Communications Manager (Government & Public Affairs)

Confidential; Dubai; On-site; AED 320,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking an experienced communications leader to direct government and regulatory stakeholder engagement in the UAE. The role focuses on protecting and building the company’s reputation with ministries, regulators, and public bodies, ensuring messaging aligns with national priorities.

Responsibilities include developing comms strategies, preparing senior leadership briefings, and managing media, internal, and crisis communications.

Qualifications

• 8-12 years of progressive communications experience.
• At least 4 years working directly with government or regulatory stakeholders.
• Experience in a regulated or government-linked sector preferred.
• Proven experience managing sensitive issues and crisis communications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a government and stakeholder communications strategy.
• Prepare briefing notes, position papers, talking points, and formal correspondence for senior leaders with government officials.
• Manage media relations, press releases, and spokesperson preparation.
• Lead crisis communications planning and coordination with government/regulators during incidents.
• Oversee corporate messaging, annual reports, and executive communications.
• Plan and deliver government-facing events, delegations, forums, and conferences.
• Ensure communications comply with laws, regulations, and company policy.

Skills

Crisis communications

Stakeholder relations

Media relations

Policy monitoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Political Science, Journalism, or related field

Master's degree (advantage)

Job description

Lead the company's external and internal communications with a strong focus on government and regulatory stakeholders. The role protects and builds the company's reputation with ministries, regulators, and public bodies. It ensures all messaging is accurate, consistent, and aligned with national priorities and policy.

Key Responsibilities

Government and Stakeholder Communications

• Develop and execute a communications strategy that supports the company's engagement with government entities, regulators, and public-sector partners.
• Prepare briefing notes, position papers, talking points, and formal correspondence for senior leaders' meetings with government officials.
• Support government relations in managing relationships with key ministries, authorities, and industry bodies.
• Monitor policy, regulatory, and political developments, and advise leadership on communications implications.

Media and Public Affairs

• Manage media relations, press releases, statements, and spokesperson preparation.
• Build and maintain relationships with national and regional media.
• Coordinate approvals for public statements where government clearance or alignment is required.

Issues and Crisis Communications

• Lead issues management and crisis communications planning, including coordination with government and regulatory bodies during incidents.
• Maintain holding statements, escalation protocols, and Q&A documents for sensitive topics.

Corporate and Internal Communications

• Oversee corporate messaging, annual reports, sustainability and national-contribution reporting, and executive communications.
• Ensure employees understand regulatory and policy changes that affect them, through internal channels.

Events and Representation

• Plan and deliver government-facing events, delegations, forums, and conferences.
• Represent the company at industry and public-sector engagements as required.

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure all communications comply with applicable laws, regulations, licence conditions, and company policy.
• Manage approval workflows with Legal, Compliance, and senior management.
• Manage communications budgets and external agencies.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Political Science, Journalism, or a related field. A master's degree is an advantage.
• 8-12 years of progressive communications experience, including at least 4 years working directly with government or regulatory stakeholders.
• Experience in a regulated or government-linked sector (e.g., energy, infrastructure, finance, utilities) is preferred.
• Proven experience managing sensitive issues and crisis communications.
• Strong knowledge of the local government landscape, protocols, and etiquette.