Associate - Public Relations

Job Description

Company Description

We are a leading, full-service, integrated, communications and marketing services agency that delivers industry-defining work and next-generation solutions for brands, businesses and organisations. In the Middle East, North Africa & Turkey (MENAT region), our network comprises a hyper-connected, awardwinning network with a presence in 13 cities – including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Doha and Istanbul. Our team comprises social media experts, digital specialists, creatives, strategists, analysts and PR professionals who believe in the power of collaboration to deliver high-value, high-impact communications and business solutions for our clients. By welcoming outstanding and diverse talents to our team, we complement our sector expertise with specialisms such as content, content production, creative design, creative technology, digital platforms, influencer marketing, integrated media, media relations, social strategy and engagement, strategic planning, and video productions. Weber Shandwick was honored as the PRovoke Global Agency of the Decade (2020), PRWeek Global Best Agency in Middle East (2020), PRCA MENA Large Consultancy of the Year (2022, 2021, 2019) and PRCA MENA Digital Team of the Year (2021, 2020). Weber Shandwick was named to Ad Age’s Agency AList in 2020 and Best Places to Work in 2019, in addition to being certified as a Great Place to Work® UAE | Turkey (2022).

What’s happening? An amazing opportunity: join a highly creative, multi-disciplined global communications agency and network. What this means: the opportunity to work on some of the best brands in the world, the ability to draw on all the resources of a top global networked agency, and the chance to work in an entrepreneurial environment.

Who do we need?

• Ideally, you should have 1-2 years of agency/consulting or related experience with a background in consumer PR.
• You are adept at drawing upon previous experience to provide clients with knowledge and counsel – all complemented by your client servicing skills and media relations with key journalists in both local and regional media.
• You will demonstrate solid and well-rounded communication skills, such as writing, media placement and client relationships.
• You will have a basic understanding of the role of digital and may have initial experience across digital strategy, community management and/or content production.

What will you be doing?

Client Relations:

• Build strong relationships with assigned client contacts. Demonstrate a proactive stance with all assigned accounts by offering new ideas and new ways of generating success, including identifying digital opportunities. Provide tactical counsel to all clients.

• Market knowledge – actively working to create a good knowledge of current developments and trends affecting the clients’ industries and markets.

• Analyzing problems – anticipating and identifying problems relating to client work. Pre-empts issues that may arise and prepare to action appropriately. Communications Skills:

• Writing – can write in a range of styles including news releases, case studies, status reports, articles and proposals; research and write copy for features, op-eds and other long-form content.

• Media liaison – manage day-to-day media requests and inquiries; support media at client events; establish and build strong relationships with media; distribute and follow up on releases; manage all press opportunities; pitch opportunities, stories and angles with targeted media.

• Stakeholder relationships – develop third-party contacts which are relevant to your role (i.e., suppliers, government relations, media and financial analysts and expert opinion leaders)

• Quality standards – always produce high standard of work, paying attention to detail and removing the possibility of careless errors. The Associate will also work to maintain all company quality standards continually looking for areas of improvement.

• Presentation skills – establish a strong grasp of presentation skills and take an active role in internal and company presentations, wherever possible.

• Research & analysis – conduct and analyze research (i.e., desktop research, media audit, competitive analysis, SWOT analysis) to derive insights on client’s sector.

New Business:

• Contribute to new business opportunities, whether by supporting on research and media audits or by participating in pitches to prospective clients Industry and

Market Knowledge:
• Maintain a strong understanding of client’s business priorities and work to create a good knowledge of current developments and trends affecting the clients’ industries and markets.
• Have knowledge of the role of social media channels in PR and how to best utilize each channel to the clients’ benefit.

• Demonstrate understanding of the clients’ digital work and provide counsel to team on social media content and activations.

Account Team Support:
• Assist in financial management for clients, including activity reports.

Skills & Requirements:

• Minimum 1 year of experience 
• Understand and articulate the basics of advertising and marketing 

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills & pro-active approach to creative projects
• Demonstrates a solid understanding of digital campaigns and how they are executed
• Saudi National preferred