Senior Manager - Corporate Communications
M. H. Alshaya Co.
Total years of experience :30 years, 5 Months
Key responsibilities:
• Contribute to Alshaya’s internal communications strategy, ensuring alignment with the wider corporate comms agenda
• Ensure Alshaya’s corporate narrative is effectively communicated internally - identifying and placing content in support of Alshaya’s key messaging objectives and Corporate Story Calendar
• Manage development and delivery of Corporate Announcements, Corporate Updates and ‘all channel’ internal marketing campaigns in dual language (Arabic/English)
• Ensure timely delivery of engaging, measurable comms plans to support company initiatives and major change projects (as assigned) - collaborating effectively with functional stakeholders (HR, IT, eCommerce, etc.) to influence outcomes
• Ensure all processes / guidance within Area of Responsibility (AOR) are up to date, relevant and support communications best practice across the business
• Proactive management of direct reports and other team members within matrix-based structure to drive performance and support employee development
Main Achievements:
• Enhanced employee adoption and understanding of key change management programs, including company-wide IT, and HR transformation projects by creating and implementing multi-channel internal communication campaigns across all operating markets in multiple languages
• Managed the re-branding project of Alshaya Group to amalgamate all Alshaya operations into one brand identity across all its operating markets; ensuring full adaptation on all communication channels and platforms
• Led the internal communications team in delivering the annual awards of excellence ceremonies in all celebrating markets in 2017, 2018 and 2019
• Significantly improved the company’s abilities to engage with its customers online, as well as monitor and listen to their feedback, across its wide range of social media channels by independently negotiating and delivering a multi-year contract for social media monitoring and listening dashboard, in collaboration with ‘Social Bakers’ and ‘Brand Watch’
Senior role in the Corporate Communications Division, reporting directly to the DCEO, and indirectly to the CEO on all Corporate Communications programs and activities.
Highlights of Responsibilities and Achievements:
• Developed and directed the execution of ATL, BTL traditional and digital multinational Marketing Communication campaigns and strategies based on market research and competitive analysis for the NBK Watani Brokerage, a division of NBK Capital that provides a wide range of brokerage products and services in local, regional and international capital markets.
• Directed all Internal Corporate Communications initiatives and functions, including employee communications, newsletters production and publishing, HR Communications and CEO Communications, as well as management and development of all employee faced online messages through the intranet platform of the company.
• Directed all External Communication initiatives and activities including management of the corporate website, in addition to all other external and Social Media communications to ensure consistency of the message, adequate reflection of company’s news and protection of brand reputation.
• Organized and successfully executed the plan to launch The Insight Forum 2015, NBK Capital’s first annual business conference for elite NBK prospect clients, customers and niche investors in Kuwait.
• Developed and managed the successful launch of multi-phase Marketing, PR and Social Media campaigns and marketing activities to celebrate NBK Capital’s 10th Anniversary in 2015.
In this leading role, reporting directly to the Vice President of Corporate Communications, I helped Alshaya management team in building the new infrastructure of the Corporate Communications Department and managed all aspects of External Corporate Communications including PR, Press Affairs and CSR Programs.
Main Achievements:
• Founding member of the external communications department, executing key media and PR campaigns to support the expansion of Alshaya’s portfolio with international brands. Campaigns included the opening of Phase III of The Avenues that brought more than 22 new international retail brands to Kuwait.
• Developed and managed all press and PR action plans for the launch of several new international brands in Kuwait, Dubai and KSA such as: The Cheesecake Factory, Starbucks Reserve, Shake Shack, Texas RoadHouse, MUJI, KidZania and many others.
Highlights of Responsibilities and Achievements:
• Organized, directed and executed a US $50, 000 three-year program (2006-2009) from the US Departments of Defense and State to support Media Navy Tours for Kuwaiti journalists at U.S. Naval Bases and Fifth Fleet Aircraft Carriers and battle ships in the Gulf.
• Designed and managed training programs for Kuwaiti and Saudi journalists in the GCC region and in the US in cooperation with the US State Department.
• Planned, managed and conducted a media tour in 2009 for a special team from Al-Rai TV in Kuwait to produce a documentary TV program on the life of Kuwaiti students at US educational institutions. As a result of the successful program, I was recognized as the Employee of the Year in 2009 for the role I played in fostering US - Kuwait bilateral cultural relationships.
• Prepared and organized special events, cultural functions, and assisted in the preparations for VIP US Government Officials including Presidential, Vice Presidential and Department Secretaries visits to the region.
• Built and maintained regular diplomatic contacts base with high-level Kuwaiti and Saudi officials in media and government circles at the Editor-in-Chief and Under Secretary and Secretary levels.
• Handled practical liaison issues between US CENTCOM Public Affairs Officers and high-levels of the Kuwaiti and Saudi officials at the Ministries of Information and Defense.
• Acted as Media Advisor for the Public Affairs Officer, Ambassador, and other Senior Embassy officers
• Review Arabic local newspapers to identify areas of interest to the mission
• Translate Daily Editorials of selected newspapers and assist in the production of the Media Reaction report.
• Coordinate the preparation and distribution of the Washington File news bulletin to contact lists both electronically and in hard copy
• Prepare Media Reaction and Western Region Press Summary Reports for the front office, Washington Press Office, and to a growing list of diplomats and media contacts.
• Establish and maintain press contacts for the mission and manage a wide variety of databases.
• Prepare and organize special events, cultural functions, and assist in the preparation for VIP visits including Vice Presidential and Secretarial visits
• Accompany the Ambassador, the Consul General and Economic Officers on official visits and Press Conferences to offer instant interpretation.
2002-2003 National Marketing Co. Riyadh, KSA
Sales and Marketing Manager
• Promoted the sales of National Marketing and Al-Hayat Building Material Co. products’ through national and international marketing campaigns
• Conducted Flow Guard marketing seminar to endorse the sale of PVC and cPVC pipes in K.S.A.
• Established and implemented organizational restructuring program to increase job performance and efficiency
• Developed job description and periodic management appraisal and evaluation system
• Conducted sales and customer service training courses for the merchants' and contractors' sales representatives
• Organized the launch of North American style marketing campaign in KSA
2000-2001 Staples Business Depot Sarnia, ON
Assistant Sales Manager
• Managed inventory integrity and stock order functions
• Served as human resources manager
• Coached and mentored sale associates
• Assisted the Sales Manager in merchandising the sales floor and display design
1994-2000 Peoples Jewelers Niagara Falls and Sarnia, ON
Sales Manager
• Increased sales from $889, 000 to $1, 3 million in 1998 and maintained 23% sales increase for the every consecutive year
• Established and managed custom styling shows and several other special events such as jewelry appraisal clinics and jewelry exhibitions.
• As Team coach, implemented the perfect execution of the E.D.G.E. model of customer service providing constructive feedback to all sales associates
• Nominated the manager of the month-July 1997- for Increased sales from $850, 000 to $1, 2 million in fiscal 1997
• Implemented and conducted Credit Sales training course for all associates in the region
• Initiated a marketing campaign with the local Casino in Niagara Falls, which contributed to the sales increase in 1997
• B.A., Social Sciences, Economics Major. • Emphasis on micro and macroeconomics policies, research methods and data analysis.
• Successfully completed the Business Administration program specializing in Accounting and Earned Junior Accountant Diploma • 74% GPA.
