Director of Media Relations & Partnerships - Emirati

Lead the development and execution of local and international media relations strategy to strengthen reputation, enhance global visibility, and position the organization as a trusted source of information.

The Director will oversee both local Media Relations and International Media Relations functions, building and maintaining strategic relationships with leading global and regional media organizations, editors, journalists, producers, correspondents, and opinion leaders. The role will also drive strategic media partnerships that support organizational priorities, major announcements, campaigns, and international events.

• Develop and implement an integrated local and international media relations strategy aligned with organizational objectives.
• Lead proactive media engagement initiatives that strengthen reputation locally, regionally, and globally.
• Position the organization as a leading source for international media.
• Provide executive media counsel to senior leadership.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior editors, bureau chiefs, journalists, correspondents, producers, anchors, and media executives across leading international media organizations.
• Develop proactive international media engagement plans before major announcements, events, and strategic initiatives.
• Secure high-value international media coverage across television, print, digital, podcasts, and business publications.
• Organize international press briefings, media tours, exclusive interviews, editorial board meetings, and overseas media delegations.
• Support leadership during international visits and global events.
• Monitor international media sentiment and advise leadership on reputation opportunities and risks.

• Lead engagement with media organizations.
• Strengthen relationships with editors-in-chief, journalists, and government communication offices.
• Coordinate media activities across government entities where required.
• Ensure timely dissemination of announcements, interviews, and media responses.
• Drive consistent messaging across all local media channels.

• Develop strategic partnerships with international and regional media organizations.
• Negotiate media collaboration agreements and editorial partnerships.
• Identify sponsorship, content collaboration, and thought leadership opportunities.
• Build long‑term relationships with influential media stakeholders.
• Lead crisis communication media engagement when required.
• Monitor global media coverage and emerging issues.
• Prepare executive media briefing documents.
• Develop response strategies for sensitive international issues.

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, International Relations, Political Science or related field.
• Master's Degree preferred.

• 15+ years in strategic media relations.
• Minimum 8 years leading international media relations.
• Experience managing large communication teams.
• Experience working with government, international organizations, sovereign entities, or multinational corporations.
• Proven experience engaging international media regardless of region or country.
• Demonstrated experience handling executive-level communications.

• International Media Relations
• Local Media Relations
• Executive Communications
• Strategic Communications
• Crisis Communications
• Media Partnerships
• Stakeholder Management
• Government Communications
• Media Monitoring
• Interview Management
• Editorial Planning
• Messaging Development
• Public Affairs

Required Network

The successful candidate must demonstrate an established professional network with journalists, editors, producers, correspondents, bureau chiefs, and senior executives across top‑tier international and regional media organizations.