Account Director (Media/PR) Saudisation📣 Job Ad

Account Director (Media/PR) - Saudi National

Our client, an international consultancy, is seeking an experienced Account Director to lead strategic communications and media relations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time, senior position requires a Saudi National due to Saudisation requirements. The role involves overseeing a portfolio of high-profile projects and initiatives, developing impactful earned media strategies, and cultivating strong relationships across the Saudi media landscape.

Strategic Media Relations

The Account Director will lead all media relations activities, ensuring effective engagement and visibility for client projects. Key responsibilities include:

• Developing proactive earned media strategies that deliver measurable impact.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with journalists, editors, producers, broadcasters, publishers, and digital media across Saudi Arabia.
• Identifying newsworthy opportunities and developing compelling story angles.
• Drafting and overseeing press releases, media alerts, opinion articles, briefing documents, speeches, and interview materials.
• Leading media outreach, interview coordination, and press office activity.
• Managing media attendance at launches, exhibitions, cultural events, and press conferences.
• Preparing spokespersons and senior stakeholders for interviews through messaging development and media training.
• Monitoring media coverage and providing strategic advice on reputation management and emerging issues.

Strategic Communications Leadership

This role provides senior strategic communications counsel to key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and strengthening reputation. Responsibilities include:

• Providing senior strategic communications advice that supports organisational objectives and strengthens reputation.
• Developing integrated communications strategies with earned media at the core.
• Presenting recommendations confidently to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Ensuring consistently high standards of account leadership and project delivery.

Business Development and Growth

The Account Director will play a crucial part in supporting the organisation's continued growth in Saudi Arabia. Key responsibilities include:

• Identifying and pursuing new business opportunities across Saudi Arabia.
• Building relationships with government entities, cultural organisations, strategic partners, and industry stakeholders.
• Leading proposal development, pitch presentations, and business development meetings.
• Supporting the organisation's profile through networking, industry engagement, and thought leadership.
• Representing the organisation at key sector events and media gatherings.

Candidate Profile and Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and attributes:

• Saudi National due to Saudisation requirements.
• Significant experience within journalism, media relations, public relations, or corporate communications.
• Extensive network of established relationships with journalists, editors, broadcasters, and media organisations across Saudi Arabia.
• Strong understanding of the Saudi media landscape, editorial environment, and news agenda.
• Proven success securing high-profile media coverage and managing complex communications campaigns.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across traditional and digital media.
• Outstanding stakeholder relationship management skills with experience advising senior decision-makers.
• Proven experience leading complex accounts and managing multiple priorities.
• Strong business development skills with a track record of identifying opportunities and winning new business.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams within an agency or in-house communications environment.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate business objectives into impactful communications programmes.
• Knowledge of, or genuine interest in, Saudi Arabia's arts, culture, heritage, and creative sectors.
• Fluent Arabic and English with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commercially aware, proactive, and confident in a fast-paced consultancy environment.

About the Client

Our client is an international consultancy dedicated to helping organisations create value and deliver lasting impact through culture. They operate at the intersection of Cultural & Creative Industries, Environment & Social Impact, Tourism & Place-making, Government Transformation, Education & Healthcare, and the ethical adoption of AI. With teams across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia, they partner with governments, cultural institutions, destinations, and private sector organisations to develop strategies, strengthen engagement, build partnerships, and deliver high-impact initiatives.