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Come join us in delivering better outcomes for our clients around the world! 

We are looking for a Corporate Communications Manager, Middle East and Africa to join our team in Dubai.

Global Corporate Communications is responsible for coordinating all PR, media relations and corporate communications activities for the retail and institutional channels in the region.

Reporting to the Head of Corporate Communications-EMEA (HCCE), the Corporate Communications Manager, Middle East and Africa will be responsible for the press office and day to day management of media activity in the Middle East and Africa regions and developing a comprehensive PR strategy that aligns with key business objectives. The main focus countries are UAE, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

What are the ongoing responsibilities of this position?

Managing the press office and day to day media activities:   

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with influential journalists across the region.

• Proactively draft press releases, placed articles, press statements, Q&As and interview talking points.

• Lead creative pitch campaigns to promote our capabilities and various asset classes across retail and institutional channels in line with sales and marketing efforts.

• Develop / support specific campaigns in line with business objectives.

• Support on strategic initiatives around ESG, diversity & inclusion, women in investment and others.

• Identify and develop thought leadership opportunities to showcase the group’s investment expertise.

• Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with distribution teams, and marketing in setting goals, creating a comprehensive and integrated communications strategy and communicating PR strategy and effectiveness.

• Provide PR activity support at key regional conferences and during portfolio manager visits.

• Build and strengthen existing media relationships with relevant Middle East reporters and target and develop new relationships

PR agency management

• Develop and maintain a strong relationship and work closely with the local PR agency to set, monitor and communicate on agreed PR activity for the region.

• Train agencies on FT capabilities, specialist investment managers, product offerings, messages and key material.

• Work closely with local market PR agencies and country heads / marketing leads to develop and execute on local PR objectives within allocated budget.

• Leverage FT content with PR agency partners and help to coordinate media outreach and prioritization of media engagement.

Developing Communications collateral to support EMEA product development efforts.

• Develop press releases, statements, FAQs and communications related changes regarding fund launches, mergers and closures.

• Understanding product priorities and using commercial acumen to deliver appropriate medium for product communications externally.

• Collaborate with Corp Comms EMEA team members to coordinate distribution of collateral.

Media Training (Train/Coach/Support Spokespeople & Others)

• Provide regular coaching and guidance in message development for Middle East & Africa spokespeople – including provision of media briefing notes and joining for media interviews.

• Conduct media training for spokespeople and provide direction and feedback in preparation for print interviews and TV appearances.

PR Measurement and Evaluation

• Maintain detailed records of media relations activity.

• Review and report on press activity on a regular basis.

• Evaluate PR agency’s performance

What qualifications, skills and experience would help someone to be successful?

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Journalism or Communication or equivalent work experience.

• 7-9 years of relevant PR experience across one or all business channels (retail and institutional) within an asset management environment.

• Thorough understanding of strategic communication and the financial industry is essential.

• Experience of working with asset management firms and product knowledge are important.

• Superior writing and editing skills required. Experience writing for a variety of communication vehicles: press releases, newsletters, memos, Intranet content, talking points, presentations, video, etc.

• Arabic language preferred

• Strong team player. Coordinates and follows guidance for consistency across region.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels.

• Ability to build strong media relationships. 

• Ability to work in a matrix structure with multiple stakeholders.

• Must be adept at handling multiple projects simultaneously, setting priorities and achieving objectives.

• Must possess exceptional interpersonal skills and be assertive and relentless in the pursuit of making certain that company news gets appropriate attention among the media and the public.

• Able to partner with a diverse set of stakeholders and communicate across various levels of management.

• Able to represent the group and company in a professional manner at all times.

• Able to present intelligent solutions and processes for solving difficult problems.

• Able to make decisions and manage follow-through.

• Encourages others to achieve objectives through effective use of planning, prioritizing and goal setting.

• Proven ability to manage PR Agency teams. The ability to stimulate creativity is critical.

• Ad-hoc regional travel may be required.

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