Public Policy Manager, Middle East

About Bolt Bolt is shaping a future where cities are built for people, not cars. What started as an ambitious project of a 19-year-old in 2013 has grown into a global mobility platform used by more than 200 million customers and 4.5 million driver and courier partners across 50 countries.

From ride-hailing and food delivery to scooters, e-bikes, and car-sharing, Bolt helps people move through cities every day. Small, autonomous teams drive this work, combining the speed and ownership of a startup with the scale of a global technology company backed by more than €1bn in funding.

And we're just getting started. Why join Bolt?

• Build the future of mobility and help transform how people live and move in cities.
• Tackle challenges at scale that span technology, operations, regulation, and growth.
• Take real ownership early. Small, lean teams mean your decisions matter from day one, and you'll learn fast alongside some of the best people in the industry.
• Join one of Europe's leading technology companies, backed by world-class investors including Sequoia.

About The Role This is a high-impact role at the intersection of policy, regulation, and business. You'll develop and execute public affairs strategies across multiple jurisdictions, build trusted relationships with government stakeholders, and represent Bolt in discussions that shape the future of mobility.

Working closely with Legal, Commercial, and Global Public Policy teams, you'll help navigate complex regulatory environments while ensuring our advocacy supports both our customers and long-term business objectives.

We're looking for a Public Policy Manager to lead Bolt's regulatory and government engagement across the Middle East. As Bolt continues to grow our ride-hailing, shared mobility, car-sharing, and food delivery businesses across the region, you'll play a critical role in enabling our operations through effective public policy, regulatory strategy, and stakeholder engagement.

You'll be the key partner for local, regional, and central teams, helping shape the policy environment while protecting and supporting Bolt's business. This role is based in London, with frequent travel across the Middle East, including Dubai, Riyadh, and other key markets.

Main Tasks And Responsibilities

• Develop and execute public affairs strategies that mitigate political, regulatory, and legislative risks across Middle Eastern markets.
• Build and manage trusted relationships with policymakers, regulators, government authorities, industry associations, and other external stakeholders.
• Represent Bolt in meetings, consultations, and policy forums while delivering clear, well-informed advocacy.
• Prepare policy papers, consultation responses, briefings, and other advocacy materials tailored to different political and regulatory environments.
• Partner closely with internal Legal, Commercial, and Operations teams to support business priorities and manage external public affairs advisers where required.

About You

• Proven experience influencing public policy, legislation, or regulatory outcomes in government, an in-house public policy function, regulatory body, or public affairs consultancy.
• Strong understanding of legislative and regulatory processes across multiple jurisdictions, ideally within the Middle East.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to build credibility and trusted relationships across government and industry.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Arabic, with the ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly.
• Existing government or policy networks within one or more Middle Eastern markets.
• Experience in technology, mobility, transport, marketplaces, or other highly regulated industries.

Why you’ll love it here

• Accelerate your professional growth with unique career opportunities.
• Enjoy a rewarding salary and stock options, knowing that as Bolt succeeds, so do you.
• Take care of your physical and mental health with our wellness perks.
• Celebrate 5 years at Bolt with a 1-month paid sabbatical to recharge.
• Connect with colleagues at annual company events and smaller team gatherings.
• Balance flexibility and in-person collaboration with our hybrid model, including at least 12 monthly in-office days.

Some perks may differ depending on your location and role. At Bolt, using AI daily is a baseline expectation for everyone. If there’s a faster, smarter way to do your work, we expect you to find it. You’re still responsible for the output, so the standard stays high when using AI tools.

Experience is great, but what we really look for is drive, intelligence, and integrity. So even if you don’t tick every box, please consider applying!

Everyone is welcome Bolt is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, colour, nationality, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are happy to make reasonable accommodations throughout our hiring process. If you require any adjustments, please let us know.