Head of Media

Viola Communications; Abu Dhabi; Sur place; AED 450 000 - 750 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Viola Communications is seeking a Head of Media in the UAE to build and scale a full media practice from strategy to execution. You will own the media P&L, drive revenue growth, and lead planning, trading and measurement while shaping AI-enabled, data-driven approaches.

You will collaborate with the CEO and leadership, recruit and nurture a high-performing team, and establish strong ties with media owners and government stakeholders to deliver integrated client solutions.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years in media with senior leadership experience.
• Proven track record of building or scaling a media practice with P&L ownership.
• Strong expertise across media strategy, planning, trading, investment, operations and measurement.
• Established relationships with UAE media owners, platforms, suppliers and senior brand stakeholders.
• Experience advising senior clients, ideally including government entities in the UAE.
• Hands-on experience applying AI and data tools to media planning and optimization.
• Fluent English; Arabic is highly preferred.

Responsabilités

• Build and lead Viola’s media practice, defining strategy, operating model, commercial direction and growth.
• Own the media P&L, driving revenue, profitability and long-term growth.
• Lead media planning, audience strategy, channel selection, buying, trading and investment.
• Develop relationships with media owners, platforms, suppliers and partners across the UAE.
• Introduce tools, processes and reporting to improve efficiency and accountability.
• Champion AI and data-driven solutions across media planning and operations.
• Advise senior clients, including CMOs and government stakeholders.
• Lead pitches and grow existing client accounts.
• Recruit, develop and lead a high-performing media team.

Connaissances

Media strategy

P&L ownership

Leadership

AI in media planning

Client relationship management

Arabic (preferred)

Description du poste

Ready to build something big? At Viola, we’re looking for a Head of Media to take our media offering to the next level. This is an exciting opportunity to build and scale a full media practice from the ground up, shaping everything from strategy and planning to trading, investment and measurement.

You’ll work closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, build a high-performing media team, and help connect media more closely with our PR, advertising, social, events and experience capabilities. With AI playing a key role from day one, you’ll have the opportunity to shape a smarter, more agile and commercially driven media operation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and lead Viola’s media practice, defining its strategy, operating model, commercial direction and growth plans.
• Own the media P&L, driving revenue, profitability, utilisation and long-term business growth.
• Lead media planning, audience strategy, channel selection, buying, trading and investment.
• Develop strong relationships with media owners, platforms, suppliers and key industry partners across the UAE.
• Introduce effective tools, processes and reporting frameworks to improve efficiency, performance and accountability.
• Champion AI and data-driven solutions across media planning, optimisation, reporting and operations.
• Act as a trusted adviser to senior clients, including CMOs, marketing directors and government and semi-government stakeholders.
• Lead media strategy in pitches, identify new business opportunities and grow existing client accounts.
• Recruit, develop and lead a talented media team, creating a culture of collaboration, innovation and commercial ownership.
• Collaborate with Viola’s wider leadership team to ensure media is integrated into campaigns and client solutions from the outset.

Qualifications & Skills:

• 10–15 years of media experience, with significant senior leadership experience in a media agency, integrated agency, media owner or client-side media function.
• Proven track record of building or scaling a media practice, including P&L ownership and commercial growth.
• Strong expertise across media strategy, planning, trading, investment, operations and measurement.
• Established relationships with UAE media owners, platforms, suppliers and senior brand stakeholders.
• Experience advising senior clients, ideally including government and semi-government entities in the UAE.
• Hands-on experience applying AI and data tools to improve media planning, delivery and performance.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience building, developing and managing high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication, commercial and strategic thinking skills.
• Fluent English is essential; Arabic is highly preferred.

Who you are:

• A business builder. You have built, rebuilt or scaled a media capability before, and you want to do it again with real ownership. You know what world-class looks like in practice and how to get there in stages.
• A senior adviser. You are comfortable in the boardroom, can hold a view under challenge, and advise clients, colleagues and leadership with authority and judgement.
• Established in the UAE. You already have strong relationships with media owners, platforms, suppliers and brand leaders in the UAE, and they open doors from day one.
• Fluent in applied AI. You understand how AI is changing planning, buying and measurement, and you have practical experience putting it to work inside a team rather than talking about it.
• A team builder. People want to work for you. You develop your teams deliberately, hire well and build teams that hold standards when you are not in the room.

At Viola Communications, we pride ourselves on serving clients from diverse backgrounds and with a vast range of experiences. We are dedicated to fostering a team of exceptional individuals who bring unique perspectives created by their different life paths. With representation from over 20 nationalities across our business units, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and cultivates cultural diversity among our employees. We recognize and appreciate the exceptional strengths and experiences that each person brings, and we believe that by embracing differences, we can inspire and generate remarkable ideas collectively. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion not only aligns with our moral compass but also reinforces Viola's strength as a whole.

We appreciate all applications received. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.