Strategic Communications Manager

To lead the Strategic Communications vertical and execute all strategic and external communication responsibilities for the company including strategic planning, leadership positioning, knowledge management, content development, reputation monitoring, agency contract development and oversight (for public relations, social media, media monitoring and website agencies), and crisis management.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Strategic Communications Strategy and Management:
   Develops and oversees the Corporate Communications Strategy and the delivery of all external communication functions.
   Leads the Strategic Communications vertical for the company and its related portfolio of assets and projects.
   Builds and maintains relationships with key assets and projects and supports across all external communications function activities as required.
2. Content Development:
   Responsible for leadership positioning and content development for the company's Chair and CEO, including development of the monthly company Board Memo.
   Executes on content development needs, and reviews and edits external content as needed e.g. public domain reports, speeches, press releases, and articles as needed.
3. Media Management:
   Oversees all media engagement needs ranging from planning, media interviews, press conferences to coverage reports.
   Oversees all social media content and digital content needs for corporate purposes, and those related to assets and projects.
   Leads daily media monitoring and alerts leadership and senior team members of potential reputational impact.
4. Agency Management:
   Develops and manages agency contracts across advisory, public relations, media monitoring, social media and website maintenance.
5. Crisis Communication Management:
   Leads on issues and crisis communications across local and international situations that arise. Responsibilities include developing the corporate crisis manual and holding statements as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline
2. Master's degree in a relevant discipline is an advantage

EXPERIENCE:

1. Experience in the strategic communication, public relations, or corporate communications industry
2. Proven experience as an in-house or consultant of communications/public relations
3. Demonstrable experience in managing engagement with stakeholders at the senior government / ministerial level
4. Proven experience in programme management, communications and/or public relations
5. Strong record of leading successful strategic communication project outputs delivery
6. Experience in delivering complex, multi-stakeholder project work stream, preferably in the public sector

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

1. Knowledge and understanding of the UAE government landscape
2. Strong educational and practical background in project management (i.e. project scoping/design, project planning and implementation, and quality management)
3. Withholding a professional network across Abu Dhabi entities to facilitate partnership development
4. Ability to effectively mentor junior team members and provide constructive feedback
5. Ability to propose and present solutions to the senior managerial level
6. Strong communication skills; written and verbal, formal and informal
7. Ability to manage conflict and solve problems as they arise
8. Exceptional time management and organizational skills with meeting set deadlines and attention to detail
9. An ability to understand new concepts quickly across a variety of fields (education, government policy, etc.)
10. An ability to understand the local and regional geopolitical context, as well as new concepts quickly across a variety of fields (education, government policy, etc.)