Media Lead MIA

KFC; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

KFC in Dubai seeks a Media Lead for the MIA region to shape media strategy and optimize planning and buying across channels, collaborating with global and regional teams to drive growth.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or Business and 7–10 years in media planning, strategy, and buying, with strong analytics and franchised-brand experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, business or related field.
• 7–10 years of experience in media planning, strategy and buying.
• Proven track record in multi-country campaigns and franchised brands.
• Strong knowledge of media metrics and optimization techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of a comprehensive media strategy for the MIA region across all channels.
• Manage media buying, planning, and optimization aligned with global brand guidelines.
• Act as the primary contact for media activities in the MIA region and ensure consistency with global strategy.
• Collaborate with franchisees to co-create media strategies, campaigns and local adaptations.
• Build relationships with brand, digital, commercial, and media agency partners.

Skills

Media strategy

Media planning

Media buying

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Agency management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field

Job description

As the Media Lead MIA, you will be at the forefront of KFC's media operations, working closely with global and regional teams to enhance media planning and buying. Your primary focus will be on improving media performance and unlocking business growth across the MIA region. This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent collaboration skills, and a deep understanding of media metrics and optimization.

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive media strategy for the MIA region, covering all channels.
• Manage media buying, planning, and optimization efforts, ensuring alignment with global brand guidelines.
• Act as the primary contact for all media activities in the MIA region, maintaining consistency with KFC's global strategy.
• Collaborate closely with franchisees to co-create and align media strategies, campaign execution, and local adaptations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external teams, including brand, digital, commercial, and media agency partners.
• Serve as the regional lead for the KFC Global Media Center of Excellence (COE), ensuring media excellence and hygiene across all markets.
• Oversee and approve annual media plans from local markets, ensuring they meet COE standards.
• Identify underperforming markets and challenges, and provide strategies to improve media efficiency and effectiveness.
• Partner with analytics teams to track KPIs, extract insights, and optimize media performance.
• Lead test-and-learn initiatives, particularly in advanced media markets, to drive innovation and improvement.
• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field is required.
• 7-10 years of experience in media planning, strategy, and buying, preferably in an agency or franchised brand environment.
• Proven track record in managing integrated media campaigns across multiple countries.
• Strong experience working within franchised or multi-market structures is essential.
• Excellent understanding of key media metrics, digital performance channels, and optimization techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to manage external agency relationships and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience in the retail, food service, or quick-service restaurant industries is an advantage.
• Analytical mindset and data-driven decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, global environment.