Associate Director | Director International Media Relations (Bilingual- Arabic & English)

More about the role:

We are looking for a senior, bilingual International Media Relations professional to join Burson as part of a dedicated seconded team embedded within the Corporate Communications function of a high-profile global organisation operating at the intersection of energy, policy and international affairs.

This role sits at the heart of complex, high-stakes communications across regional and international markets. You will lead strategic media engagement, shape narratives that resonate across Arabic and international press, and serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders navigating an evolving geopolitical and business landscape. Experience across energy, oil, gas or adjacent regulated sectors will be highly advantageous.

This is an opportunity for a commercially astute communications leader who thrives in sophisticated environments and understands the nuance of operating within regionally sensitive, globally visible mandates.

What you'll do:

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  Lead international and regional media strategy development and execution across Arabic and global markets

  
  


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  Serve as a senior counsel to client leadership on proactive and reactive media engagement

  
  


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  Develop clear, compelling messaging frameworks, Q&A documents and media responses

  
  


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  Oversee press office operations including media planning, pitching and journalist engagement

  
  


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  Build and maintain strong relationships with Tier 1 Arabic and international media

  
  


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  Manage high-profile announcements, executive interviews and press conferences

  
  


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  Provide crisis communications support including rapid response planning and issue mitigation

  
  


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  Collaborate with Burson and client stakeholders to ensure narrative consistency across markets

  
  

Experience that contributes to success:

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  Fluent in Arabic and English (spoken and written) with exceptional drafting capability in both languages

  
  


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  Proven experience in international media relations at Associate Director or Director level within an agency or in-house corporate communications team

  
  


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  Strong, established media network across GCC and wider regional press

  
  


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  Deep understanding of the Middle East media landscape and its geopolitical sensitivities

  
  


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  Experience supporting senior executives with media preparation and reputation management

  
  


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  Background in energy, oil, gas, infrastructure or other complex regulated sectors preferred

  
  


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  Demonstrated experience managing issues and crisis communications

  
  


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  Ability to operate confidently within embedded/seconded environments and complex stakeholder structures

  
  

If you are a strategic, bilingual media leader ready to operate at the forefront of international communications, we would love to here from you.

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