VP Corporate Communication

Role Summary We are seeking an experienced and strategic Vice President, Head of Corporate Communications to lead and execute a global corporate communications strategy for a leading financial institution. This executive leadership role is responsible for driving external and internal communications, public relations, executive thought leadership, content strategy, social media management, crisis communications, and ESG communications across multiple markets. The successful candidate will work closely with the CEO, EXCO members, business leaders, and key stakeholders to enhance brand reputation, increase share of voice, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and position the organization as a market-leading financial services brand. This role requires a blend of strategic vision, storytelling excellence, stakeholder management, and data-driven decision-making. Key Responsibilities Develop and execute a comprehensive global corporate communications and public relations strategy aligned to the bank's strategic objectives and brand ambitions. Drive executive thought leadership programs for senior leadership and EXCO members through media engagement, speaking opportunities, and strategic storytelling. Lead all public relations activities, including media relations, reputation management, awards submissions, industry partnerships, and corporate announcements. Develop and oversee crisis communication strategies, ensuring timely and effective management of reputational risks and sensitive issues. Lead internal communications initiatives, including town halls, executive messaging, employee engagement programs, and intranet communications. Create and implement an integrated content strategy across earned, owned, and paid channels, ensuring consistency in brand voice and messaging. Oversee social media strategy and channel management, utilizing analytics and insights to drive audience engagement, brand awareness, and stakeholder sentiment. Lead ESG communications and sustainability storytelling, partnering with business leaders to communicate key ESG initiatives and achievements internally and externally. Manage relationships with global communications, PR, social media, content, and creative agencies to maximize effectiveness, innovation, and ROI. Build, develop, and mentor a high-performing communications team while managing budgets, performance metrics, governance, and strategic priorities. Experience & Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Business Administration, or a related discipline. A Master's degree is advantageous. Minimum 18-20 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, marketing, branding, public relations, or media leadership roles. Strong experience within banking, financial services, or highly regulated industries operating across multiple international markets. Proven track record of leading large-scale corporate communication strategies and enhancing brand reputation at a regional or global level. Demonstrated success in executive communications and developing thought leadership platforms for C-suite and senior executives. Extensive experience in media relations, reputation management, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement. Strong expertise in digital communications, content marketing, social media strategy, and data-driven performance measurement. Experience leading and managing external agencies, including PR, media, social, content, and creative partners across multiple geographies. Fluency in both English and Arabic with exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and storytelling skills. Strong leadership, influencing, stakeholder management, budgeting, and team development capabilities with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Corporate Communications: Thought Leadership, Public Relations, Awards and Conferences. - Build and lead the PR strategy bank-wide in line with the strategic priorities for the bank. - Identify global PR opportunities and partnerships to create unique and impactful communication and deliver thought leadership through relevant platforms. - Lead and provide strategic direction for Mashreq PR and social media to meet Brand KPIs for the year to increase awareness and consideration and ultimately the Brand Finance rankings and position linked to targets set for 2025 and beyond - Work closely with EXCO to build and execute thought leadership and communication strategy for effective corporate storytelling. - Work closely with Center Of Excellence leadership and local agencies to increase Share Of Voice with relevant messaging in local media - Work with local marketing teams and PR agencies to ensure consistent messaging - Crisis management and communications. - Amplify corporate messaging through paid engagement and amplified PR. - Identify external opportunities & engage with external industry stakeholders to secure relevant earned/sponsored opportunities for EXCO members. - Identify opportunities for leadership participation in industry conferences, and support with relevant corporate and brand messaging. - Lead the PR team in providing strategic direction, product related Information/campaign info on all submissions for the participation of the bank in various local and International Awards. - Leading major bank-wide events including media launches Internal Communications: - Work with EXCO to ensure consistent messaging across all forums including Townhalls, corporate comms broadcast, intranet etc. - Work on Corporate Communication messaging for various initiatives – drafting, reviewing and ensuring the messaging is on brand