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Job Function
Corporate Affairs
Job Level
P4
Supervisor
Senior Director, Head of Corporate Affairs, Gulf
Location
Dubai, UAE, with regular travel to other Gulf markets as required
Position Description:
The Associate Director - External Affairs & Corporate Communications Lead, holds end-to-end accountability for the design and delivery of an integrated communications function spanning corporate reputation, internal communications, media relations, executive positioning, crisis management, and therapeutic area communications across the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar.
This is a senior individual contributor role operating with a high degree of autonomy and strategic independence. The role serves as the primary communications advisor to the General Manager and the Head of Corporate Affairs, Gulf, making independent judgements on reputational risk, issues response, and communications strategy across a complex, multi-market environment.
A distinctive element of this role is serving as the communications lead for Lilly's Oncology and Neuroscience therapeutic areas in the Gulf, working closely with the respective business units, cross functional teams including medical affairs teams to develop disease awareness campaigns, support product communications, and position Lilly as a leader in these critical areas of medicine. The role also holds Gulf-wide accountability for digital and media strategy and represents Lilly's communications function in cross-functional leadership forums and global communications networks.
Key Responsibilities:
Communications Strategy and Function Leadership:
Hold full strategic and operational ownership of the Gulf communications function, setting in collaborations with the Therapeutic Communications Lead, a multi-year direction and annual plans across all communications disciplines.
Define the Gulf communications strategy, ensuring coherent integration across corporate reputation, internal communications, therapeutic area communications, media, digital, and executive positioning workstreams.
Align Gulf strategy with Lilly's global communications framework, brand positioning, and enterprise messaging, while exercising independent judgement to adapt and prioritise for regional context.
Establish annual communications plans with clear objectives, key messages, target audiences, channels, budget allocation, and measurable success metrics.
Serve as counsel to the General Manager and Head of Corporate Affairs, providing proactive strategic advice on communications opportunities, emerging risks, and reputational considerations.
Represent the Gulf communications function in relevant global communications leadership networks and cross-regional forums.
Hold accountability for the Gulf communications budget, including agency and vendor management, resource allocation, and financial reporting.
Monitor communications trends, best practices, and emerging channels to ensure Lilly's approach remains effective and contemporary.
Provide functional guidance and subject matter direction to the Senior Manager, Therapeutic Communications, ensuring alignment with the overall Gulf communications strategy and quality standards.
External Communications and Media Relations:
Develop and oversee the external communications strategy that enhances Lilly's visibility and reputation across the Gulf.
Build and maintain productive relationships with journalists, editors, and media outlets across the region.
Oversee development of press materials including press releases, media statements, Q&As, and backgrounders.
Coordinate media interviews and briefings for the General Manager, Head of Corporate Affairs, and other Lilly spokespeople.
Direct media monitoring and provide regular analysis and reporting on Lilly's share of voice and reputation indicators.
Oversee management of media enquiries and ensure timely, accurate, and on-message responses.
Direct social media and digital communications strategies to engage external stakeholders and amplify Lilly's presence across the Gulf.
Internal Communications and Employee Engagement:
Develop and own the internal communications strategy for the Gulf region, ensuring employees across all three markets are consistently informed, engaged, and connected to Lilly's purpose and priorities.
Serve as the primary internal communications advisor to the General Manager and leadership team, supporting communication of business updates, commercial milestones, strategic priorities, and organisational changes.
Develop a Gulf-wide internal communications calendar aligned to the regional business cycle, global enterprise communications moments, and key employee engagement touchpoints.
Create and oversee production of internal communications content across relevant channels including leadership messages, town hall materials, intranet content, newsletters, and all-staff announcements.
Lead change management communications for Gulf-specific organisational or operational changes, ensuring employees receive timely, clear, and consistent messaging.
Partner with Human Resources on employee engagement initiatives, recognition programmes, and culture-building communications.
Coordinate with the global internal communications function to cascade enterprise messages, ensuring global narratives are adapted for Gulf context, cultural nuance, and language where required.
