Communication Lead

Batterjee Medical College is seeking an experienced and strategic Communication Lead to shape and strengthen the institution’s corporate reputation, media presence, and internal communications.

The Communication Lead will be responsible for developing and executing an integrated communications strategy that ensures a consistent institutional voice across internal and external channels. The role will lead media relations, corporate communications, executive communications, crisis communications, and employee engagement, while positioning the institution as a recognized thought leader within Saudi Arabia’s healthcare and higher education sectors.

The successful candidate will bring strong relationships within the Saudi media landscape, exceptional bilingual communication capabilities, and the ability to translate institutional achievements into compelling narratives aligned with the College’s strategic direction and Saudi Vision 2030.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Communications & Reputation Management

• Develop and implement an integrated corporate communications strategy aligned with institutional priorities and strategic objectives.
  
• Strengthen the institution’s reputation and visibility across healthcare, higher education, and relevant national platforms.
  
• Ensure consistency and quality of corporate messaging across official communications, annual reports, presentations, announcements, and institutional publications.
  
• Develop key messages, briefing documents, speeches, talking points, and communication materials for senior leadership.
  
• Support executive engagements with government entities, healthcare organizations, academic institutions, international partners, and other key stakeholders.
  
• Identify opportunities to position institutional achievements, academic expertise, research, and community impact within relevant national conversations.
  

Media Relations & External Communications

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, producers, and media representatives across Saudi Arabia and the GCC.
  
• Secure strategic media coverage, interviews, features, and thought-leadership opportunities across television, radio, print, and digital media.
  
• Proactively identify and pitch relevant institutional stories, faculty expertise, research achievements, healthcare topics, and community initiatives.
  
• Coordinate faculty and leadership appearances across broadcast and media platforms.
  
• Prepare press releases, media statements, feature articles, interview briefs, and other external communication materials.
  
• Ensure Arabic and English communications are accurate, culturally appropriate, and aligned with institutional positioning.
  

Press Office & Media Operations

• Manage day-to-day press office activities and media inquiries.
  
• Plan and coordinate press conferences, media briefings, interviews, and institutional media events.
  
• Manage media invitations, spokesperson preparation, messaging, event logistics, and post-event coverage analysis.
  
• Maintain an updated media database and build long-term relationships with relevant national and regional media stakeholders.
  
• Coordinate media coverage for major institutional events, partnerships, announcements, and achievements.
  

Crisis & Issues Communication

• Develop and maintain crisis communication plans and response protocols for potential reputational risks.
  
• Lead communication responses during sensitive or high-profile situations in coordination with senior leadership and relevant departments.
  
• Prepare holding statements, key messages, FAQs, spokesperson briefs, and other crisis communication materials.
  
• Monitor emerging issues and provide communication recommendations to protect institutional reputation.
  
• Support and train designated spokespersons to ensure effective, accurate, and consistent media responses.
  

Internal & Executive Communications

• Develop and oversee internal communication strategies that strengthen employee and student engagement.
  
• Draft executive messages, speeches, announcements, video scripts, and leadership communications.
  
• Support communication related to organizational changes, strategic initiatives, institutional achievements, and major announcements.
  
• Manage and enhance internal communication channels, including newsletters, intranet content, and institutional announcements.
  
• Develop engaging stories that highlight faculty, staff, student achievements, institutional culture, and national occasions.
  
• Ensure employees and students remain informed and connected to the institution’s strategic direction and values.
  

Media Monitoring & Performance

• Monitor institutional media coverage, public sentiment, emerging issues, and competitor visibility.
  
• Track and analyze Share of Voice, media reach, sentiment, Earned Media Value, and other relevant communication KPIs.
  
• Prepare regular reports evaluating the impact and effectiveness of communication and PR activities.
  
• Use media intelligence and performance insights to continuously refine communication strategies.
  
• Identify reputational opportunities and risks through ongoing media and stakeholder monitoring.
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, or a related field.
  
• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is preferred.
  

Experience

• 8–10+ years of progressive experience in Corporate Communications, Public Relations, Media Relations, or a related field.
  
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a leadership or senior communications role.
  
• Proven experience developing and executing corporate and media communication strategies.
  
• Strong established relationships with Saudi journalists, editors, producers, and media organizations across television, radio, print, and digital platforms.
  
• Demonstrated experience securing high-profile media coverage and managing senior-level media engagements.
  
• Experience in the Healthcare, Higher Education, or Government sector in Saudi Arabia is highly preferred.
  
• Proven experience in crisis communications, reputation management, and executive communications is an advantage.
  

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional Arabic writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with professional-level English proficiency.
  
• Strong understanding of the Saudi media landscape, cultural context, and communication environment.
  
• Excellent strategic communication and storytelling capabilities.
  
• Strong media relations, networking, and stakeholder management skills.
  
• Ability to develop executive-level speeches, talking points, press releases, and corporate communications.
  
• Strong crisis communication and reputation management capabilities.
  
• Excellent judgment and ability to manage confidential and sensitive matters appropriately.
  
• Strong public speaking, presentation, and media-training skills.
  
• Ability to advise and prepare senior executives for television, radio, and media interviews.
  
• Strategic and analytical mindset with the ability to measure communication impact and translate insights into action.
  
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
  

Critical Requirement

Candidates must have an established professional media network within Saudi Arabia, including relationships with relevant journalists, editors, producers, and media outlets. Strong bilingual Arabic-English communication capability and demonstrated knowledge of the Saudi media landscape are essential for this position.