Director of Communications - Nationals

Hamad Bin Khalifa University; Doha; On-site; QAR 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Doha seeks a senior communications leader to raise the institution's profile locally and internationally. You will develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy ensuring clear, consistent messaging across stakeholders.

This role demands strategic leadership and extensive media relations acumen to strengthen HBKU's public standing. This position requires coordinating with HBKU senior management, guiding brand integrity, and directing publications,

Qualifications

• Master's degree in communication or PR related field, with 8 years of relevant experience including 5 years in senior management.
• Strong knowledge of Qatar's rules and regulations.
• Outstanding negotiating, planning, and organizing skills.
• Excellent writing skills; Arabic proficiency is an advantage.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage all communications material.
• Oversee brand voice and maintain brand integrity across all platforms.
• Monitor media relations and establish contacts with media members, staff, students, and community.
• Lead and manage perception and integrity of HBKU brand to preserve our organization's reputation and profile.
• Establish and drive a multi-channel communications strategy.
• Create and articulate the organizational communication strategy and guidelines for HBKU entities and external parties such as partner universities within Education City.
• Prepare long-term communication and PR strategies aligned with HBKU's objectives.
• Coordinate with HBKU Senior Management to ensure consistent outreach and PR strategies are in place and that all business objectives and the supporting implementation plans are discussed, coordinated, reviewed, agreed, and communicated in a standardized manner, across the HBKU entities.
• Provide expert advice to the President on communication strategies and coordination of communication initiatives including branding, events, overall messaging.
• Oversee organizational publications for internal and external audiences, including employee newsletters and stakeholders' reports.
• Respond to requests for information from the media and act as the designated spokesperson or information source for the President.
• Plan and direct development and communication of informational programs to maintain favorable public perceptions of HBKU's achievements.
• Plan innovative marketing strategies and materials that promote HBKU.
• Forward facing representation of HBKU when relevant: Lead and arrange public appearances, lectures, contests, and exhibitions for HBKU to promote the University as a leading organization and to increase public awareness.
• Study the objectives, promotional policies and needs of the division to assist in the development of public relations strategies that will influence public opinion, and promote all the ideas and initiatives of the division.
• Other reasonable tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Skills

Leadership

Brand management

Media relations

Strategic thinking

Communication writing

Public speaking

Education

Master's degree in communication or PR

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Purpose:

To raise HBKU's profile locally, regionally and internationally as well as prepare and implement a communications strategy to ensure that the messages to all stakeholders are clear, consistent and fitfor-purpose

Key Result Areas:

• Direct and manage all communications material.
• Oversee brand voice and maintain brand integrity across all platforms
• Monitor media relations and establish contacts with media members, staff, students, and community
• Lead and manage perception and integrity of HBKU brand to preserve our organization's reputation and profile
• Establish and drive a multi-channel communications strategy
• Create and articulate the organizational communication strategy and guidelines for HBKU entities and external parties such as partner universities within Education City
• Prepare long-term communication and PR strategies aligned with HBKU's objectives
• Coordinate with HBKU Senior Management to ensure consistent outreach and PR strategies are in place and that all business objectives and the supporting implementation plans are discussed, coordinated, reviewed, agreed, and communicated in a standardized manner, across the HBKU entities
• Provide expert advice to the President on communication strategies and coordination of communication initiatives including branding, events, overall messaging
• Oversee organizational publications for internal and external audiences, including employee newsletters and stakeholders' reports
• Respond to requests for information from the media and act as the designated spokesperson or information source for the President
• Plan and direct development and communication of informational programs to maintain favorable public perceptions of HBKU's achievements
• Plan innovative marketing strategies and materials that promote HBKU
• Forward facing representation of HBKU when relevant: Lead and arrange public appearances, lectures, contests, and exhibitions for HBKU to promote the University as a leading organization and to increase public awareness
• Study the objectives, promotional policies and needs of the division to assist in the development of public relations strategies that will influence public opinion, and promote all the ideas and initiatives of the division
• Other reasonable tasks as assigned by supervisor

Minimum Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Master's degree in communication or PR related field & 8 years of relevant experience with 5 years in a senior management role preferable in front line PR at a higher education institute
• Sound knowledge of Qatar's rules and regulations with respect to formalities
• Outstanding negotiating and persuasive skills
• Outstanding planning and organizing skills
• Outstanding writing skills with the ability to draft and edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas clearly and concisely; Arabic proficiency is an advantage
• Proficiency in MS Office applications