In 1972, Mutawa started his career as the head of youth activities at the then-labor and social affairs ministry.[1] In 1974, he began to serve at the prime minister's office.[2] In 1977, he was appointed executive director of the office which he held until 1993.[2] He served as the minister of cabinet affairs from 1993 to 2005.[2] From 26 June 1995 to 2001, he served as the minister of information.[2][3] In 2001, he was appointed minister of the premier's affairs.[1] From 2002 to 2006, he served as the minister of the cabinet affairs.[1]
Mutawa was appointed cultural affairs advisor to prime minister in 2005.[2] In 2009, he was nominated by Bahrain for the post of the general secretary of the Gulf Cooperation Council while serving as cultural affairs advisor.[4] However, his nomination was not endorsed by Qatar.[5][6] As a result of Qatar's objection over his nomination, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani was nominated by Bahrain for the post.[7]
Mutawa was named as state minister for follow-up in 2010.[8][9] His term ended in June 2022 when a new cabinet was announced by the King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.[10][11] During his long term in the Bahraini cabinets Mutawa was among the closest and powerful ministers of the former Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.[11]