Executive Director for Strategic Communications - Qatar, دولة قطر - Korn Ferry Executive Search

وصف

The Institution

Georgetown University is one of the world's leading academic and research institutions, offering a unique educational experience that prepares the next generation of global citizens to lead and make a difference in the world. The university is a vibrant community of exceptional students, faculty, alumni, and professionals dedicated to real-world applications of research, scholarship, faith, and service. The university is committed to the creation of an equitable and inclusive academic and work environment, and to the promotion of deep understanding and appreciation among the diverse members of the University community.

Established in 1789, Georgetown is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the United States. Drawing upon the 450-year-old legacy of Jesuit education, the university provides students with a world-class liberal education, educating the whole person through exposure to different faiths, cultures, and beliefs. Students are challenged to engage in the world, especially with the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community. These values are at the core of Georgetown's identity and are shared by members of the community across diverse backgrounds.

At the invitation of the Qatar Foundation (QF) and with their sponsorship, Georgetown University established a regional campus of its School of Foreign Service in Education City in Doha, Qatar in 2005. Originally known as the School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Q), the campus conferred a four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS) identical to the degree offered at the Georgetown University Main Campus.

In 2015, after 10 years of successful partnership, Georgetown and QF renewed their contract, and with increased academic programming from across Georgetown University, the school was renamed Georgetown University Qatar (GU-Q). The BSFS remains the central educational effort of GU-Q, but there has been new programming added to enhance the student experience in the form of certificate programs, professional master's programs, and community education.

The GU-Q campus promotes the values of Georgetown University and seeks to build upon its world-class reputation by working with the QF as a partner to achieve its endeavors in the Qatar National Vision 2030. The GU-Q campus continues a long Georgetown tradition of international engagement and scholarship in the Middle East, and GU-Q aims to be recognized as the leading academic institution for international affairs in the Middle East through its unfailing excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement.

The Role

The Executive Director of Strategic Communications is a senior leadership position at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), reporting directly to the GU-Q Dean. This position will be responsible for overseeing the Office of Communications and for developing and implementing a comprehensive external communications strategy that enhances GU-Q's visibility locally, regionally, and internationally, and creating an effective internal communications strategy to facilitate accurate, consistent, and timely communication across all levels of the organization. The executive director will develop an externally facing communication strategy geared toward enhancing GU-Q's reputation, propagating its mission and values, promoting its faculty and programming in media outlets, and engaging with various stakeholders, including students, prospective students and families, faculty, staff, alumni, academic institutions, and the broader community.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive internal and external communications strategy that aligns with GU-Q's vision, mission, and values. The strategy will drive the expansion of the institution's intellectual footprint–highlighting its achievements, and amplifying its impact and global reach;

• Oversee the creation of high-quality content for various platforms, including websites, social media, newsletters, and press releases, while ensuring consistency in messaging and branding across all communication channels;

• Establish, cultivate, and maintain effective working relationships with local and international media outlets, journalists, and influencers;

• Ensure that all internal and external communication materials–including publications, videos, websites, and social media–meet the highest standards of excellence.

Key Activities:

• Oversee the development of high-quality print and digital communications and publications;

• Plan for, formulate, and drive all crisis communications strategies;

• Serve as an "early warning system" to the Dean and senior leaders by identifying potentially controversial emerging issues and formulating robust plans to manage, contain, and mitigate them;

• Develop, implement, and evaluate strategic communication plans that align with GU-Q's mission and vision;

• Effectively manage relationships with local and international media, and coordinate media inquiries, interviews, and press releases;

• Oversee the creation of high-caliber print and multiple digital platforms and communication tools, to ensure that GU-Q's messaging is effectively communicated to various target audiences;

• Serve as the principal strategic advisor to the Dean on media and brand management, and institutional reputation management;

• Develop and implement crisis communication plans to effectively respond to and manage issues or emergencies;

• Provide clear and timely communication during crises to mitigate reputational damage;

• Foster strong relationships with external partners, including Qatar Foundation, Education City Partner Universities, local and international media outlets, industry experts, and other academic institutions, in order to raise GU-Q's profile globally;

• Create and maintain a clear and compelling internal communication infrastructure, including intranet, newsletters, memos, and other institutional communication channels;

• Design and implement bespoke internal communication campaigns to promote awareness and understanding of the university's initiatives, policies, and programs;

• Develop and distribute internal communications materials, such as informational guides, FAQs, presentations, and videos, to effectively convey key messages within GU-Q ;

• Lead, manage, and coach a team of communication professionals, including content creators, marketing and media specialists, etc., providing mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities;

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness of communication strategies;

• Regularly evaluate and report on the performance of communication efforts, making data-driven and evidence-based adjustments as needed;

• Stay informed of current trends in communications, marketing, and public relations to strategically enhance GU-Q's position within the higher education landscape;

• Lead cross-functional teams to execute communication campaign strategies and oversee the coordination of communication-related activities (e.g., marketing, social media, etc.);

• Perform other similar duties as assigned.

The Candidate

• Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field;

• 15+ years of experience in strategic communications, media relations, and public relations, preferably within a higher education institution;

• Strong understanding of media settings, including both traditional and emerging platforms;

• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills with a proven track record of developing and executing successful communication strategies enhancing brand reputation and visibility;

• Effective leadership skills with a track record of managing and motivating diverse teams;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences;

• Familiarity with using various communication platforms, including websites, social media, and print materials;

• Proficiency in digital marketing, social media management, and content creation;

• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment;

• Proven track record of building alliances and collaborative partnerships with diverse leaders and stakeholder groups;

• Familiarity with the academic and research landscape, particularly in relation to global education and cross-cultural communication.

******

Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis.