Senior Strategic Communications Manager

Job description / Role

Senior Strategic Communications Manager | Group Communication | Corporate Services

Overview of the role

This is a newly established function within Al-Futtaim's strategic communications team, designed to elevate the company's influence, reputation, and decision-making capabilities. The role demands an entrepreneurial mindset, a passion for growth, and the ability to navigate complex environments. The Senior Strategic Communications Manager / Corporate Affairs Manager will lead the development of innovative communication strategies, manage stakeholder relations, and provide high-value market intelligence to support senior management in shaping the company's strategic direction.

What you will do

Market Intelligence and Insights

• Establish and maintain a macroeconomic and market information system to provide senior management with actionable insights.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of market trends, competitor activity, and regulatory developments to inform strategic decision-making.
• Regularly prepare and present intelligence reports for leadership, enabling proactive responses to market dynamics.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and implement a strategic stakeholder engagement matrix to identify, prioritize, and manage key relationships.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure stakeholder activities are aligned with corporate objectives.

Strategic Project Management

• Develop and maintain an up-to-date strategic project overview for leadership's visibility and decision-making.
• Ensure communication initiatives are seamlessly aligned with the company's overarching goals.

Communications Strategy

• Lead the development of a comprehensive and forward-looking communications strategy aligned with Al-Futtaim's vision and values.
• Create high-quality content, including presentations, reports, speeches, and internal/external communication materials.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing expert guidance on messaging and positioning for key initiatives.

Content Development and Tools

• Produce engaging presentations, storytelling content, and high-value communication assets using advanced PowerPoint, MS Office, and digital tools.
• Leverage digital and AI platforms to optimize content delivery and ensure scalability.
• Ensure consistency and quality across all communication outputs.

Required skills to be successful

• Strategic thinking and entrepreneurial mindset with a growth-oriented approach.
• Advanced PowerPoint and storytelling skills, with a proven ability to create compelling narratives.
• Expertise in leveraging digital and AI tools for content development and delivery.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English (Arabic proficiency is a plus).
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management abilities, with cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

What equips you for the role

• Bachelor's degree in communications, business administration, political science, or a related field.
• Master's degree in a relevant discipline is highly preferred.
• 8-10 years of experience in strategic communications, corporate affairs, or management consulting.
• Proven success in managing stakeholder relations and high-impact communications for large organizations.
• Strong background in project management, strategic planning, and consulting, with a focus on corporate strategy or communications.

We're here to provide excellent service but a little help from you can ensure a five-star candidate experience from start to finish.

Before you click "apply": Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalized CV to further boost your visibility. Our global talent acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviors, but also how candidates align with our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, and excellence.

As part of our candidate experience promise, we also want to make ourselves available to you throughout the application process. We make every effort to review and respond to every application.

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.