Communication Unit Head

Job Purpose:

Support the Communications Section Head in delivering the museum’s communications strategy and managing the day-to-day activities of the Communications Unit. The role leads earned and paid media and communications activity across the museum’s priority areas, proactively identifying opportunities to strengthen the museum’s profile, drive visitation and repeat engagement, and position its people and expertise nationally and internationally.

Responsibilities:

• Support the development and implementation of the museum’s communications strategy, annual plans and priority campaigns.
• Translate museum priorities into proactive communications campaigns, narratives and media opportunities.
• Lead national and international earned-media campaigns across exhibitions, programmes, collections, research and institutional initiatives.
• Identify compelling stories, thought-leadership opportunities and editorial angles that strengthen the museum’s profile and relevance.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local, regional and international journalists, editors and media partners.
• Lead media pitching, interviews, media visits, press trips and other media engagement opportunities.
• Oversee the development and quality of press releases, media advisories, briefing materials, Q&As, key messages, speeches and other communications materials.
• Support issues and crisis communications, monitor emerging reputational risks and support spokesperson preparation and media training.
• Manage and develop Communications Unit team members and oversee external PR and communications agencies.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and provide communications and media engagement advice.
• Monitor and evaluate communications performance against agreed objectives and KPIs to identify opportunities for improvement

Required Qualifications and Experience :

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or another relevant discipline. A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field is desirable.
• Minimum 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public relations, media relations and/or editorial roles.
• Strong track record of independently leading complex communications campaigns and securing high-quality earned media.
• Demonstrable experience managing agencies, projects, budgets and multiple concurrent priorities.
• Experience managing or supervising team members, including delegation, quality control, coaching and performance management.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with experience developing senior-level messaging, media materials and briefing documents.
• Strong experience in issues, reputation and crisis communications, including advising senior stakeholders and subject-matter experts on communications and media engagement.
• Experience working in a museum, cultural institution, heritage organisation, government entity, similarly complex public-facing organisation or PR agency is preferred.
• Experience developing national and international media strategies and relationships across top-tier outlets is preferred.
• Arabic and English bilingual capability is highly desirable