Senior PR & Communications Manager

We are looking for an exceptional Senior PR and Communications Manager to join our Marketing and Communications team as our business continues to grow and expand across the MENA region. This senior role is critical in shaping and promoting our brand narrative across multiple platforms, enhancing our corporate image, and building strong relationships with media around the region and globally, as well as our internal and global stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in public relations and communications, with a proven ability to craft compelling content and manage media campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences, all while working in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive MENA-wide PR and communications strategy, including for internal communications, that enhances the company's brand and reputation, both at a brand level and at service line levels, leveraging and underpinned by our world-class research content.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, influencers, government representatives, company representatives and other media professionals around the MENA region, as well as globally by leveraging the Knight Frank global network and by collaborating with support from our PR and Communications Specialist, Acting Head of Marcoms and Head of Research.
• Write and/or edit captivating press releases, media pitches, and other external communications materials to ensure consistency, accuracy of messaging and relevance to the media.
• Proactively produce exceptional reactive social content on market developments, aligned with the annual research program, with support from our PR and Communications Specialist and the Head of Research.
• Write and/or edit internal documents such as brochures, articles, editorials, blog posts, social and video content to maintain the brand's positioning, reputation and expertise, with support from our PR and Communications Specialist.
• Manage deliverables supported by external PR agencies as well as the deliverables from the internal PR and marketing team to create engaging content that supports the MENA PR strategy, such as blog posts, white papers, and case studies.
• Manage, develop and foster influencer relationships and identify opportunities for partnerships, collaborations, and sponsored content across all the MENA territories we operate in.
• Identify and secure speaking opportunities, interviews, round table discussions, and panel discussions for key spokespeople, with support from our PR and Communications Specialist, Acting Head of Marcoms and Head of Research.
• Manage logistics and preparation for internal and external events and speaking engagements, including coordination with event organisers and speakers, preparation of talking points, development of presentation materials and coordination with media in attendance, or as needed.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure that messaging is consistent across all channels, ensuring at all times to leverage our research content.
• Track and report on media coverage and PR metrics to assess the effectiveness of PR campaigns, and convey this in an engaging and compelling way to senior stakeholders.
• Manage a team of content writers and PR specialists, providing guidance and mentorship as needed.
• Write and edit clear, concise, and engaging copy content for a variety of marketing channels, including press releases, website copy, social media, newsletters, brochures, and other marketing materials.
• Manage the dispatch of press releases to media outlets, journalists, and other stakeholders through our PR and Communications Specialist.
• Follow up with press to ensure coverage of press releases and other news stories.
• Conduct research and gather information to develop accurate and informative content.
• Collaborate with designers and other creative team members in Marcoms to develop visually compelling marketing materials.
• Develop and maintain a consistent brand voice and tone across all marketing channels.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices in copywriting and marketing.
• Strong working knowledge of property keywords targeting and experience of optimise all written website content for SEO.
• Work closely with the SEO and digital marketing team to help develop and implement a content-rich website strategy to ensure Knight Frank are at the top of relevant Google searches.
• With our PR and Communications Specialist, create content for various kinds of social media marketing and publish engaging content.
• Stay up to date with SEO and digital marketing developments and propose new ideas to enhance our written property content.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field. A Master's degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 8+ years of experience in PR and communications, preferably within the real estate sector in the Middle East.
• 3+ years experience managing people.
• UK experience is advantageous.
• Experience working with government entities or with government communications.
• An understanding of property markets, real estate sectors and their drivers will be critical for success in this role.
• Demonstrable success in media relations, content creation, and campaign management.
• Native English writing, editing and proofreading skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives tailored to various audiences.
• Proven ability to develop and implement effective PR strategies.
• Strong media relations skills and established relationships with journalists, influencers, and other media professionals across the MENA region.
• Experience managing influencer relationships and identifying partnership opportunities.
• Experience managing speaking opportunities, interviews, round table discussions, and panel discussions for key members of an organization.
• Ability to facilitate projects across a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage and develop relationships with internal stakeholders across multiple territories.