Account Director - Government & Public Affairs

This pivotal role sits within our Government, Public Affairs & Sustainability communications team, supporting public sector institutions, policymakers, regulators, and government-adjacent organisations across the region.

The role focuses on shaping narratives around public policy, sustainability, ESG, and responsible innovation, helping clients communicate complex priorities that directly impact citizens, industry, and the broader economy.

As an Account Director, you will play a central role in managing high-profile, often sensitive communications programmes at the intersection of government, sustainability, regulation, and emerging technologies.

You will join a team recognised for its strong public-sector and institutional communications legacy, bringing strategic counsel, sound judgement, and deep stakeholder insight to complex challenges.

What you'll do

• Be part of the development and execution of integrated government, public affairs, and sustainability communications strategies for ministries, regulators, state-owned entities, and public-sector partners.
• Advise clients on policy positioning, sustainability narratives, ESG priorities, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment with national visions, climate commitments, and regulatory frameworks.
• Support communications around sustainability policy, climate action, energy transition, digital transformation, and social impact initiatives.
• Drive proactive and reactive media relations across mainstream, policy, sustainability, and trade media, managing sensitive issues and high-profile announcements.
• Develop and implement crisis, issues, and reputation management strategies, particularly for sustainability- and policy-related risks.
• Build and maintain trusted advisory relationships with senior clients, acting as a strategic partner on long-term reputation and public trust.
• Oversee day-to-day account management, ensuring high-quality execution, strong governance, and excellent client service.
• Mentor and develop junior team members, strengthening public affairs and sustainability expertise across the team.

Experience that contributes to success

• Track record in public relations, public affairs, sustainability or ESG communications, ideally within an agency or advisory environment.
• Proven experience working with government entities, regulators, policy bodies, or public-sector organisations.
• Strong understanding of public policy, sustainability frameworks, ESG principles, and regulatory environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in media relations, issues management, content strategy, and stakeholder communications.
• Experience advising on or communicating sustainability initiatives, climate policy, energy transition, or social impact programmes
• Proficiency in English, with Arabic highly desirable.
• Interest in how emerging technologies and data support sustainability, transparency, and public-sector transformation.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, judgement, and relationship management skills.

Desired Candidate Profile

Track record in public relations, public affairs, sustainability or ESG communications, ideally within an agency or advisory environment. Proven experience working with government entities, regulators, policy bodies, or public-sector organisations. Strong understanding of public policy, sustainability frameworks, ESG principles, and regulatory environments. Demonstrated expertise in media relations, issues management, content strategy, and stakeholder communications. Experience advising on or communicating sustainability initiatives, climate policy, energy transition, or social impact programmes Proficiency in English, with Arabic highly desirable. Interest in how emerging technologies and data support sustainability, transparency, and public-sector transformation. Exceptional strategic thinking, judgement, and relationship management skills.