Establish metrics to track employee communications reach, engagement, and effectiveness, and use insights to continuously improve the internal communications approach.
Oncology & Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Communications:
Serve as the communications lead for Lilly's Oncology and Neuroscience businesses in the Gulf region.
Develop and oversee communications strategies that support product launches, lifecycle management, and market access objectives for both therapeutic areas.
Direct development of disease awareness campaigns and educational content on cancers, neurological conditions, and psychiatric disorders addressed by Lilly's portfolio.
Partner with Oncology and Neuroscience medical affairs teams on scientific communications, congress presence, and key opinion leader engagement.
Lead efforts to address stigma and raise awareness around mental health and neurological conditions through thoughtful and sensitive communications.
Oversee development of patient stories and testimonials that humanise the impact of Lilly's medicines in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with global therapeutic area communications teams to align regional activities with enterprise campaigns and messaging.
Executive Communications and Thought Leadership:
Develop and manage executive communications programmes for the General Manager and leadership team.
Oversee development of speeches, presentations, op-eds, and thought leadership content for senior executives.
Identify speaking opportunities at conferences, industry events, and media platforms to enhance executive visibility.
Prepare executives for media interviews, panel discussions, and public appearances.
Reputation Management and Issues Response:
Hold primary accountability for monitoring, assessing, and managing reputational risks across the Gulf region, making real-time judgement calls on issues response and escalation.
Develop and maintain a comprehensive issues management framework and crisis communications playbooks for the Gulf, ensuring readiness across a range of scenarios.
Provide independent counsel to the General Manager and Head of Corporate Affairs on reputational matters, including recommended positions, messaging, and stakeholder management approaches.
Coordinate with global communications, legal, and compliance on sensitive matters, ensuring appropriate escalation and alignment with enterprise-level positions.
Senior Leadership Visits and Events:
Support the Head of Corporate Affairs in planning and executing communications for visits by global executives and senior leaders.
Oversee development of communications materials, media opportunities, and internal announcements related to executive visits.
Lead communications planning and execution for corporate events, product launches, and stakeholder gatherings.
Reporting, Measurement, and Administration:
Establish metrics and measurement frameworks to evaluate communications effectiveness and impact across all channels.
Prepare regular reports on communications activities, media coverage, reputation indicators, and employee engagement for the Head of Corporate Affairs.
Manage relationships with external agencies, consultants, and vendors supporting respective communications activities.
Ensure all communications activities comply with Lilly's policies, industry codes, and regulatory requirements.
Qualifications:
Minimum of 12–15 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public affairs, or a related field, with a demonstrable trajectory of increasing seniority and scope.
Proven track record of operating as a senior communications strategist and advisor, with demonstrated ability to set and own a communications function agenda independently across multiple disciplines simultaneously.
At least eight years focused on healthcare, pharmaceutical, or life sciences communications, with deep familiarity with the regulatory and compliance environment governing pharmaceutical communications.
Proven experience owning an integrated, multi-workstream communications function spanning corporate reputation, internal communications, media, digital, and therapeutic area communications
Experience in the Gulf region or broader Middle East, with strong understanding of the regional media landscape, cultural and stakeholder dynamics, and multi-market operating environments.
Demonstrated track record in crisis communications and issues management, including leading real-time response and advising senior leadership independently and under pressure.
Proven ability to develop and deliver executive communications and thought leadership programmes for General Manager and senior leadership audiences.
Experience in therapeutic area communications, with Oncology and/or Neuroscience experience particularly valued.
Strong media relations skills with established relationships with Gulf-based journalists and media outlets.
Demonstrated ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders, including General Manager-level leadership, with credibility, gravitas, and independence.
Experience managing agency relationships, communications budgets, and vendor performance at a senior level.
Familiarity with digital communications, social media strategies, and emerging platforms.
Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills in English; ability to communicate with precision and impact across diverse audiences.
Arabic language proficiency required.
Degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related discipline; advanced degree desirable.
Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.
Lilly does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
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