Professional Experience
2022 - present
University of Oxford
Strategic Communications Manager
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Devising and executing communication strategies for major University initiatives.
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Leading on external promotion of Oxford University’s strategic priorities and significant announcements.
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Advising senior members of the University at moments of reputational risk and providing media training.
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Handling reactive media inquiries and producing effective statements to manage sensitive media issues.
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Giving detailed communications support to the Vice-Chancellor, including media interviews, preparation of speeches and media arrangement for high-profile events and visits.
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Creating and maintaining partnerships and relations with key influential national media outlets.
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Organising
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Managing alliances with key stakeholders and departments across the University.
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Deputising for the Head of University Communications in his absence.
August - October 2021
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH)
Senior Media Lead (Interim)
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Leading on proactive and reactive media relations and external communications.
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Developing and delivering media and communication plans and campaigns for a wide range of activities and initiatives, such as the climate change and child health initiative.
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Creating and maintaining partnerships and relations with key influential national media outlets.
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Supporting senior RCPCH members and officers in communicating core messages to target audience.
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Working with the public policy team on effectively communicating the College’s vision and key messages.
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Managing alliances with other organisations to leverage the College’s voice on impactful issues.
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Handling reputation management and crisis communications.
2017 - 2021
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Senior Media and Communications Specialist
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Leading on internal and external communications for KAUST’s research and innovation activities and industry partnerships.
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Managing partnerships and relations with highly influential media outlets and journalists.
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Designing and implementing internal and external communications plans and strategies.
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Working with external and internal stakeholders to grow KAUST’s brand awareness.
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Collaborating with internal teams, external partners and PR agencies to develop and further regional, national and international integrated communications campaigns with a 360 approach, tailoring the messaging using the right channels to reach the target audience.
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Supporting internal communications in creating and publishing the monthly digital newsletter.
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Providing advice and training on media opportunities to KAUST leadership, faculty and entrepreneurs.
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Commissioning, writing, editing and producing of multi-channel news stories and features.
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Acting as the editor-in-chief of KAUST’s bilingual magazine The Beacon in its print form as well as the Digital Beacon monthly newsletter providing an insight of the university’s achievement and discoveries for internal and external specialised audiences.
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Holding the responsibility of project-oriented matrix management of the workload of several communications specialists working on digital, social media, public relations and media.
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Development of social media and digital strategy.
BBC World
Contributing Opinion Writer
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Writing commentaries and opinion pieces providing an insider’s analysis and perception of social and women issues in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. This includes writing about lifting the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia and abolishing guardianship on women’s travel, and an insight from a rapidly changing society from the perspective of a Saudi female journalist.
2016 - 2017
Arab News
Senior Journalist
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Writing news stories and features on a variety of subjects, with focus on current affairs, finance and economy, energy, social and women issues and travel in house and on overseas assignments.
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Conducting exclusive interviews with top officials and personalities.
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Leading on special reports and supplements.
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Mentoring and training entry-level reporters.
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Promoting content on social media channels.
2011 - 2016
BBC Arabic Network
Broadcast Journalist
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Producing and directing live radio current affairs programmes, World at One and Newshour, in addition to hourly news bulletins.
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Creating radio news packages and feature reports, which entail researching, interviewing, writing, voicing and editing to the final version.
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Producing and voicing news packages for BBC Arabic television.
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Managing interns.
2004- 2011
Arab News
Reporter and Photojournalist
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Covering a range of areas, including hard news, interviews and profiles, social issues, education, health, sports, business and economy, lifestyle, travel, art and culture.
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Collaborating on producing seasonal and annual supplements, which involved planning, structuring and writing.
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Making history in being one of the first two Saudi female journalists to ever cover a sports championship while covering the 15th Asian Games in 2006.
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Capturing pictures to complement articles.
Education
2019 - 2020
Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Oxford Digital Marketing: Disruptive Strategy Programme.
2008 - 2009
City, University of London
MA in International Journalism.
2000 to 2004
King Abdulaziz University
BA in English Literature and Linguistics.