Head of Strategic Storytelling

Modon; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading innovation-focused organization in Abu Dhabi is seeking a strategic communications lead to develop and manage its overarching storytelling framework. You will craft and implement communication strategies, engage key stakeholders, and lead a high-performing team to foster effective narratives. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in narrative development, cross-functional leadership, and stakeholder engagement within remarkable cultural contexts. This position is vital for aligning communication efforts with organizational goals as well as public representation.

Qualifications

• Expertise in narrative development and strategic communication.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to manage cross-functional teams.
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and external relations.

Responsibilities

• Develop MiZa’s storytelling and communications framework.
• Lead integrated communication strategies across various channels.
• Manage relationships with government entities and media outlets.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Narrative Development & Strategic Communication

• Develop MiZa’s overarching storytelling and communications framework rooted in identity, innovation, and cultural authenticity.
• Translate complex strategies into compelling narratives that engage public, private, and community stakeholders.
• Craft and oversee implementation of strategic messaging across all channels, ensuring consistency, resonance, and impact.

Communications Strategy & Execution

• Lead development and delivery of integrated communication strategies, spanning media, digital, internal comms, and stakeholder engagement.
• Design long-term comms plans aligned with MiZa’s milestone projects and activation calendar.
• Prepare briefs and narratives for key events, stakeholder and community interactions, public launches, and overall external representation.

Leadership & Cross-functional Collaboration

• Act as a thought partner to the leadership team, shaping MiZa’s voice in alignment with its values, spatial vision, and economic proposition.
• Collaborate with other MiZa teams to ensure storytelling supports end-to-end experience delivery.
• Lead a small, high-performing team of communication specialists, content producers, and creatives; mentor talent and build capabilities in narrative thinking.

Stakeholder Engagement & External Relations

• Cultivate and manage relationships with relevant government and private entities, media outlets, creative partners, and communications agencies.
• Support MiZa’s spokesperson(s) when required; lead on engagements with national and international press and bring alignment with all Group entities as well as the Board of Directors as required.
• Oversee briefing and coordination with key communication partners (local and international) to safeguard the integrity of MiZa’s narrative.

Content Oversight

• Guide the creation of all strategic content including key messaging, press releases, thought leadership pieces (op-eds), multimedia, and campaign messaging.
• Ensure storytelling reflects the intersection of MiZa’s "hard" and "soft" infrastructure, its built environment and the values it seeks to enable.

Evaluation & Innovation

• Establish metrics to assess the performance and reach of MiZa’s communications efforts; lead insight-gathering and iteration.

Stay ahead of communication trends and tools to keep MiZa’s storytelling relevant, bold, and forward-looking.