the best jurisdiction based on activity, ownership, office/visa needs, and go-to-market plan.

• Manage the full lifecycle: name reservation, initial approvals, licensing, and post-license steps (immigration file, establishment card, etc.).

• Ensure the proposed setup complies with the rules of the relevant authority; Free Zones have their own regulations and processes.

• Understand mainland establishment route through the emirate’s DED/DET-type licensing pathway (e.g., Dubai DET platform).

2) MOA / AOA drafting, review, notarization coordination

Draft / review MOA and AOA (and relevant resolutions) aligned to:

• share capital, shareholding split, voting rights

• directors/managers powers, signing authority

• business objects/activities

• restrictions/approval conditions

Coordinate notary / authority attestations, typing centers for arabic translation, amendments, and re-issuance of updated company documents.

3) Offshore incorporations (where required)

• Handle offshore set-ups through recognized UAE offshore jurisdictions (e.g., JAFZA Offshore, RAK ICC) using correct channel requirements.

• Must understand that some offshore jurisdictions require working via approved/registered agents (e.g., RAK ICC uses registered agents).

• Know basic offshore incorporation rules such as shareholder requirements and permitted activities as per registrar guidance (e.g., JAFZA Offshore guidance).

4) Activity selection + approvals + restrictions

Master the activity-by-activity selection process (what is available / not available) across:

• Mainland (including regulated activities)

• Multiple Free Zones (activity lists differ by zone)

• Offshore (typically restricted to permitted registrar activities)

Proactively identify when an activity needs external approvals (e.g., regulated professional/financial/health/education/telecom, etc.) and manage the approval pathway.

5) Ownership / shareholding / directorship rules

• Advise on ownership structures, including foreign ownership eligibility for mainland where applicable (UAE allows 100% foreign ownership for many business types, subject to restrictions/requirements).

• Clearly explain where additional constraints apply (e.g., strategic/regulated sectors or special approvals).

• Ensure directors/managers meet eligibility requirements per authority and that signatories are correctly reflected in documents.

6) Documentation mastery (by authority)

Own and maintain an internal “documentation playbook” per authority, including but not limited to:

• KYC packs: passports, visas, EID (if applicable), entry stamps, proof of address, CVs, shareholding charts

• UBO declarations and corporate registries (where applicable)

• Board resolutions / POAs / specimen signatures

• Attestation requirements (home country + UAE, if required for corporate shareholders)

• Banking support documentation packages (as needed by banks)

7) Amendments, renewals, and ongoing corporate admin

• Handle amendments: activity changes, name change, manager/director change, share transfers, address change, capital changes, etc.

• Manage renewals: trade license renewals, establishment card renewals, tenancy renewals, and authority renewals—ensuring no expiry disrupts operations.

8) Lease / Ejari / office solutions (desk, flexi desk, office)

• Advise on physical presence requirements: flexi desk vs serviced office vs dedicated office, and their impact on licensing/visas.

• Manage Ejari process where required and coordinate with landlords/agents/centers.

• Understands the Ejari system which is a formal rental registration system in Dubai under RERA/Dubai Land Department.

• Ensure lease documents align with licensing/immigration needs.

9) Establishment card + immigration/labour coordination

• Manage establishment card / immigration file setup and renewals as needed for visas and immigration services.

• Understanding the establishment card issuance is handled through immigration authorities (e.g., Dubai GDRFA / ICP depending on emirate).

• Coordinate visa quota/space constraints with office lease choices.

10) Government / authority relationship management

• Confidently liaise with:

• Free Zone authorities

• Mainland licensing authority pathways

• Immigration authorities (GDRFA / ICP as applicable)

• Typing centers / Tas’heel / Amer (as applicable)

• Real estate/Ejari registration ecosystem

• Communicate clearly with “authority people” and resolve objections, rejections, and special cases fast.