Planner/Strategist

About Weber Shandwick MENAT

We are a leading full-service integrated communications and marketing services agency that delivers industry-defining work and next-generation solutions for brands, businesses, and organisations. In the Middle East, North Africa & Turkey (MENAT) region, we have a hyperconnected, award-winning network with a presence in 13 cities, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Kuwait, Doha, and Istanbul.

Our team comprises social media experts, digital specialists, creatives, strategists, analysts, and PR professionals who believe in the power of collaboration to deliver high-value, high-impact communications and business solutions for our clients. By welcoming outstanding and diverse talent to our team, we complement our sector expertise with specialisms such as content, content production, creative design, creative technology, digital platforms, influencer marketing, integrated media, media relations, social strategy and engagement, strategic planning, and video production.

We were named the PRovoke Global Agency of the Decade (2020), PRWeek Global Best Agency in Middle East (2023, 2020), PRCA MENA Large Consultancy of the Year (2023, 2022, 2021), and PRCA MENA Digital Team of the Year (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020). We were also included on Ad Age's Agency A-List in 2024 and 2020, in addition to the top 10 of Great Place to Work UAE (2023).

What's happening

Join a highly creative multi-disciplined global communications agency for the amazing opportunity to work on some of the best brands in the world, draw on all the resources of a top global networked agency, and thrive in an entrepreneurial environment.

This is an exciting time as we evolve and grow our Strategy & Analytics function. You will work with some of the world's biggest brands to unlock the power of earned and add value to culture and communities.

Who do we need

We are looking for a planner/strategist at a managerial level to create earned-first strategies and partner with account teams from brief to delivery. You will work hand in hand with our Strategy Director and client leads to develop strategies to help us solve fascinating briefs and inform the creative and execution for world-leading clients.

What will you be doing

• Create earned-first strategies for some of the world's biggest award-winning brands in consumer lifestyle, FMCG, automotive, finance, technology, tourism, government, and more.
• Support the campaign lifecycle from brief to execution. Work within the Strategic Planning team, along with clients and account teams, on the development of idea-led programmes and tactical plans.
• Develop new business acumen through supporting the preparation of pitch materials and shadowing elements of a pitch.
• Employ research techniques (including market resources, such as social and traditional media monitoring tools, syndicated data sets, trend reports, and expert interviews) to provide impactful findings across relevant category, company, culture, and audience.
• Develop data-driven insights and concepts that reflect the needs of the audience and the business objectives to inform creative briefs and strategies.
• Go beyond collating findings to arrive at novel, interesting conclusions or implications in partnership with and with guidance from strategic planning leads.
• Be part of Weber Shandwick's global network of 85+ strategists and 150+ analysts.

What do you need to apply for this role

• 4+ years of experience
• Professional level English, Arabic desirable
• High level of problem-solving skills and accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines
• Experience in a PR, creative, media, or digital agency would be beneficial