Manager - Corporate Communications

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Manager - Corporate Communications

🔹 Company: Apparel Group

🔹 Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

🔹 Job Type: Full time

🔹 Category: Corporate Communications

🔹 Date Posted: April 10, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and executing strategic, integrated communication initiatives to enhance brand reputation and drive stakeholder engagement
• Leading a high-performing communications team in alignment with corporate goals
• Managing media relations, internal communications, crisis communication, stakeholder engagement, and brand reputation management
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on communication strategies and initiatives

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and proven experience in corporate communications to drive successful outcomes across various channels and stakeholders.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Strategic Communication Planning: Develop and implement integrated communication strategies aligned with the company’s vision, mission, and business objectives. Ensure consistent messaging across all communication channels, both internally and externally. Define thought leadership strategies and opportunities for chairman and chairwoman and senior leadership.

✅ Media Relations: Serve as the primary point of contact for media inquiries and build strong relationships with journalists, editors, and influencers. Draft and distribute press releases, media kits, and other communication materials. Monitor media coverage and prepare regular reports for senior management.

✅ Internal Communications: Develop and execute internal communication plans to foster employee engagement and alignment with corporate goals. Create and distribute newsletters, intranet content, and other internal communication tools. Support leadership in delivering key messages to employees.

✅ Crisis Communication: Develop and maintain a robust crisis communication plan to address potential issues proactively.

✅ Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including partners, community leaders, and industry associations.

✅ Brand Reputation Management: Monitor public perception of the brand and implement strategies to enhance and protect the company’s reputation. Collaborate with PR and social media teams to align corporate communication with brand initiatives.

✅ Content Creation: Oversee the creation of high-quality content for corporate websites, social media, annual reports, and other platforms. Ensure all communication materials are accurate, consistent, and reflect the company’s values.

✅ Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a team of communication professionals, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on communication strategies and initiatives.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, creativity, and strong leadership skills to manage multiple projects and teams effectively.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or a related discipline.

Experience: 8 to 10 years or more of progressively responsible experience in corporate communications, public relations, or a closely related field.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in developing and executing integrated communication strategies
• Strong media relations and crisis communication skills
• Ability to lead and mentor high-performing teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the retail apparel and fashion industry
• Bilingual or multilingual skills
• Proven experience in brand reputation management

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in corporate communications, proven leadership skills, and experience in media relations and crisis communication are most likely to succeed in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: ASSUMPTION: Based on industry standards for a senior corporate communications role in Dubai, the estimated salary range is AED 35,000 - 50,000 per month (USD 9,525 - 13,636).

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Employee discounts

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility to work additional hours as needed to meet deadlines or manage crises.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: The Apparel Group is part of the retail and hospitality conglomerate in the GCC and India, focusing on the retail apparel and fashion industry.

Company Size: The Apparel Group has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Founded: The Apparel Group was founded in 2012, with a focus on offering affordable fashion and merchandise to customers in the Middle East and India.

Company Description:

• Founded in 2012, R&B today is the fastest-growing value fashion retailer in the GCC and India, offering latest fashion at affordable prices.
• R&B currently has over 135 stores across the Middle East and India along with an online shopping platform for customer convenience in key markets.
• The merchandise at R&B is regularly updated to ensure it always delights customers with a fresh and new offering, adding vibrancy to the store.

Company Specialties:

• Retail apparel and fashion
• Value fashion and merchandise
• Customer loyalty programs

Company Website: http://www.randbfashion.com

ASSUMPTION: The Apparel Group focuses on providing affordable fashion and merchandise to customers, with a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction and brand reputation.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior-level management position, requiring strategic thinking, leadership, and proven experience in corporate communications.

Reporting Structure: The Manager - Corporate Communications will report directly to the senior leadership team and work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on communication strategies and initiatives.

Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the primary location in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. However, there may be opportunities for remote work or hybrid arrangements, depending on the company's policies and the candidate's needs.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to a more senior role within the communications department or the broader organization
• Expanding leadership and management skills through team mentoring and project management
• Developing expertise in specific areas of corporate communications, such as crisis communication or brand reputation management

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for candidates with strong leadership skills and a proven track record in corporate communications.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: The primary office is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with potential opportunities for remote work or hybrid arrangements.

Office Location(s): Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Geographic Context:

• Dubai is a major business hub in the Middle East, offering a vibrant and multicultural work environment
• The United Arab Emirates has a tax-free income policy, which may be attractive to some candidates
• The region is known for its strong retail and hospitality industry, providing ample opportunities for networking and professional growth

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility to work additional hours as needed to meet deadlines or manage crises.

ASSUMPTION: The work environment in Dubai offers a diverse and dynamic setting, with opportunities for professional growth and networking within the retail and hospitality industry.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
• Final interview with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and communication planning
• Media relations and crisis communication skills
• Leadership and team management abilities
• Alignment with company values and culture

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant experience in corporate communications, media relations, and crisis communication
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your strategic thinking, leadership, and communication skills
• Prepare examples of successful communication campaigns or projects you've led in the past
• Research the Apparel Group and R&B to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its values

ATS Keywords: Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Crisis Communication, Strategic Planning, Team Leadership, Retail Apparel, Fashion Industry

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, communication skills, and leadership abilities, as well as their alignment with the company's values and culture.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Crisis communication software (e.g., OnSolve, Everbridge)
• Media monitoring and analysis tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24)
• Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for corporate communications professionals, with a focus on project management, media monitoring, and crisis communication software.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer-centricity
• Innovation and creativity
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Integrity and accountability
• Passion for fashion

Work Style:

• Dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Strong focus on collaboration and teamwork
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Results-driven and performance-oriented culture

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with the company's value of customer-centricity, and how have you demonstrated this in your previous roles?
• Describe a time when you had to work collaboratively with a cross-functional team to achieve a common goal. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience?
• How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and innovations in the retail apparel and fashion industry?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong alignment with the company's values, a collaborative work style, and a passion for the retail apparel and fashion industry are most likely to thrive in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and teams simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills and time management
• Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, with the need to adapt quickly to changing priorities and deadlines
• Dealing with sensitive or high-stakes communication issues, requiring strong crisis communication skills and judgment
• Balancing the needs of various stakeholders, including employees, customers, partners, and the media

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills to succeed.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other corporate communications roles, this position places a stronger emphasis on media relations, crisis communication, and stakeholder engagement
• The retail apparel and fashion industry is highly competitive and dynamic, requiring a strong understanding of market trends and customer preferences
• This role offers significant growth opportunities for candidates with strong leadership skills and a proven track record in corporate communications

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be aware of the unique aspects of this role and the retail apparel and fashion industry to ensure a strong fit and successful transition into the organization.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a comprehensive crisis communication plan for a high-profile event or issue
• Managing a team to create and distribute a series of press releases, media kits, and other communication materials to announce a major company milestone or achievement
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create and implement a thought leadership strategy for the company's chairman and chairwoman

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to showcase the candidate's ability to manage multiple projects, lead teams, and develop strategic communication plans tailored to the company's unique needs and goals.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the company's approach to crisis communication, and how has it evolved over time?
• How does the company support the professional growth and development of its employees, particularly within the communications department?
• Can you provide an example of a successful communication campaign or project that the company has implemented in the past, and what were the key lessons learned from that experience?
• How does the company balance the need for consistent messaging with the desire to foster a dynamic and innovative work environment?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the company in the coming year, and how can the corporate communications team support the organization in addressing those challenges?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to help candidates better understand the company's approach to corporate communications, its culture, and the specific challenges and opportunities facing the organization.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your strategic thinking, leadership, and communication skills, as well as your relevant experience in corporate communications
• Prepare examples of successful communication campaigns or projects you've led in the past, demonstrating your ability to manage multiple projects and teams
• Research the Apparel Group and R&B to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its values
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and reiterate your interest in the position

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.