Communications Specialist

Job Overview

The role of Communications Specialist at KAUST is pivotal in executing the university's communication strategies. This position acts at the crossroads of relationship building, strategic communication planning, and practical implementation, designed to enhance engagement with key internal and external stakeholders. Collaborating closely with selected business units, the specialist crafts, gains approval for, and deploys comprehensive marketing communication plans aligned with KAUST's goals and brand identity.

Key Responsibilities

• Work in partnership with business units and stakeholders to understand and support their communication strategy needs.
• Assist in the creation of tactical marketing communication plans that reflect university strategic objectives, brand positioning, and target audience requirements.
• Liaise with GBC teams, digital departments, and creative partners for the rollout of campaigns and initiatives.
• Coordinate communication efforts and maintain alignment between stakeholders and GBC specialists to ensure smooth implementation of projects.
• Leverage stakeholder insights and market research to optimize and refine communication strategies.
• Monitor and assess the effectiveness of communication campaigns, offering recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Keep abreast of the latest trends and best practices in marketing communication to foster innovation.
• Apply a consultative communication style to engage university divisions and partners effectively.
• Develop comprehensive work plans and manage stakeholder expectations.
• Manage regular communication activities including reporting, monitoring, and escalating issues where necessary.
• Coordinate content creation and delivery across multiple communication channels.
• Support the development of clear, audience-centric messaging consistent with KAUST’s branding and communication goals.
• Ensure consistent messaging across all platforms through cross-functional collaboration.
• Utilize varied communication channels such as digital platforms, print media, social networks, and events to effectively reach intended audiences.
• Guarantee all communications comply with university brand standards and reflect its values and tone.
• Support social media and website content management through embedded teams as required.
• Contribute to the oversight of flagship university events, campaigns, and activations, including planning, execution, and evaluation.
• Track and document communication activities and deliverables systematically.
• Assist with project management tools like Asana and Zendesk for tracking progress and tasks.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Marketing and Communications Manager.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Proven ability to contribute to integrated multi-channel campaigns.
• Strong skills in stakeholder relationship management and communication strategy coordination.
• Analytical capabilities to interpret metrics and enhance communication efforts.
• Proficient writing skills to produce high-quality, targeted communications.
• Effective project management skills related to communications, marketing materials, and content production.
• Excellent verbal communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience leveraging research and data to shape communication strategies.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or journalism.
• Project management certification is advantageous.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in marketing or communications roles.
• Familiarity with project management and ticketing tools, preferably Asana and Zendesk.
• Preferred experience in customer-facing or stakeholder engagement roles.
• Higher education sector experience is a plus.
• Working within a bilingual organizational context is beneficial.