Strategic Communications Manager

Overview

Strategic Communication Planning

• Develop and implement a strategic communications plan that aligns with UAENO’s vision, mission, and MarComms goals.
• Collaborate with internal teams to create integrated communication strategies that support audience engagement, ticket sales, and partnerships.
• Advise and guide leadership on communication strategies, ensuring messages are consistent, impactful, and tailored to specific audiences.
• Develop and execute external communications plans for concerts, season launches, milestones, partnerships, education initiatives, and institutional announcements, in line with the overall communications strategy set by the Director.
• Build the communications workstream for every major campaign brief, covering target audiences, key messages, media strategy, spokesperson planning, issue risks, and reporting requirements.
• Translate strategic brand narratives into audience-ready communication angles, message houses, FAQs, statements, and briefing materials in Arabic and English.

Media Relations And Public Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, and industry influencers to secure coverage for UAENO events, performances, and initiatives.
• Write and distribute press releases, media statements, and op-eds to generate media coverage and enhance UAENO's visibility.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Tier 1 and Tier 2 media across Arabic and English print, online, TV, radio, wires, and relevant cultural or lifestyle platforms.
• Lead the orchestra’s press office operations, including press releases, media alerts, press invitations, listings, interview coordination, briefing notes, and follow-up.
• Proactively identify story opportunities and media angles that build awareness, familiarity, and consideration for the orchestra among priority audiences.
• Act as the spokesperson for UAENO when appropriate and as designated by the Marketing and Communications Director.
• Monitor media coverage and track public perception of UAENO to ensure alignment with organizational objectives.

Internal Communications

• Develop and execute an internal communications strategy to ensure consistent messaging across all departments and alignment with the orchestra’s goals.
• Create and distribute internal newsletters, bulletins, and updates that engage staff and keep them informed about UAENO’s activities, achievements, and key initiatives.
• Foster a culture of transparency and collaboration through effective communication practices within the organization.

Narrative Development & Content Stewardship

• Own the message house and external communications narrative framework in Arabic and English, ensuring consistency across presentations, press materials, web copy, speeches, social copy, scripts, and stakeholder-facing communications ensuring they reflect UAENO’s artistic vision and values.
• Draft and edit high-quality Arabic and English external communications materials, including speeches, talking points, boilerplates, statements, op-eds, and event scripts.
• Craft compelling narratives about UAENO’s performances, initiatives, and collaborations to share across multiple platforms.
• Oversee content development for media, digital platforms, and promotional materials to ensure it aligns with the orchestra’s brand and messaging, ensuring it is culturally appropriate, accurate, on brand, and adapted to the UAE media and stakeholder context.
• Collaborate with the Artistic and Production teams to highlight key performances and initiatives through strategic content creation.

Crisis Communication And Reputation Management

• Develop and manage crisis communication strategies to protect the orchestra’s reputation during challenging situations.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership on media and communication responses during crises.
• Monitor external communication channels for emerging issues or concerns that may impact UAENO’s public image and proactively address them.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Identify and build relationships with key stakeholders, including government bodies, corporate sponsors, arts institutions, and community organizations, to support UAENO’s visibility and objectives.
• Support the development of strategic partnerships through effective communication practices that resonate with external partners.
• Design and execute community engagement initiatives that showcase UAENO’s commitment to diversity, accessibility, and education.

Spokesperson Support And Media Training

• Serve as an authorized day-to-day spokesperson where appropriate, particularly for Arabic media, operational updates, and lower-risk external engagements.
• Prepare spokesperson packs, Q&As, key messages, and interview briefings for the Managing Director, Director, Artistic Director, musicians, and other designated representatives.
• Plan and deliver media-training support and rehearsal sessions for internal spokespeople to ensure message discipline and interview readiness.
• Media Intelligence, Share of Voice, and Reporting
• Own media monitoring and reporting across traditional, digital, and social media sources in Arabic and English.
• Track and report on coverage volume, sentiment, share of voice, key message pull-through, outlet quality, and media outcomes for campaigns and milestones.
• Produce weekly, campaign, and post-incident reporting with clear insight into what landed, what did not, and what should change next.
• Track and measure the effectiveness of communication campaigns and initiatives through metrics, including media coverage, audience engagement, and public perception.
• Provide regular reports to the Marketing and Communications Director on communication outcomes and insights, suggesting improvements where necessary.
• Conduct post-campaign analysis to evaluate the success of strategic communications and refine future approaches.

Financial

• Support the Marketing and Communications Director in developing and managing the communications budget.
• Ensure effective use of resources to deliver high-quality communications materials and strategies within the allocated budget.

Non-Financial

• Strengthen UAENO’s public profile and brand image through effective strategic communications.
• Ensure that all communication materials and public statements uphold UAENO’s values and artistic direction.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve communications objectives aligned with broader organizational goals.
• Contribute to the success of UAENO’s marketing and community engagement efforts through targeted communications strategies.