Senior Director / UAE Country Lead – Strategic Communications

About the role

A globally minded strategic communications advisory firm is launching its UAE operations and is looking for a senior leader to set up and grow its presence in Abu Dhabi. This is an entrepreneurial opportunity for a commercially astute communications professional with strong UAE relationships and credibility with government and corporate leaders, who will build an advisory business from the ground up. The role sits at the intersection of corporate reputation, public affairs, government communications, stakeholder engagement and executive positioning.

Key responsibilities

• Establish and lead the firm's UAE operation, with Abu Dhabi as the primary market focus.
• Build trusted relationships with senior government, sovereign-linked, corporate and institutional leaders.
• Originate and convert new business, developing a sustainable pipeline of major client mandates.
• Advise senior clients on corporate reputation, strategic communications, public affairs, issues management and leadership positioning.
• Recruit, develop and lead a high-performing local team as the operation grows.
• Shape the firm's market profile and partnerships across the UAE.
• Work closely with international leadership and specialist teams on regional and global client opportunities.

Required profile

• Significant senior-level experience in strategic communications, corporate affairs, public affairs, reputation management or a related advisory field.
• A well-established, active network in Abu Dhabi, ideally across government, sovereign investors, major corporates, developers, energy, infrastructure, aviation, technology or financial services.
• A proven track record of winning and leading substantial client relationships.
• Experience leading teams, managing commercial performance and building a business, practice or office.
• Strong judgement, gravitas and credibility with CEOs, boards, ministers and senior stakeholders.
• An entrepreneurial mindset, comfortable creating the platform as well as leading the work.
• Arabic language capability is required.