External Communications Manager

Job description / Role

Salary: 1800 KD

One of the Middle Easts most established retail groups is currently looking for someone to manage their external communications, based in their Kuwait Headquarters. The ideal candidate needs to have extensive experience of management within a corporate communications team, preferably within retail. The External Communications Manager (Fashion) works with individual brand PR / Marketing teams within their area of responsibility to build and enhance the overall quality and impact of editorial content (traditional and online) delivered to media.

Responsibilities:
Contribute to development of annual external communications plan, working with individual brand teams to identify brand specific activity plans.
Manage External Communications Executives and Copywriter to ensure effective and timely delivery of agreed messaging.
Build relationships with brand teams act as a communications business partner, providing advice, ideas and coaching to support competency development.
Clear all editorial content submitted by brand teams in area of responsibility, consistent with Alshaya guidelines and SLAs liaise with digital team as necessary and allocate copy writing support as required.
Develop relationships with media within area of responsibility and support the sell in of news stories as required.
Review and clear all agency briefs (approach, messages, price) and assess agency performance in partnership with brand teams.
Identify and address areas of brand non-compliance and support business continuity process as required.
Responsible for media monitoring and evaluation reporting within area of responsibility and for providing relevant data for brand scorecards.
Work closely with corporate colleagues to ensure effective and timely alignment with corporate goals and messaging.
Accountable for budget management within area of responsibility.
Manage appropriate trackers to evaluate the teams impact and its compliance with targets and SLAs.

Requirements

The successful candidates will have:
Proven knowledge of all facets of editorial and brand communications (content drafting, pitching stories, agency briefing, media events, press office etc excludes advertising / POS).
Educated to university level bachelors degree in Communications, Marketing or related subject.
Knowledge of Middle East media scene preferred.
External communications specialist with 8+ years experience.
Extensive brand experience with proven corporate background (retail preferred).
Experience of managing external agencies.
Experience in managing teams and developing the skills of others.
Excellent factual / creative writing skills.
Strong attention to detail excellent proof reading skills.
Strong media relations skills.
Results focused individual able to deliver multiple projects in timely fashion.
Collaborative work style adept at working in a matrix structure.
Confident, empathetic individual.

About the Company

Edge Resourcing was established in the United Arab Emirates in 2008. We have taken care in our growth and have kept our corporate values throughout.

Edge Resourcing is led by a specialist team of Recruitment Consultants, each of whom have experience of working in and a sound knowledge of the local market place. We have gradually expanded our horizons and now offer specialist services within the Middle East Retail sector. Our aim is to provide a thorough and honest service to both our candidates and clients, making sure that we only take on work which we feel we can service to the correct level of satisfaction required.

We currently offer professional and tailored contingency and retained search services to the following specialist sectors of the market: Retail Accountancy and Finance Office Support Human Resources Sales and Marketing Legal

Our aim is to continue to position ourselves in the market as one of the most consistent and successful suppliers of manpower. We strive to make things happen and make a difference to your business and career. Success isnt just about putting people into jobs, but about giving you an honest, personal service. Whether you are a client or a candidate, our aim is to find out exactly what it is that you are looking for, rather than push you to settle for your second choice.