Head of Media Strategy and Policy Development

Dubai Government; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Dubai Media Council in Abu Dhabi seeks a senior leader to drive media strategy and policy development. You will coordinate with executives across the organization, manage budgeting and KPI reporting, and oversee policy design, regulatory alignment, and cross‑entity collaboration to advance Dubai’s media governance agenda.

The role emphasizes strategic advisory, implementation oversight, and alignment with international standards while ensuring regulatory consistency across sectors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Media, Business, Law, or a related field.
• Master’s degree preferred (Public Policy, Media Strategy, or similar)

Responsibilities

• Develop the strategy for Media Strategy and Policy Development to support the Media Governance Sector and overall DMC vision.
• Lead the teams within Media Strategy and Policy Development to deliver the objectives set out within the section.
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with CEOs, Executive Directors and Directors across DMC to support and deliver the DMC strategy.
• Develop and manage the Media Strategy and Policy Development budget with Finance to secure funds and track allocated budgets.
• Ensure monthly KPI reports are generated, shared on time and supported by documentation for KPI metrics.
• Oversee policy implementation, define success metrics, monitor adoption and impact across stakeholders.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Media, Business, Law, or related field

Master's degree preferred (Public Policy, Media Strategy, or similar)

Job description

Job description

About Dubai Media Council:

The Dubai Media Council is the government authority responsible for regulating and developing Dubai’s media sector, strengthening the emirate’s position as a leading regional and global media hub through progressive policies, innovation, and talent development.

1- General Responsibilities

• Develop the strategy for Media Strategy and Policy Development to support the Media Governance Sector and overall DMC vision, direction and strategic objectives.
• Ensure the successful implementation of the strategic vision for Media Strategy and Policy Development to achieve the strategic objectives set out for the Media Governance Sector in line with DMC’s vision and objectives
• Lead the teams within Media Strategy and Policy Development to deliver the objectives set out within the section
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with CEOs, Executive Directors and Directors across DMC, working together when needed to support and deliver the DMC strategy
• Develop and manage the Media Strategy and Policy Development budget, working with Finance to secure funds and ensuring proper tracking of the allocated budgets across the team
• Ensure monthly KPI reports are generated, shared with the Strategy & Governance Excellence department on time and supported by documentation to aid in capturing and calculating the KPI metrics
• Develop talent within the Media Strategy and Policy Development team, focusing on soft skills as well as technical skills development
• Ensure compliance with audit findings and reports, implementing necessary changes, policies and risk mitigation strategies to strengthen compliance with local government and global requirements.
• Implement digitization strategies where possible, ensuring digital solutions for key processes are applied and utilized to drive higher efficiencies and effectiveness.

2- Media Strategy Development and Alignment

• Lead the development of sector-level strategies, frameworks, and strategic initiatives that support the growth and competitiveness of Dubai’s media ecosystem.
• Translate the overarching Media Governance Sector strategy into actionable roadmaps, policies, and implementation frameworks.
• Ensure alignment of all media strategies with Dubai’s economic, cultural, and regulatory priorities.
• Continuously assess global media trends, emerging technologies, and competitive benchmarks to inform strategic direction.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure strategies are practical, implementable, and aligned across functions.

3- Policy Design and Regulatory Framework Development

• Lead the design and development of media-related policies, regulations, and governance frameworks across the media ecosystem.
• Ensure policies support innovation while maintaining compliance with local laws, cultural considerations, and international standards.
• Develop clear policy guidelines, frameworks, and documentation to support consistent implementation across sectors.
• Review and update existing policies to ensure relevance, effectiveness, and alignment with evolving industry needs.
• Coordinate with legal and regulatory entities to ensure policy consistency and enforceability.

4- Cross-Entity Coordination and Regulatory Alignment

• Coordinate with internal departments (e.g., Business Development, Investments & Projects, Talent Development) to ensure policies enable operational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with federal and local government entities to align regulatory frameworks and eliminate duplication or conflicts.
• Facilitate cross-sector alignment to ensure a seamless regulatory environment for media businesses.
• Act as a key liaison for policy-related matters between the Media Governance Sector and external stakeholders.
• Support the harmonization of regulations across free zones, mainland, and relevant authorities.

5- Strategic Advisory on Media Strategy and Policy Development

• Provide strategic policy advice and recommendations to the Director Media Governance Sector and senior leadership.
• Develop position papers, policy briefs, and strategic reports to support decision-making.
• Identify policy gaps, risks, and opportunities within the media ecosystem and propose actionable solutions.
• Contribute to shaping Dubai’s positioning as a global media hub through forward-thinking policy development.
• Stay informed on international policy trends and regulatory innovations, adapting best practices to the local context.

6- Policy Implementation Oversight and Impact Assessment

• Oversee the implementation of approved strategies and policies across the media ecosystem.
• Define success metrics and KPIs to measure the effectiveness of policies and strategic initiatives.
• Monitor policy adoption, compliance, and impact across stakeholders.
• Work closely with Data and Analytics and Studies and Research teams to evaluate outcomes and refine approaches.
• Recommend continuous improvements to strategies and policies based on performance insights and stakeholder feedback.

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Media, Business, Law, or a related field
• Master’s degree preferred (Public Policy, Media Strategy, or similar)