Corporate Communications & Public Affairs Specialist/Lead - Dubai

Arla Foods; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Arla MENA is seeking a senior communications professional to lead corporate communications across the MENA region from our Dubai office. The role includes shaping internal and external messages, media relations, and stakeholder engagement across markets including Iraq, Lebanon, and Kuwait.

You will report to the MENA Head of Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, spending ~70% on MENA communications and ~30% on public affairs, with periodic international travel as

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Affairs, Political Science or a related discipline.
• At least five years of relevant experience in corporate communications, media relations or public affairs.
• Strong experience in internal and external communications and executive communications.

Responsibilities

• Lead MENA corporate communications and support Rest of Markets public affairs.
• Collaborate with leaders, HR, market, regional and global teams; travel as needed.
• Develop internal and external communications strategies and campaigns; manage media relations and messaging.
• Build relationships with government entities and external stakeholders; support advocacy and crisis communications.

Skills

Writer

Stakeholder management

Bilingual (English/Arabic)

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Public Relations/Journalism/Public Affairs/Political Science

Job description

At Arla, we do so much more than make some of the world’s favourite dairy products. We make healthy taste delicious, mornings worth getting up for, and family dinners unforgettable. Puck®, Dano®, Lurpak®, and Castello® – names like these make us a vital, natural part of modern life in over 100 countries around the world. With 1,200 employees in the Middle East and Africa and 19,000 globally, every single one of us plays an important role in building on our 10bn Euros turnover and establishing our position as one of the world’s largest dairy companies.

Arla MENA is the largest and most profitable Region within Arla’s International Zone and plans are in place to continue the strong growth in the Region in the coming years, and now is your chance to join the team and be part of the exciting journey!

Are you ready to shape corporate reputation, strengthen leadership visibility and engage stakeholders across a diverse international region?

Based in our MENA Regional Office in Dubai, you will join an international organisation and work across markets, cultures and functions. This is an opportunity to lead corporate communications across MENA while supporting public affairs priorities throughout our Rest of Markets cluster including Iraq, Lebanon and Kuwait. You will connect regional business priorities with engaging communication, compelling storytelling and informed stakeholder engagement.

How You Will Make An Impact

Reporting to the MENA Head of Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, you will spend approximately 70% of your time leading MENA communications and 30% supporting public affairs across Rest of Markets. You will collaborate and influence leaders, HR colleagues and market, regional and global teams, with periodic international travel depending on business and stakeholder priorities.

• Develop and deliver internal communications strategies, leadership communications and campaigns that support business priorities, employee engagement, culture, sustainability and organisational change across MENA.
• Lead external communications, media relations and proactive storytelling, creating press materials, key messages and thought-leadership content that strengthen Arla’s reputation and leadership visibility.
• Manage regional communication channels and calendars, including town halls, newsletters, intranet content, employee platforms, corporate websites and social media channels.
• Support public affairs strategies across Rest-of-Markets by monitoring policy and regulatory developments, preparing strategic insights and producing stakeholder briefings, position papers and executive talking points.
• Build productive relationships with government entities, industry associations and other external stakeholders, while supporting advocacy initiatives, leadership visits, stakeholder events and issues or crisis communications.

What Will Make You Successful

You will bring a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Affairs, Political Science or a related discipline, together with at least five years of relevant experience in corporate communications, media relations, public affairs or corporate affairs. Strong experience across internal and external communications, media relations and executive communications is essential. Exposure to public affairs, policy-related communications or stakeholder engagement would be an advantage.

You are an accomplished writer and storyteller in English and Arabic. French language would be an additional advantage. You can influence senior stakeholders, exercise sound judgement and manage several priorities within a complex regional environment.

To thrive in this role, you will be collaborative in building trusted relationships, adaptable when working across different markets and cultures, and proactive in turning business priorities into clear communication and stakeholder action.

What do we offer?

You will have a central role in shaping how Arla communicates internally and externally across a varied international region. The position offers broad exposure to corporate communications, media relations, executive positioning, public affairs and sustainability, along with opportunities to collaborate across market, regional and global teams.

You will join a purpose driven global organisation committed to people and communities, with an opportunity to grow in an international and evolving environment.

Would you like to join us?

If you would like to shape Arla’s reputation, strengthen employee and stakeholder engagement, and contribute across a diverse international region, we would welcome your application.

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.

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