Head of Communications & Media

Wawasan Open University [DU013(P)]; George Town; On-site; MYR 156,000 - 246,000; Full time

Job summary

Wawasan Open University (WOU) invites applications for a senior Corporate Communications leader to shape our external and internal messaging.

Based in Penang, you will drive media relations, crisis comms, and brand strategy, aligning messaging with the university's goals and values while leading a talented team toward data-driven communication excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Communication, Public Relations, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience, preferably in the higher education sector or a similar industry.
• Expertise in strategic communication, branding, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communication strategy aligned with WOU's mission, vision, values, goals, and objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including employees, students, investors, media, industry influencers, and the wider community.
• Lead all media relations efforts, including cultivating relationships with journalists, managing press releases, coordinating press conferences, and conducting media interviews.
• Design and implement effective internal communication strategies to keep staff informed, motivated, and aligned with institutional goals.
• Drive the development and preservation of WOU’s brand identity, ensuring consistency across all digital and print materials.
• Serve as the primary leader in managing crisis communications and develop crisis response plans.
• Oversee the creation and curation of high-quality, engaging content across all platforms.
• Establish KPIs, metrics, and feedback loops to measure impact and drive improvements.
• Manage the department’s budget and negotiate with vendors to optimize costs.
• Lead, mentor, and support the Corporate Communications team.
• Identify, secure, and nurture strategic partnerships and sponsorships.

Skills

Strategic communication

Branding

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Crisis communication

Content strategy

Measurement & evaluation

Budget management

Team management

Partnerships

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Communication/Public Relations

Job description

We are expanding our team! Come and join us!

In line with its tagline, ‘Think Tomorrow’, the university is transforming its curriculum and delivery to prepare a future-ready workforce for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0).

We are looking for passionate and motivated talents to be part of our dynamic team, and nurture professional talents that can positively impact the nation.

As one of the country's pioneer institutions in Open Distance Learning, we welcome new team members who share our goal of being innovative, responsive and dedicated to the advancement of lifelong learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Communication Strategy Development
  Develop and execute a comprehensive communication strategy aligned with WOU's mission, vision, values, goals, and objectives. Define key messages, identify target audiences, and select appropriate communication channels to effectively convey WOU’s initiatives and enhance institutional visibility.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including employees, students, investors, media, industry influencers, and the wider community. Ensure consistent, impactful communication to engage stakeholders and foster trust and understanding of WOU's programs and objectives.
• Media Relations
  Lead all media relations efforts, including cultivating relationships with journalists, managing press releases, coordinating press conferences, and conducting media interviews. Strategically pitch stories to ensure accurate, positive coverage and handle crisis-related communication to safeguard WOU’s reputation.
• Internal Communications
  Design and implement effective internal communication strategies to keep staff informed, motivated, and aligned with institutional goals. Oversee the creation of newsletters, intranet updates, town hall meetings, and other communication tools to cultivate a transparent and collaborative work culture.
• Brand Management
  Drive the development and preservation of WOU’s brand identity, ensuring consistency across all digital and print materials, including websites, social media, marketing campaigns, and public relations. Offer strategic guidance on brand positioning, messaging, and visual design.
• Crisis Communication
  Serve as the primary leader in managing crisis communications. Develop and execute crisis response plans, liaise with stakeholders, and deliver accurate, timely information to mitigate reputational risks and maintain public confidence.
• Content Strategy and Development
  Oversee the creation and curation of high-quality, engaging content across all platforms, including written materials, videos, infographics, and social media posts. Ensure alignment with WOU’s messaging while tailoring content to resonate with diverse audiences.
• Measurement and Evaluation
  Establish KPIs, metrics, and feedback loops to measure the impact of communication strategies. Conduct regular analysis of campaign performance to identify improvement opportunities and enable data-driven decision-making for optimized communication efforts.
• Budget and Resource Management
  Manage the department’s budget, ensuring cost-effective resource allocation. Negotiates with vendors and agencies to optimize expenses related to communication services, while maximizing value and cost and improved!!
• Leadership and Team Management
  Lead, mentor, and support the Corporate Communications team. Cultivate a positive, collaborative working environment while driving professional development, performance, and innovation within the team.
• Partnerships and Sponsorships
  Identify, secure, and nurture strategic partnerships and sponsorships that align with WOU’s goals. Manage these relationships to amplify WOU’s reach and ...

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Communication, Public Relations, or a related field.

Minimum 8 years of relevant experience, preferably in the higher education sector or a similar industry.

Expertise in strategic communication, branding, and stakeholder engagement.

Strong leadership and team management capabilities.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Your application will include the following questions:

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Malaysia?
• What's your expected monthly basic salary?
• Which of the following languages are you fluent in?
• How much notice are you required to give your current employer?
• How many years experience in Media Relations do you have?

Education, Training & Professional Development 101-1,000 employees

Wholly owned by Wawasan Open University Sdn. Bhd. 200501018250 (700364-W)

Wawasan Open University (WOU) is a leading private institution of higher learning in Malaysia dedicated to adult learners. WOU also offers full-time degree programmes to fresh school-leavers. WOU strategically utilises information technology and a network of learning centres backed by a team of academicians to support our students throughout the nation. Its main campus is based in Penang.

Wholly owned by Wawasan Open University Sdn. Bhd. 200501018250 (700364-W)

Wawasan Open University (WOU) is a leading private institution of higher learning in Malaysia dedicated to adult learners. WOU also offers full-time degree programmes to fresh school-leavers. WOU strategically utilises information technology and a network of learning centres backed by a team of academicians to support our students throughout the nation. Its main campus is based in Penang.