Regional Communications Director - Middle East, KSA & Africa

Role Overview

Regional Communications Director for the Middle East, KSA & Africa at Thales, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Company Overview

Thales is a global business operating in aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, employing 80,000 people across 68 countries. For over 50 years, Thales has been a trusted partner of the United Arab Emirates, providing innovative solutions in Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital. With more than 500 employees across three offices in the UAE, Thales Emarat Technologies plays a pivotal role as a key industrial enabler, fostering national sovereignty, self-reliance, and innovation through localization, strategic collaboration, and exporting Made in the Emirates technologies to global markets.

Role Purpose

The Regional Communications Director manages all internal and external communications for the Company, ensuring messages are consistent with Group business strategy and Thales standards, while working with the Head of International Communications and Head of Region to enhance the Group's overall brand and image across the Middle East, KSA and Africa.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Develop an integrated communications strategy for Thales in the Region covering both internal and external communications and scheduling the growth of local capabilities.
• Implement communications plans to increase brand awareness and recognition for the organisation, identifying adequate communication channels.
• Develop the company's internal communication strategy across the Middle East region in coordination with the HR department.
• Take decisions to maximise the return of investment of actions, in line with Group Communications directives.
• Challenge the status quo.

Content & Brand Management

• Manage the creation of regional content and storytelling in line with Group directives.
• Collate and analyse various communications and ensure consistency.
• Master the region's digital and social media trends.

Media Relations & Public Affairs

• Develop relationships with key media to secure and grow media coverage both online and offline.
• Maximise opportunities for positive PR and play down any negative PR.
• Monitor media stories relating to the company in partnership with the Group level.

Events & Stakeholder Engagement

• Deliver local events including exhibitions, events, seminars, and staff briefings.
• Interact daily with the Head of Region, countries' directors, marketing director, key account managers, and HR representatives.
• Cooperate regularly with various departments of Group Communications including Branding and Advertising, Media Relations, Digital Communications, Events and Exhibitions, Managerial and HR functions.
• Work with Thales Global Business Units.

Budget & Performance

• Oversee the annual communications budget and ensure its use is fully maximised for return on investment of initiatives for brand awareness and public audiences.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master degree from University or Business School.
• Minimum 15 years of previous experience in communications within a multinational company.
• Proven experience in management.
• Proven ability to lead communications strategies in complex organisations.
• Experience in Public Affairs appreciated.
• Project management capabilities a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Mandatory proficiency in English and Arabic, both oral and written.
• French knowledge a plus.
• Confident communicator and presenter with refined interpersonal skills.
• Creative and innovative, always looking for excellence.
• Reliable, quality-oriented and conscientious.
• Strong ability to plan, schedule and estimate risk.
• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Layout and design, professional printing and publishing skills a plus.

Additional Information

• Frequent travel in Middle East countries is expected.
• Thales provides careers and mobility opportunities, with mobility policy enabling thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad in existing areas of expertise or in new fields.