Overview
Director – Public Affairs & Advisory Jobs in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates at Place Communications
Title: Director – Public Affairs & Advisory
Company: Place Communications
Location: Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates
The Director of Public Affairs & Advisory is a senior-level strategic leader responsible for the high-level execution of geopolitical analysis and government relations at Place Communication. You will lead the development of sophisticated narratives that support the UAE’s national identity and long-term vision. This role requires a high-level expert capable of transforming deep geopolitical insights into actionable strategic advice for high-profile clients, ensuring all communication is culturally resonant and aligned with the national narrative.
Key Responsibilities
Geopolitical Strategy & Nation Building
- Lead the rigorous analysis of regional and global trends to assess their impact on UAE government objectives and reputation.
- Design and implement strategic narratives and infrastructure that support UAE nation-building and national identity frameworks.
- Serve as a primary advisor to government entities and leadership, providing evidence-based recommendations on public policy, regulatory issues, and positioning.
- Develop frameworks for large-scale public affairs campaigns, ensuring absolute linguistic accuracy and cultural resonance across all messaging.
Client & Stakeholder Management
- Build and maintain high-level relationships with government officials, regulatory bodies, and influential entities.
- Oversee high-profile client accounts, ensuring consistent, high-quality delivery that meets the agency's standards for "Efficiency & Flow".
- SMonitor and mitigate risks associated with public affairs campaigns to protect the agency’s and client’s reputation.
Operational & Team Leadership
- Champion a high-performance workplace culture with the team’s mental well-being.
- Oversee the strategic rollout of initiatives, conducting rigorous quality control reviews to ensure all assets are free of errors in design or thought.
- Lead cross-functional work groups and develop team members, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
Business Development
- Coordinate with the Managing Director and Director of Strategy & Growth to identify new service offerings and secure new client contracts.
- Represent the agency at industry events and conferences to enhance visibility and build a robust pipeline of opportunities.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- A minimum of 10–12 years in public affairs, government relations, or geopolitical consulting, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity within the UAE or MENA region.
- A profound understanding of Abu Dhabi’s unique market nuances, government protocols, and the specific dynamics of the capital’s agency landscape.
- Proven ability to distill complex geopolitical intelligence into clear, high-impact narratives that support nation-building and national agendas.
- Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Relations, or Communications; an advanced degree (MBA or JD) is highly preferred, reflecting a deep understanding of the "business of law" and policy.
- Exceptional leadership with a track record of orchestrating multi-stakeholder initiatives and managing complex, high-stakes workflows with precision.
- Bilingual fluency in both Arabic and English (written and verbal) is essential.
- A valid UAE Driving License is preferred to support high-level stakeholder engagement across the Emirates.
