Head of Corporate Communication.MCG -Marketing and Communications Group (UAE Nationals)

The Head of Corporate Communications is a strategic leadership role responsible for shaping and executing the bank’s global corporate communications strategy. This position oversees all facets of external and internal communications, content development, and social media management, while leveraging data-driven insights to enhance brand relevance and resonance across diverse markets.

Corporate Communications:
Thought Leadership, Public Relations, Awards and Conferences. 
-    Build and lead the PR strategy bank-wide in line with the strategic priorities for the bank. 
-    Identify global PR opportunities and partnerships to create unique and impactful communication and deliver thought leadership through relevant platforms. 
-    Lead and provide strategic direction for Mashreq PR and social media to meet Brand KPIs for the year to increase awareness and consideration and ultimately the Brand Finance rankings and position linked to targets set for 2025 and beyond 
-    Work closely with EXCO to build and execute thought leadership and communication strategy for effective corporate storytelling.
-    Work closely with Center Of Excellence leadership and local agencies to increase Share Of Voice with relevant messaging in local media 
-    Work with local marketing teams and PR agencies to ensure consistent messaging
-    Crisis management and communications. 
-    Amplify corporate messaging through paid engagement and amplified PR. 
-    Identify external opportunities & engage with external industry stakeholders to secure relevant earned/sponsored opportunities for EXCO members. 
-    Identify opportunities for leadership participation in industry conferences, and support with relevant corporate and brand messaging. 
-    Lead the PR team in providing strategic direction, product related Information/campaign info on all submissions for the participation of the bank in various local and International Awards. 
-    Leading major bank-wide events including media launches

Internal Communications:
-    Work with EXCO to ensure consistent messaging across all forums including Townhalls, corporate comms broadcast, intranet etc.
-    Work on Corporate Communication messaging for various initiatives – drafting, reviewing and ensuring the messaging is on brand and in line with the thought leadership and other stakeholders/groups
-    Lead culture communication across teams and agencies to ensure consistent messaging internally and externally. 
-    Support other business units and functions for effective positioning and employee messaging.  
-    Manage and maintain internal communication on the Intranet

Content Management:
-     Lead the development of a holistic content strategy across various marketing channels, ensuring  alignment with brand messaging, target audience, and overarching business objectives.
-     Oversee the creation, curation, and distribution of content across multiple channels, including digital, print, video, and more, ensuring consistency and relevance to the brand's identity.
-    Continuously evaluate and optimize content performance, leveraging data and insights to drive engagement, conversions, and brand affinity.
- Define and implement an integrated content marketing strategy, across key channels including company earned media (PR), paid media (cross-channel advertising, advertorials), website, social media channels, intranet, among others - in English and Arabic - to boost audience understanding of the brand and key initiatives
        - Ensure content created and published is compelling and consistent in style, quality, and tone of voice
    - Channel optimisation, brand consistency and meaningful measurement of content impact.

Social Strategy and Channel Management 
- Develop and implement a comprehensive social media strategy to elevate the organization's online presence and engagement, aligning with the overall brand and marketing goals.
- Oversee the management and optimization of all social media channels, identifying opportunities for growth, engagement, and strengthening brand loyalty.
- Analyze social media data and insights to continuously refine the social strategy, ensuring that it remains effective and aligns with the organization's strategic objectives.
-    Enhance brand reputation and stakeholder engagement through social media.
-    Identify the right social media agency partners, set-up the scope of work, negotiate costs and deliverables, and provide high-level direction towards execution of brand communications across channels are compelling, creative and consistent and impactful
-    Ensure all social channels and content are aligned with the overall brand strategy, with consistent messaging, tonality and brand voice  

ESG brand strategy and communication 
-    Provide strategic, high-level direction towards the development & delivery of brand and communication campaigns related to ESG in alignment with the business’ wider strategies and goals 
-    Drive bank-wide communications and stakeholder collaboration for critical ESG initiatives and other international partnerships 
-    Ensure all marketing aspects such as Events, Digital, PR & Research, are leveraged effectively to achieve significant results
-    Track and review campaign performance and provide strategic recommendations to implement learnings 
-    Report key campaign performance and overall ESG communications impact to the EXCO on a quarterly/half-yearly basis.

• Team Management:
•     Recruit, induct, train, engage and mentor the communications team across all regions. 
•     Communicate and manage priorities with ongoing interactions, feedback and recognition. 
•     Ensure the team has a customized learning and development relevant to their career and personal growth.

Agency management:
-    End-to-end agency management at a strategic-level – including identifying the right partners, creating business goals-aligned SOWs, negotiations and execution, review and feedback – including media, PR, social, SEO and content development and marketing – globally, including but not restricted to UAE, Egypt, MGN locations (Egypt, Pakistan, Oman, India) and the International Banking Group countries.. 
-    Ensure growing ROI through effective partnering with agency partners and ensure that the Bank gets the desired output and impact for spends.
-    Quarterly performance reviews to ensure operational efficiency across agency partners.
-      Oversee relationships with external agencies, ensuring that they align with the      
       organization's strategic vision and deliver high-quality services and results.
-     Manage the selection, onboarding, and performance evaluation of agencies, setting clear  
     KPIs and expectations to drive accountability and excellence.
-    Collaborate with agencies to develop integrated marketing and PR campaigns, ensuring coherence and synergy across all communications.

Budget Management:
-    Plan and manage the corporate communications budget, keep a tight control on vertical wise budget, and manage the monthly provisions that are submitted to the CAD and PMAD and reporting to Group Head. 
-    Negotiate with agencies alongside procurement team to ensure efficient budget spends.

•    A minimum of 18–20 years of experience in Marketing, Branding, and/or Advertising, preferably within the banking or financial services sector, with a strong focus on the Middle East region.
•    Led a global team for communication and integrated agency management
•    The ideal candidate will be fluent in both English and Arabic, with exceptional communication and presentation skills that enable effective engagement across diverse audiences.
•    Well-versed in modern marketing trends and concepts, with the ability to contribute fresh, creative ideas that align with contemporary comms strategies
•    Sound knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, and analyzing expense for various activities.
•    Proven success in building relationships both internally and with external parties 
•    Strong interpersonal skills
•    Team player
•    Highly organized