Commercial Bank of Dubai
External Comms and PR Lead
- Permanent
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Experience 5 - 10 yrs
Job overview
Date posted
17/09/2025
Location
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Salary
AED 20,000 - 30,000 per month
Compensation
Comprehensive package
Experience
5 - 10 yrs
Seniority
Senior & Lead
Qualification
Bachelors degree
Expiration date
01/11/2025
Job description
The External Communications Lead will drive CBD’s external communication strategy to enhance the bank’s visibility, strengthen its brand reputation, and position CBD leadership as industry thought leaders. The role will manage all aspects of public relations, external communications, and corporate profiling, working closely with internal stakeholders, external agencies, and media partners to deliver an impactful, consistent communications program.
Required skills
external communications
public relations
corporate communications
media relations
press release drafting
thought leadership
corporate profiling
communications planning
editorial calendar management
PR agency management
event communications
awards management
stakeholder management
strategic communications
Key responsibilities
- Develop and implement an annual external communications strategy aligned with CBD’s brand and business priorities.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key media outlets, journalists, and industry influencers.
- Draft, review, and manage the issuance of press releases, media statements, and other external announcements.
- Monitor media coverage and generate regular reports highlighting key wins, PR value, and areas of opportunity.
- Identify and manage speaking opportunities for CBD’s leadership team at industry conferences, events, and forums.
- Develop leadership profiling strategies, including bylined articles, interviews, opinion pieces, and thought leadership initiatives.
- Collaborate with business units to craft compelling narratives that showcase CBD’s innovation, customer focus, and leadership in banking.
- Maintain a forward-looking editorial calendar to ensure proactive, consistent external communication throughout the year.
- Collaborate with the PR agency on execution of communication initiatives and ensure alignment to strategy and quality standards.
- Lead the development of an integrated communications framework covering proactive media outreach, awards programs, speaking engagements, and content development.
- Work with the Events Team to support external corporate and client events by managing event-related PR, content, and media coverage.
- Ensure external events deliver cohesive messaging and support brand visibility objectives.
- Engage with key internal stakeholders across business lines to align on key messaging, product positioning, and corporate announcements.
- Act as the communications point-of-contact to ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality across all external communications.
- Identify, manage, and coordinate awards submissions across key industry awards that enhance CBD’s corporate credibility and leadership positioning.
Experience & skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
- Minimum 8–10 years of relevant experience in external communications, public relations, or corporate communications, preferably within financial services or a highly regulated industry.
- Strong network of media contacts in the UAE and wider GCC region is a plus.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives.
- Proven experience managing PR agencies and external partners to deliver results.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with strong attention to detail.
- Strategic thinker with a hands-on execution mindset.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and drive outcomes independently.