IFS - HC Communication and Strategy - Manager

Job description / Role

IFS - HC Communication and Strategy - Manager - Dubai

Line of Service
Internal Firm Services

Specialism
IFS - Internal Firm Services - Other

Management Level
Manager

Reports to:
IFS Partner

Supervises
• PR Team Lead
• Internal Communications Lead
• Social Media Lead

Position Summary

The HC Communication and Strategy Manager is responsible for engaging PwC Middle East’s, Clients, People, and Region.

Responsible for the firm’s external communications, focused on protecting the brand and positively positioning the Middle East firm and its spokespeople externally, primarily in the media. Also responsible for the firm’s internal corporate communications. Utilizes targeted media platforms such as print, broadcast, and digital.

Primary duties and responsibilities

Financial
• Develop the PR & Communications budget and raise to the Clients & Markets Partner and Director for approval
• Provide input to the Clients and Markets Partner and Director for the development of plans including key investments, gaps, development needs
• Support LoS in meeting targets for business opportunities through implementing targeted PR and communications strategies
• Track and approve all spend areas within PR & Communications
• Adhere to the PR & Communications budget

Customer
• Effectively manage all internal communications firmwide and ensure employee communication creates awareness and alignment towards business goals, enhances employee engagement, performance and retention
• Ensure effective collaboration with business LoS and Team Lead to develop communication plans
• Manage the presence of PwC Middle East in the region and ensure that the organisation gains exposure by developing and implementing a PR & social media strategy
• Engage with the Business Development Lead (Business Partner)and Marketing Leadsin communicating with internal and external stakeholders (including newsletters, memos, intranet, website etc.) regarding PwC Middle East’s objectives, programmes, research and other activities
• Serve as focal point for all interaction between PwC Middle East and the media: evaluate and assess all media requests, facilitate interview opportunities, support interview preparation and coaching etc.
• Manage the Public Relations agency relationship, define their mandate, and monitor performance ( if available)
• Measure effectiveness of external communications initiatives and produce reports for all LoS leads
• Manage regional presence of the organisation, track events and decide on participation
• Manage and optimise all speaking opportunities for Managing Partner and LoS Leads, and ensure the completion of required presentations and talking points
• Secure optimal communication representation for all PwC Middle East experts in leading conferences regionally, and at times globally.
• Work closely with LoS leads, industry specialists and other internal subject matter experts to decide and prepare communication for events, ensuring speakers are well briefed and prepared on all aspects of the event from logistics to presentation material etc.
• Measure and monitor the share of voice of PwC Middle East coverage vs. competition
• Work closely with Marketing team to ensure full alignment and coordination
• Ensure that the Ideation Centre Lead on the Marketing team is appropriately positioning the PwC brand on the content developed for external publications and communication channels

Internal Process
• Develop the internal and external communications strategy and implementation plans in coordination with the Partner/Director of Clients and Markets and Clients & Markets Business Partners
• Work closely with the PR lead and Internal Lead to implement strategies
• Manage communication activities including enforcement of corporate communication policies and guidelines, support of Leadership team with internal and external communication, preparation of press releases
• Work closely with Marketing team to ensure brand integrity and alignment within communications and media strategy,and provide input to the optimal mix of tools required to market insights
• Work with Pursuit and Insight team to ensure alignment and brand integrity within PR and Communications strategy
• Design, coordinate and oversee the management of all corporate events with partners such as PR agencies and event companies
• Oversee the dissemination of information to print, broadcast, and online media

Learning & Growth
• Responsible for working with PR & Communications Network to ensure consistency and alignment of PwC ME standards
• Create manpower plans for the team and raise to C&M Director for approval
• Develop talent within the team by providing consistent direction and support to achieve targets/service level agreements
• Act as a key resource and liaison to other functional areas of the business, building cross-functional relationships as needed
• Establish a healthy work environment for employees

Requirements

Education
• Ideally a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Communications
• Master’s Degree in business related discipline is an advantage

Language
• Fluency in spoken and written English, proficiency in Arabic is an advantage

Overall Experience
• 11+ years of experience in Public Relations or Communications

Specific Experience
• Experience in the Professional Services Industry in a top tier big 4 firm specifically in PR, Communications or Marketing
• 2+ years experience in a management capacity
• Demonstrated experience implementing PR and Communications strategies for a large regional/multinational services firm
• Experience in handling media relations
• Solid track record in managing internal and external communications strategies, and reputation management strategies
• Experience in leading corporate communications and internal and external communication strategies
• Experience in handling media relations
• Track record in utilizing creative integrated PR and Communication strategies to achieve new business development and growth for organizations
• Track record in developing relationships with customers at an executive level
• Experience in monitoring and achieving customer satisfaction with service quality
• Exposure to global best practices and trends in the PR and Communications domain
• Significant industry experience within the Middle East is preferred

Knowledge and Skills
• In depth knowledge of Marketing, Public Relations, Communication and Branding principles
• In depth knowledge of the Professional Services Industry, including latest market developments, best practices and trends
• In depth knowledge of service offering for all PwC LoS and industry sectors in the Middle East
• Commercial awareness
• Knowledge of business planning and budgeting
• Excellent communications (verbal and written) skills, including public speaking and interviewing skills, and ability to represent the organization in diverse forums
• Ability to handle complex crisis communications and sensitive topics
• Subject matter expertise in public relations, communications and , marketing, corporate communications, internal and external communications strategy
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills
• Significant personal presence, enabling successful interaction directly with senior consultants, clients, and knowledge professionals

About the Company

At PwC Middle East, we've set out an ambitious purpose and strive to live it everyday: to solve important problems and build trust in society.

We're a community of solvers that come together in unexpected ways to build trust and create sustained outcomes. We solve important problems, support one another as we grow, develop and build fulfilling careers.

PwC provides industry-focused services for public and private clients across Assurance and Audit, Deals, Consulting, Tax and Legal. We draw on our development legacy that brings together the collective experience of over 7,000 people in our region with offices across 12 countries to solve for tomorrow.

We're striving to consistently deliver innovative work that builds trust and delivers sustained outcomes. And we're proud of the strength that comes from all our different backgrounds and experiences and we value everyone's uniqueness. We thrive in uncertainty, operate with integrity and leverage the diverse perspectives of our teams.

If you're looking for a place that fuels your ambition to make a difference, that matches your curiosity with continuous learning opportunities and reimagines ways of working to enable you to lead a more balanced life, then you're a future PwCer.