Communications Manager

Job Summary

The Communications Manager leads and manages Sharjah Art Foundation’s integrated communications strategy across public relations and media relations, marketing, social media, digital platforms and the website, overseeing campaigns for the Foundation’s exhibitions, programmes and institutional initiatives.

The role manages the Communications team and departmental budget, including communications planning, media strategy, external agencies, media partnerships and vendor relationships. The Communications Manager also oversees executive and institutional communications and media relations for institutional leadership and curators, including local, regional and international media opportunities, interviews and briefing materials.

The role oversees the development, review and approval of communications materials in English and Arabic, ensuring consistency with the Foundation’s institutional messaging.

Working closely with senior management and departments across the Foundation, the manager also maintains relationships with artists, curators, cultural institutions, media organisations, journalists, agencies, media partners and other external stakeholders locally, regionally and internationally. In addition to overseeing SAF Shops and the online shop
, as well as communications and ticketing for Rain Room Sharjah.

• Develop, lead and oversee the Foundation’s integrated communications strategy across PR and media relations, marketing, social media, digital platforms and the website.
• Lead communications planning and campaigns for the Foundation’s exhibitions, programmes, events and major institutional initiatives, including Sharjah Biennial, March Meeting and other key programmes.
• Develop annual and project-specific communications plans, timelines and priorities in coordination with relevant departments.
• Ensure communications activity is aligned with the Foundation’s institutional objectives, identity and positioning.
• Establish and maintain consistent institutional messaging, terminology and communications standards across platforms and materials.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the Foundation’s visibility and positioning locally, regionally and internationally.
• Advise senior management and relevant departments on communications strategy, media positioning and communications requirements.

• Develop and oversee local, regional and international media relations strategies for the Foundation and its programmes.
• Build and maintain relationships with local, regional and international journalists, editors, broadcasters, critics and other media contacts.
• Oversee press outreach in English and Arabic for exhibitions, programmes, events and institutional announcements.
• Oversee the development, review and distribution of press releases, media alerts, press invitations, media kits, fact sheets, briefing documents and other press materials in English and Arabic.
• Oversee media visits, press previews, interviews, press conferences and other media opportunities.
• Coordinate with artists, curators, institutional partners and relevant departments on interviews and media requirements.
• Identify and pursue strategic editorial and media opportunities that support the Foundation’s positioning and programmes.
• Oversee media monitoring, coverage reporting and post-campaign analysis across English- and Arabic-language media.

• Oversee communications and media relations for institutional leadership and curators.
• Coordinate local, regional and international interview requests, speaking opportunities and media engagements, including English- and Arabic-language media.
• Prepare and/or oversee briefing materials, talking points, speeches, interview notes and other communications materials for institutional leadership in English and Arabic.
• Support strategic positioning and messaging for institutional leadership across media and public-facing opportunities.
• Coordinate closely with senior management on sensitive, high-profile or reputational communications matters.
• Support the development of reactive statements and…