and in line with the thought leadership and other stakeholders/groups - Lead culture communication across teams and agencies to ensure consistent messaging internally and externally. - Support other business units and functions for effective positioning and employee messaging. - Manage and maintain internal communication on the Intranet Content Management: - Lead the development of a holistic content strategy across various marketing channels, ensuring alignment with brand messaging, target audience, and overarching business objectives. - Oversee the creation, curation, and distribution of content across multiple channels, including digital, print, video, and more, ensuring consistency and relevance to the brand's identity. - Continuously evaluate and optimize content performance, leveraging data and insights to drive engagement, conversions, and brand affinity. - Define and implement an integrated content marketing strategy, across key channels including company earned media (PR), paid media (cross-channel advertising, advertorials), website, social media channels, intranet, among others - in English and Arabic - to boost audience understanding of the brand and key initiatives - Ensure content created and published is compelling and consistent in style, quality, and tone of voice - Channel optimisation, brand consistency and meaningful measurement of content impact. Social Strategy and Channel Management - Develop and implement a comprehensive social media strategy to elevate the organization's online presence and engagement, aligning with the overall brand and marketing goals. - Oversee the management and optimization of all social media channels, identifying opportunities for growth, engagement, and strengthening brand loyalty. - Analyze social media data and insights to continuously refine the social strategy, ensuring that it remains effective and aligns with the organization's strategic objectives. - Enhance brand reputation and stakeholder engagement through social media. - Identify the right social media agency partners, set-up the scope of work, negotiate costs and deliverables, and provide high-level direction towards execution of brand communications across channels are compelling, creative and consistent and impactful - Ensure all social channels and content are aligned with the overall brand strategy, with consistent messaging, tonality and brand voice ESG brand strategy and communication - Provide strategic, high-level direction towards the development & delivery of brand and communication campaigns related to ESG in alignment with the business’ wider strategies and goals - Drive bank-wide communications and stakeholder collaboration for critical ESG initiatives and other international partnerships - Ensure all marketing aspects such as Events, Digital, PR & Research, are leveraged effectively to achieve significant results - Track and review campaign performance and provide strategic recommendations to implement learnings - Report key campaign performance and overall ESG communications impact to the EXCO on a quarterly/half-yearly basis. Team Management: - Recruit, induct, train, engage and mentor the communications team across all regions. - Communicate and manage priorities with ongoing interactions, feedback and recognition. - Ensure the team has a customized learning and development relevant to their career and personal growth. Agency management: - End-to-end agency management at a strategic-level – including identifying the right partners, creating business goals-aligned SOWs, negotiations and execution, review and feedback – including media, PR, social, SEO and content development and marketing – globally, including but not restricted to UAE, Egypt, MGN locations (Egypt, Pakistan, Oman, India) and the International Banking Group countries.. - Ensure growing ROI through effective partnering with agency partners and ensure that the Bank gets the desired output and impact for spends. - Quarterly performance reviews to ensure operational efficiency across agency partners. - Oversee relationships with external agencies, ensuring that they align with the organization's strategic vision and deliver high-quality services and results. - Manage the selection, onboarding, and performance evaluation of agencies, setting clear KPIs and expectations to drive accountability and excellence. - Collaborate with agencies to develop integrated marketing and PR campaigns, ensuring coherence and synergy across all communications. Budget Management: - Plan and manage the corporate communications budget, keep a tight control on vertical wise budget, and manage the monthly provisions that are submitted to the CAD and PMAD and reporting to Group Head. - Negotiate with agencies alongside procurement team to ensure efficient budget spends. • A minimum of 18–20 years of experience in Marketing, Branding, and/or Advertising, preferably within the banking or financial services sector, with a strong focus on the Middle East region. • Led a global team for communication and integrated agency management • The ideal candidate will be fluent in both English and Arabic, with exceptional communication and presentation skills that enable effective engagement across diverse audiences. • Well-versed in modern marketing trends and concepts, with the ability to contribute fresh, creative ideas that align with contemporary comms strategies • Sound knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, and analyzing expense for various activities. • Proven success in building relationships both internally and with external parties • Strong interpersonal skills • Team player • Highly organized