Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Qatar Navigation (Milaha)
Total years of experience :24 years, 7 Months
•Managing internal, external and digital communications by developing communications and PR strategy and executing tactical campaigns
•Successfully managed brand development program from strategy building to execution and roll-out for recent re-branding exercise and launch of new brand Milaha
•Defined brand model and engaged pillars and units with model to develop internal brand proposition
•Monitoring public opinion, responding to enquiries from the public and media, arranging interviews with journalists, preparing and distributing news releases and making statements to the media, liaising with the media and organizing publicity campaigns
•Facilitation and coordination of media and investor relations; crisis and issues management, message development and delivery
•Advises on preparation and presentation of product or service information at trade shows, displays and exhibits with execution
•Responsible for CSR strategy, planning and execution
•Develop plans for internal and external events including employee welfare activities in coordination with other departments; liase with event organizers and other stakeholders to ensure proper event planning and execution
•Positioning - highlighting the company’s prestigious portfolio and its advantages over competition
•Evolving and executing long term brand and communication strategies
•Research - analyzing the current market demands, customer perceptions, internal operations and strategies
•Developing and executing strategic marketing and communications plans, both short and long range, to ensure brand awareness and share price performance
•Developed brand platform, visual identity, communication tools and training to instill the new corporate culture
•Monitoring public opinion, responding to enquiries from the public and media, arranging interviews with journalists, crisis and issues management, preparing and distributing news releases and making statements to the media, liaising with the media and organizing publicity campaigns
•Designing and implementing corporate material and guides (corporate profile, subsidiary profiles, annual reports, sales literature, exhibition catalogues, corporate multimedia video, corporate presentations )
•Assisted in managing the re-branding and revamping of the corporate identity of Salam International Investment Limited, the 15 merged member companies, and Salam Group - a newly merged group of companies operating as a regional retail department store.
•Developed CSR program “The Pillars” with a clear objective and yearly calendar of sponsorship and public outreach events
•Responsible for all marketing communication solutions and activities of the horizontally and vertically diversified group of companies. Planned and oversaw the company’s public relations, advertising and promotion activities including print, electronic and direct mail outlets. This includes the corporate entity and 25 subsidiaries in the region operating in diverse fields.
•Directing the development of the corporate website
•Editor of the Internal Newsletter “The Salam Experience”; responsible for the corporate message being clearly communicated to employees
•Planning, directing and coordinating the marketing of the company’s products and services
•Developing and executing marketing plans and programs, both short and long range, to ensure the profit growth and expansion of the company’s products and services
•Controlling and managing the production of yearly budgets and quarterly/monthly forecasts and providing financial support to the finance department. Worked alongside Finance in the management of brand and department budget.
•Designing and implementing corporate material guides (corporate profile, subsidiary profiles, sales literature, product catalogues, company presentations)
•Develop, plan and implement promotional programs to publicize and promote various activities, events and/or items; establish methods for increasing participation in such programs
•Research - pre-restructuring phase research, focus groups, pre-merger research. Analyzing and monitoring financial, technological, and demographic factors so that market opportunities may be capitalized on and effects of competitive activity are minimized.
•Organizing showroom openings, product launches, special promotions, displays, events and exhibition participation
•Completed full diagnostics study to improve internal communication within Salam Holdings’ various units and operations.
•Oversaw the execution of the group's marketing communication solutions including promotional marketing, direct marketing and sales literature, public relations programs, media relations programs, client relations programs, research, public outreach and sponsorship programs, exhibitions and conferences, and advertising.
•In addition to my responsibilities as Marketing Manager, I was given the task of Acting IT Manager from February 2001 to organize and restructure the IT Department where I supervised computer network (LAN) of 20 workstations ranging from troubleshooting software applications to the installation of time and attendance PC.
•Part of QBEL’s Pre-Opening Team with the responsibility of setting up pricing strategy, factory layout, computer and telecommunications network, and personnel recruitment.
Managed QBEL’s Marketing operations, identified new business opportunities and developed marketing and sales strategies accordingly.
Responsible for Qatar Headoffice, Dubai Branch and marketing requirements of QBEL’s authorized distributors in different territories.
Responsible for arranging and implementing QBEL’s Launch in the Qatari market using an extensive advertising campaign that included outdoor advertising, press advertising, a company seminar, and press releases.
Formulated public relations and promotions campaigns to increase awareness.
Participated in different GCC and Pan-Arab Exhibitions targeting the Building and Construction Industry.
Conducted marketing research studies in exploiting innovative opportunities and developing QBEL’s products and services to the market.
Finalized all marketing materials needed such as flyers, company profiles, promotional items, stationery, technical manuals, among other items.
Conducted research on legal and marketing issues with regards to establishing exclusive distributors in various parts of the GCC.
Assisted in drafting different Exclusive Distributor Agreements and participated in the negotiations that took place.
In charge of international sales to targeted territories, Dubai Branch, and the Belgium Representative Office.
Monitoring all export/import operations ranging from complete transportation arrangements; governmental documentation; insurance claims; customs and clearing.
•Responsible for Housing Retention Study
Increased retention rate for on-campus upper level students by significant percentages based on research conducted and improved services as required.
Assisted in formulating enrollment strategies and retention/promotion strategies which involved recruitment tasks.
•Handled benchmark and enrollment presentations
Responsible in presenting benchmark and enrollment data to the Board of Directors, senior Vice Provosts, and Executives from researching the data to presenting it appropriately.
•Trained and supervised other personnel (including supervisors) with software applications.
Supervised personnel with all research conducted including: survey collection, data entry, and data analysis.
Trained personnel and supervisors with software applications such as Microsoft Outlook and Epi Info, among other software.
•Assisted in formulating marketing research strategies and priorities from research studies conducted.
•Helped with completion of the Annual Strategic Plan and created the Disaster Plan.
•Gathering market research data for enrollment surveys including: data collection, coding, entry, and analysis.
•Trained and supervised other graduate assistants.
•Received dual specialization MBA with distinction and honors; cumulative GPA of 3.87. •Received academic honors and became a member of the National Business Honor Society (Beta Gamma Sigma) for being among the top 20% US MBA graduates in the Class of 1998. •Vice President of Operations of the Technology Management Association; promoted to Executive Vice President in 1998. •Member of the Graduate Student Business Association at UM.
•Provost’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List for a GPA of 3.8. •Graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree at the age of 19. •Attended Lenoir Rhyne College in 1994 in Hickory, North Carolina where I was the President of the International Club at LRC and I received the Dean's List for a GPA of 3.73. •Attended Georgia Southern University from September 1992 until December 1993 in Statesboro, Georgia where I was a founder, member, and Assistant Treasurer of the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority.
