Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) announced Sunday two decisions to increase the mandatory employment rate of Saudi nationals in marketing and sales professions to 60 percent.
The measures, announced Jan. 19, aim to boost local participation in specialized roles and create more job opportunities for Saudi talent across the private sector, according to the ministry.
Marketing Roles
Under the first decision, the Saudization rate for private-sector marketing positions will rise to 60 percent. The rule applies to establishments with three or more employees in marketing roles, with a minimum monthly wage set at SAR 5,500.
Targeted positions include marketing manager, advertising manager, advertising agent, graphic designer, advertising designer, public relations specialist, marketing specialist, public relations manager, and photographer.
The decision will take effect three months after the announcement, on April 19, 2026, giving companies time to comply.
Sales Roles
The second decision raises the Saudization rate for private-sector sales roles to 60 percent. It applies to establishments employing three or more staff in sales positions.
Covered roles include sales manager, retail and wholesale sales representatives, ICT sales specialist, sales specialist, commercial specialist, and commodity broker. Implementation will also begin April 19, 2026, following the three-month grace period.
Support and Compliance
The HRSD said private-sector establishments will benefit from support measures, including recruitment, training, qualification, and job stability programs. Priority access to initiatives offered by the Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf) will also be provided, according to the ministry.
The ministry said the decisions are based on labor market analyses that reflect the number of job seekers in relevant fields and current and future needs in the marketing and sales sectors.
A procedural guide outlining targeted professions, Saudization calculation methods, and compliance requirements has been published on the ministry’s website. The HRSD urged all covered establishments to comply within the grace period to avoid regulatory penalties.