Media Relations Specialist (Arabic-speaking)

Edelman Smithfield is a global financial communications firm with the power and scope of Edelman, the world’s largest integrated communications company. We specialize in financial markets and strategic situations, serving clients in the United States, Canada, EMEA, APAC, and beyond. Edelman Smithfield offers a deep and talented bench of approximately 250 financial market specialists across more than 25 cities and 15 countries.

Edelman Smithfield advises senior leaders and management teams navigating complex matters that impact reputation and valuation and has deep expertise in serving and communicating to the financial markets.

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Media Relations Specialist with deep expertise in the Saudi media landscape. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of building and maintaining strong relationships with top-tier media outlets in the Kingdom, and the ability to offer strategic media counsel to clients. Whether coming from a communications agency or a journalism background, the successful candidate will bring a high level of editorial judgment, media insight, and storytelling skill — especially in Arabic.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Serve as a senior media advisor to Edelman clients in Saudi Arabia.
2. Develop and execute strategic media relations plans that secure impactful coverage.
3. Leverage strong relationships with key media in Saudi Arabia to proactively pitch stories, manage interviews, and coordinate media opportunities.
4. Act as a spokesperson or media liaison where needed.
5. Draft high-quality Arabic content including press releases, opinion pieces, speeches, and other editorial materials.
6. Monitor news trends and advise clients on opportunities, issues, and risks.
7. Collaborate closely with internal account teams and support new business efforts when required.

Qualifications:

1. Strong experience in media relations, journalism, or public relations, preferably within Saudi Arabia.
2. Established relationships with journalists, editors, and media outlets across Saudi Arabia.
3. Native-level Arabic writing and speaking skills; English fluency is a plus.
4. Strong copywriting and content development capabilities in Arabic.
5. Ability to think strategically and act tactically in a fast-paced environment.
6. Previous experience in a communications agency is a plus, but not required.

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.