Communications Manager (Government & Public Affairs)

Confidential; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 360,000 - 840,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking a senior communications leader to guide government and regulatory engagement, ensuring messaging aligns with policy priorities and national objectives.

The role oversees media relations, internal and corporate communications, and crisis response, with a track record of working with ministries, regulators, and public bodies while managing sensitive issues with tact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Political Science, Journalism, or related field.
• 8–12 years of progressive communications experience with at least 4 years with government/regulators.
• Experience in regulated or government-linked sector preferred.
• Proven experience handling sensitive issues and crisis communications.
• Strong knowledge of the local government landscape, protocols, etiquette.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a government-focused communications strategy.
• Prepare briefing notes, position papers, and talking points for leaders.
• Manage media relations and spokesperson preparation.
• Lead issues management and crisis communications planning.
• Oversee corporate messaging and executive communications.
• Plan government-facing events and represent the company publicly.
• Ensure compliance with laws, licences, and policy.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Crisis communications

Public relations

Policy monitoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications

Master's degree advantageous

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.