Communications Director (Secondee, Abu Dhabi)

About the role

This is a secondee Communications Director position based in Abu Dhabi, reporting to the Vice Presidents. The successful candidate is embedded in the client's organisation and works from the client's office on selected days each week, acting as a strategic communications partner while staying aligned with agency leadership and internal teams.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and overall ownership of the assigned client, as the primary senior point of contact and trusted advisor, ensuring long-term growth and excellence in communications delivery.
• Lead, manage and inspire the communications team across Director, Communications Manager and Executive levels, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture.
• Serve as the face of the team for clients, media and key stakeholders, representing the client and The Qode with confidence and authority.
• Oversee the development and execution of integrated communications strategies aligned with client objectives and business goals.
• Drive innovation and operational efficiency by improving team processes, workflows and service delivery.
• Lead crisis communications and reputation management, proactively identifying risks and guiding response strategies.
• Maintain regular communication with senior management on account performance, team capacity, risks and opportunities.
• Support the conceptualisation and execution of client events, campaigns and key initiatives, and plan resources to support account delivery, team wellbeing and project execution.
• Act as a bridge between senior management and delivery teams, working with the Vice Presidents to implement strategic plans that drive business growth, client retention and operational excellence.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in PR, marketing, management or a related field.
• Minimum 10-15 years of experience in PR; GCC experience is essential.
• Proven experience in corporate PR, preferably in complex, multi-stakeholder environments, and a Director-level role for at least 2 years.
• Strong agency background with a solid understanding of communications strategy and agency operations.
• Experience managing government entities and direct client reporting.
• Fluency in Arabic, with excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication in Arabic and English.
• Experience developing processes and structures to improve team efficiency, and leading teams in strategy development and client relations.
• Willingness to travel for work as required.

Required skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Expertise in crisis communication and brand reputation management.
• Understanding of global market trends, especially in luxury fashion and lifestyle sectors.