Associate Director | Director International Media Relations; Bilingual- Arabic & English

Associate Director | Director International Media Relations (Bilingual
- Arabic & English)

Burson |

Posted Feb 21, 2026

Full-time

Dubai

Negotiable

Master (>10 yrs)

Burson is the global communications leader built to create value for clients through reputation. With highly specialized teams, industry‑leading technologies and breakthrough creative, we help brands and businesses redefine reputation as a competitive advantage so they can lead today and into the future. When you work at Burson, you are part of a global community of lifelong learners who thrive at the edge of innovation.

Burson is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company. For more information visit  and follow us on Linked In and Instagram.

We are looking for a senior, bilingual International Media Relations professional to join Burson as part of a dedicated seconded team embedded within the Corporate Communications function of a high‑profile global organisation operating at the intersection of energy, policy and international affairs.

This role sits at the heart of complex, high‑stakes communications across regional and international markets. You will lead strategic media engagement, shape narratives that resonate across Arabic and international press, and serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders navigating an evolving geopolitical and business landscape. Experience across energy, oil, gas or adjacent regulated sectors will be highly advantageous.

This is an opportunity for a commercially astute communications leader who thrives in sophisticated environments and understands the nuance of operating within regionally sensitive, globally visible mandates.

• Lead international and regional media strategy development and execution across Arabic and global markets
• Serve as a senior counsel to client leadership on proactive and reactive media engagement
• Develop clear, compelling messaging frameworks, Q&A documents and media responses
• Oversee press office operations including media planning, pitching and journalist engagement
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Tier 1 Arabic and international media
• Manage high‑profile announcements, executive interviews and press conferences
• Provide crisis communications support including rapid response planning and issue mitigation
• Collaborate with Burson and client stakeholders to ensure narrative consistency across markets

• Fluent in Arabic and English (spoken and written) with exceptional drafting capability in both languages
• Proven experience in international media relations at Associate Director or Director level within an agency or in‑house corporate communications team
• Strong, established media network across GCC and wider regional press
• Deep understanding of the Middle East media landscape and its geopolitical sensitivities
• Experience supporting senior executives with media preparation and reputation management
• Background in energy, oil, gas, infrastructure or other complex regulated sectors preferred
• Demonstrated experience managing issues and crisis communications
• Ability to operate confidently within embedded/seconded environments and complex stakeholder structures

If you are a strategic, bilingual media leader ready to operate at the forefront of international communications, we would love to hear from you.

Our vision is for Burson to be the leading “academy company” for creative communications professionals and emerging leaders. We provide a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues come to elevate their skills, expand their networks, and ultimately, produce the best solutions for today’s leading brands. Our commitment to your growth is reflected in our robust benefits and people programs, which include professional development opportunities, mentorship programs with industry leaders, a vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation and packages designed to reward and retain top talent.

We invest in our people because we believe their success is our success.

At Burson, we’re an agency of learn‑it‑alls. We recognize that the things we do best,…