Misk Schools Looking for Communications Manager at الرياض السعودية Full Time

Primary objective

The core purpose of the Communications Manager is to develop and deliver a communications plan in support of the school’s overall Communications and Marketing strategy. In particular, the role requires an expert and fluent English-language speaker and writer who can create original content and ensure that all written communication with internal and external stakeholders is engaging, accurate and error free, and that it conforms to Misk Schools guidelines. Bilingual English-Arabic skills are highly desirable.

Areas of responsibility

• develop and deliver a communications plan that clearly captures objectives, audiences, channels, messages and measurement, adding demonstrable value to the Department’s overall strategy
• report on and write about all school functions and activities for the school’s public website. This will require an ability to forge strong relationships with key stakeholders
• write, edit and proofread content for a variety of promotional materials (press releases, newsletters, website, school brochures, leaflets, advertisements, advertorials, opinion articles/ by-lines, videos, etc.)
• write content for the school’s social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube)
• develop and maintain the school’s Style Guide
• edit, rewrite and/or proofread communication/ correspondence written by the school management and faculty for external stakeholders
• source content for weekly internal and external communications to parents and staff including the Weekly Update to Parents (WU), Notices to faculty, etc. For each of these, proofread the English and oversee translation into Arabic
• actively target speaker platforms for school leaders, teachers and experts, pitching ideas and securing opportunities at relevant educational and leadership events

• build a strong media relations programme, targeting local, regional and international educational magazines, podcasts and journals to secure regular, high quality media coverage that positions Misk Schools as an innovator and thought leader
• ensure that the content of documents to be published internally or externally conforms with Misk Schools’ guidelines
• ensure that content for publication is accurate, complete and lawful
• work closely with the Misk Schools translator and/or external specialists to ensure all translations into Arabic are of the highest quality
• undertake additional duties as and when required by the Director of Communications and Marketing.

Safeguarding

• the post holder will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and follow the school’s safeguarding policies and the staff code of conduct
• he/she will directly support the Designated Safeguarding Lead as a priority to ensure the safety and well-being of all students at the school.

Suitable qualifications

• Bachelor of English, Journalism, Communication and Media or similar
• English Language certification at Common European Framework (CEF) level C2 eg, Cambridge Proficiency, IELTS 8.0 or equivalent (for non-native speakers).

Desirable experience

• a minimum of eight years’ experience working as a senior writer/editor/reporter for a newspaper/ magazine, as part of an in-house team or in a freelance capacity
• minimum of four years’ experience leading and managing a team
• English to Arabic translation skills would be beneficial
• experience in education would be beneficial.

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• advanced ability to communicate totally fluently and professionally in written and spoken English is a prerequisite
• fluency in written and spoken Arabic is highly desirable
• evidence of good organisational skills, including record keeping/ archiving
• team player with the ability to develop and maintain critical relationships internally and externally, including with people from other cultures
• proactive approach and enthusiasm for working in an environment of positive change and development
• ability to be flexible, organise own workload, attention to detail, work under pressure, and meet agreed deadlines
• commitment to professional development by taking part in training, mentoring, and coaching
• proficiency in the use of IT for administration purposes.