Head of PR and Communications

Job Title: Head of PR and Communications

Salary: Competitive

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Job Purpose

BAE Systems is the UK Government’s nominated Prime Contractor under the Government-to-Government arrangements that are in place to provide equipment, support and training to Saudi Arabia. We provide maintenance of Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) aircraft and train RSAF and Royal Saudi Naval Force personnel safely in a training environment in how to use their aircraft, equipment and weapons.

BAE Systems Saudi Arabia is committed to supporting the Saudi Arabian National Agenda including Saudisation and the training and development of Saudi National capability through the growth of the Saudi National Partner Companies thereby reinforcing Industrialisation and Partnerships.

The Head of Communications works as a member of a business or functional team typically reporting into a Communications or Business Director. The requirement is to interpret business strategy and significantly contribute to the implementation of a necessary Communications strategy, policy and process in order to support and meet the operational needs of the business, function or project.

At this level the role requires excellent and broad Communications knowledge and experience plus a detailed appreciation/understanding of the business, market and key competitors.

Job Accountabilities

Internal Communication:

Internal Communication – also known as Employee Communication is at its most basic, facilitating strategic connections and conversations within our organization. This communication takes place between leaders, managers and employees – or peer-to-peer, from leader-to-leader or employee-to employee, for example.

External Communication

External communication is the transmission of information between the company and the stakeholders in our external environment. Examples of these people and entities include customers, potential customers, suppliers, investors, shareholders, and society at large. Communication channels include face-to-face communication, print media, such as newspapers, magazines, fliers, and newsletters, broadcast media, such as radio and television, and electronic communication, such as websites, social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, and email.

Public Relations & Events

The strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between our company and the ‘public’. In this sense, the ‘public’ could be defined as stakeholders of any kind – customers, prospects, competitors, community members, employees, etc.

Media Relations

Media Relations is a core aspect of public relations. The terms are not interchangeable as media relations focuses solely on the relationship between the company and the media. They use different media outlets and coverage to tell the company’s story, rather than directly engaging with the publics and key stakeholders.

Brand & Reputation Management

Corporate brand and brand reputation management affects multiple stakeholders (e.g. our employees, customers and investors) and impacts many aspects of the company such as the evaluation of our product and services, corporate identity and culture, sponsorship, and recruitment.

Change Management

The structured process by which change and transformation is planned, implemented and embedded in relation to the people within our business, as well as external stakeholders.

RECRUITMENT SPECIFICATION

• The role typically requires a degree in Business Administration/Communications or related discipline.
• Extensive experience within the Communications field is required along with recent exposure to a management role in a mid-size organization preferably in the aviation/defence industry
• CIPR/ CiB qualifications in Communications has an in depth understanding of Communications concepts and processes within own Communications technical/ Communications subject area and a basic knowledge in other Communications areas.
• The role needs a comprehensive knowledge of several Communications areas & how their processes & resources interact in other areas to achieve functional objectives. A good understanding of industry & commercial awareness is required to understand the relative positioning of the Company’s products/services vs the competition.
• Full management of a team, including management of people, defining roles and responsibilities, planning for the department’s future needs and operations, counselling employees on performance and contributing to employee pay decisions/changes.
• The role evaluates (sometimes complex) situations using multiple sources of information referring to a diverse range of internal and external sources such as procedures and practices (in other teams, areas or companies etc). The complexity implied relates to the ability to filter, prioritise, analyse and validate potentially complex and dynamic material.
• The role holder needs to possess a very high level of communication skills, including interactive listening in order to negotiate (mainly internally) with other often at senior levels.
  
  

Expatriate Employee Benefits

In return for the required high levels of commitment and hard work you will receive a competitive salary, rent free accommodation and access to free recreation facilities, all available within Company secured accommodation. In addition, a generous leave and travel allowance makes this an opportunity not to be missed.

On successfully securing a role your appointment to Saudi Arabia will initially be on single status. On commencement of employment in Saudi Arabia you will have the opportunity to apply to have your family join you in the future. A full health care scheme is provided within Saudi Arabia.

Saudi National Employee Benefits

In return for the required high levels of commitment and hard work you will receive a competitive salary and benefits package, including a generous leave and travel allowance, a full health care scheme and access to subsidised recreational facilities

BAE Systems

At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of 89,600 people in more than 40 countries. Working with customers and local partners, we develop, engineer, manufacture, and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security and people, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.

All appointments in Saudi Arabia are subject to receipt of all necessary Government and/or Customer approvals.