Head of Marketing & Communications (Financial Services)

About the OpportunityA well-established and growing organisation in Abu Dhabi is looking to appoint a Head of Marketing & Communications to establish and lead its marketing and communications function.This is a newly created leadership position offering the opportunity to shape the organisation's brand, communications strategy and market presence from the ground up. The successful candidate will initially be highly hands-on, taking ownership of a broad marketing and communications remit while working with specialist external partners. As the organisation continues to grow, they will have the opportunity to build and lead an in-house team.Working closely with the senior leadership team, the Head of Marketing & Communications will play a key role in strengthening corporate positioning, enhancing stakeholder engagement, supporting business development and establishing a consistent and compelling presence across all channels.Key ResponsibilitiesMarketing Strategy & Function DevelopmentDevelop and implement an integrated marketing and communications strategy aligned with organisational objectivesEstablish the structure, processes, governance and operating model for the functionDevelop annual marketing plans, budgets and performance frameworksEstablish brand guidelines, communications standards and marketing processesIdentify emerging market trends and opportunities to strengthen the organisation's positioningBrand, Corporate Communications & DigitalOwn and develop the corporate brand across the organisation and its various business activitiesEnsure consistency of messaging, tone of voice and visual identity across all channelsLead the development and ongoing management of the corporate websiteDevelop digital marketing and search strategies to improve visibility and engagementManage the organisation's social media presence, particularly LinkedInDevelop executive communications, speeches, articles, statements and thought leadership contentSupport senior executives with personal branding and external communicationsIdentify opportunities for speaking engagements, partnerships, sponsorships and thought leadershipManage external PR, communications, creative and digital agencies as required.Content & Business DevelopmentDevelop high-quality corporate and commercial marketing materials, including presentations, brochures, proposals and credentialsCreate compelling thought leadership and insight-led contentDevelop campaigns that support business development, client engagement and brand awarenessPartner with commercial and business teams to develop tailored marketing and client-facing materialsEnsure all communications are aligned with corporate positioning and relevant governance requirementsEvents & Stakeholder EngagementDevelop and manage an annual corporate events and engagement programmeLead the planning and delivery of senior-level events, conferences, roundtables, client engagements and corporate initiativesManage event budgets, timelines, suppliers and external partnersWork closely with senior stakeholders to maximise the impact of key events and engagement opportunitiesEvaluate event performance and identify opportunities to improve future activity.Agency, Supplier & Budget ManagementManage relationships with external marketing, PR, creative, digital and events agenciesEstablish clear briefs, scopes of work and performance expectationsOversee external suppliers including designers, developers, photographers and videographersManage marketing expenditure and ensure activity delivers strong value and measurable outcomesSupport procurement processes relating to marketing and communications.Performance & AnalyticsEstablish meaningful KPIs across marketing and communications activityMonitor digital performance, social media engagement, campaign effectiveness and event outcomesProduce regular performance reports for senior leadershipUse data and insight to continually improve marketing effectivenessLeadershipBuild and develop a high-performing Marketing & Communications functionRecruit, manage and develop the team as the organisation's requirements evolveEstablish a culture of accountability, creativity, collaboration and continuous improvementPosition Marketing & Communications as a strategic partner to the wider organisationAbout YouThe ideal candidate will be an experienced marketing and communications leader who combines strategic thinking with strong hands-on execution.You will have15+ years' experience across Marketing & Communications, with significant leadership experienceA proven track record of building, developing or transforming a marketing and communications functionStrong experience across corporate communications, brand, digital marketing, content, events and stakeholder engagementExcellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality executive-level contentExperience managing agencies, suppliers, budgets and multiple concurrent projectsStrong stakeholder management skills and the confidence to work closely with senior executivesA commercially minded approach, with an understanding of how marketing and communications can support organisational growth and business developmentThe ability to operate comfortably in a stand-alone, hands-on role while simultaneously developing the longer-term strategy and team structureDesirable BackgroundExperience within one or more of the following sectors would be advantageous:Financial ServicesBankingInvestment ManagementWealth ManagementProfessional ServicesConsultingGovernment or Government-related organisations