APCO Worldwide Hiring for Senior Assistant Manager – Corporate Function Communications Job at Dubai Full Time

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication and business strategy firm with offices in major cities throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. APCO combines a global perspective with local expertise to help clients around the world manage challenges, opportunities, perceptions and reputations. APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and six of the top 10 companies on the Fortune 500. The firm is a majority women-owned business.

This role is within the Corporate Function Communications team within the Client side

Communications unit. The position’s key areas of responsibility include:

• To strategically devise, implement and oversee the Corporate Units (CU) communications’ approach in support of Client’s business mandate, primarily driving effective and engaging employee communications.
• Manage the internal communication planning, briefing and project processes for corporate units within the Client.
• To lead in developing and executing communication plans, initiatives and activities for the assigned corporate functions within the Client to improve and ensure the effectiveness and timeliness of communication in line with the Group Communications.

Responsibilities

• Internal Engagement and Change Management Communications Planning and Execution
• Provide customized strategic/change management counsel as and when required for corporate units across an array of business topics/themes, communication issues and risks, and improvements on existing communication practices.
• Lead in developing internal communication plans, timelines, and communication platforms /campaigns for key corporate unit programs and initiatives in order to ensure that the right corporate unit information is communicated to the organisation in a timely manner, ensuring that employee communications are engaging, and deliver an optimal employee experience. Lead the annual business planning and project planning cycles working closely with the corporate units and the Centres of Excellence (CoEs)
• Work closely with the corporate unit Leadership and Heads of CoEs in creating, editing and updating content that is aligned to the client’s communication guidelines and tone of voice.
• Develop internal campaign material and work with the relevant Group Communications functions to ensure alignment to the Group’s branding and communication guidelines.
• Lead meetings with the corporate unit project teams to ensure that the delivery of communication and marketing material and requirements is in line with the project requirements and project team specification as well as the Client’s brand and standards, guidelines and specific business requirements
• Work with stakeholders on communications requirements, by contacting suppliers, managing and driving the RFQ process, etc. to ensure that all material and items requested are delivered in a timely manner, and in line with the Clients’ brand guidelines and budgets.
• Execute all communication initiatives and plans by working closely with corporate unit Leadership and Heads of CoEs using project management templates and best practices.
• Initiate and driving strategic and creative campaigns to support the corporate units objectives.
• Provide periodic measurement and evaluation reports and conducting planning workshops with corporate units.
• Perform other related duties or assignments as directed. Communication Planning
• Collaborate with the Leadership and Heads of CoEs to develop internal communication plans, timelines, and communication platforms / campaigns for key engagement and change management programs and initiatives in order to ensure that objectives, benefits and outcomes are communicated to the organisation in a clear, effective and positive manner.

Communications Support

• Work with Leadership and Heads of CoEs in creating and updating relevant content, ensuring alignment with communication guidelines and tone of voice, developing visually attractive material, and ensuring tools and templates are displayed and accessible in an easy manner.
• Facilitate discussions amongst the Leadership and Heads of CoEs in order to prioritise projects, categorise workstreams, and identify areas for collaboration taking into account areas with impact of perception and image in the organisation.
• Contribute to the identification of opportunities for the continuous improvement of functional systems, policies, processes and practices taking into account ‘international leading practice’ in order to improve business processes, productivity and operational efficiency.

Relationship Management

• Act as a central point of contact to facilitate the dialogue with the Group Communications functions and provide adequate support on all engagement initiative requirements such as planning and delivering events, launching internal projects, and designing and marketing key programs.
• Ability to be a communications business partner and trusted advisor to business stakeholders –providing strategic communications counsel and guidance, while delivering on projects and activities in a timely and efficient manner.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications or equivalent.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in progressive and more senior-level roles in internal communications. Preferably, experience in a large-scale organisation with complex business operations or as an Account director in a strategic communications agency.
• Additional relevant experience is an advantage.

Knowledge:

• Good knowledge of communication and influencing techniques and ability to deal with people across a wide range of functions.
• Experience in Strategic Communications, Internal Communications, Employee Engagement and

Change Management a plus.

• Good knowledge of the latest internal communications techniques and practices in order to continue to enhance internal communication efforts.
• Strong knowledge of internal communications channels, platforms, processes and tools.
• Strong project management capabilities and ability to manage multiple projects and provide delivery assurance.
• Excellent written and verbal communications and inter-personal relations skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain successful relationships. § Experience in employee wellbeing initiatives and internal engagement events is advantageous

About APCO in the Middle East and North Africa

Home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world, the Middle East and North Africa region has a pivotal role to play in driving global conversations – from environmental policies to religion and pop culture. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are clear leaders in this equation, although the wave of innovation continues to transcend borders.

APCO launched its regional operations in 2006 in Dubai. Growing from a team of less than 10 consultants, APCO today has over 200 people from 26 countries working in teams across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Manama and Kuwait and our projects take us to countries across the region and the Levant. APCO was awarded Best Agency in the Middle East by PRWeek in 2019 and Best Agency to Work for: EMEA Network by PRovoke Media in 2017 and 2019.

With a portfolio of over 100 clients, APCO’s MENA offices deliver public relations and digital communication support across health, food, consumer & retail, finance, technology, real estate & hospitality, non-profit and public affairs practices. The region also offers specialized services, created for the Middle East, such as our Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model and our Compass and License to Operate offerings.

In addition, APCO’s global AI Comms Lab, a first-of-its-kind innovation center which utilizes artificial intelligence to build and protect the reputations of major global brands, governments and organizations is driven from the Dubai office.

From helping governments connect with the private sector and civil society, to supporting the Pope’s historic visit to the region and launching iconic brands and destinations, we understand the nuances of the MENA region and pride ourselves on making an impact.