Role Profile:

The Manager for Social Impact, Public Affairs, and Public Relations at Starbucks Middle East will play a crucial role in enhancing the company's brand presence and reputation through strategic partnerships and impactful community engagement. This position will serve as a bridge between Starbucks and diverse stakeholders including local governments, NGOs, influencers, and private organizations. The successful candidate will be passionate about social impact and possess a proven track record of developing and managing large-scale initiatives that resonate with the community and elevate the Starbucks brand. The Manager will lead efforts to craft authentic brand narratives while ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, driving business growth, and fostering collaborative relationships.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Stakeholder Relationship Management: Build and sustain strong relationships with stakeholders across 10 markets and various sectors to expand brand reach and influence.
• Strategic Partnership Development: Identify and forge strategic partnerships that enhance Starbucks' reputation and social value, ensuring mutual benefits for all parties involved.
• Partnership Negotiation: Negotiate and structure commercial partnerships that align with business goals and generate shared value.
• Co-Marketing Initiatives: Lead the development and execution of co-marketing programs that promote business growth, bolster brand equity, and elevate customer loyalty.
• Communication Strategy Development: Create and implement communication strategies to enhance brand visibility and audience engagement.
• Campaign & Content Creation: Leverage partnerships to co-create authentic brand stories and impactful campaigns, driving brand affinity and community engagement.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with internal and external teams to activate partner and ensure initiatives align with corporate objectives and strategies.
• Metrics & Reporting: Establish success metrics and generating comprehensive reports for senior stakeholders to demonstrate impact and effectiveness.
• Crisis Management: Familiarity with managing public relations crises and mitigating reputational risks, ensuring timely and effective communication strategies are in place.

Role Qualifications: 

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in social impact/corporate social responsibility, public affairs, public relations, or a related field, preferably within the retail or food and beverage industry.
• Partnership Development: Demonstrated experience in identifying, negotiating, and managing strategic partnerships that drive brand equity and social impact initiatives.
• Project Leadership: Proven track record of leading large-scale, high-impact projects or campaigns that deliver measurable results and enhance brand reputation.
• Event Management: Previous experience in planning and executing impactful events that promote brand values and engage diverse audiences.
• Strategic Communication: Strong background in developing and implementing communication strategies that increase brand awareness and foster audience engagement.
• Metrics and Analytics: Experience in setting KPIs, tracking performance metrics, and analyzing data to evaluate the success of partnerships and initiatives, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with various stakeholders, including NGOs, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Cultural Competence: Experience working in diverse cultural settings, particularly in the Middle East, with an understanding of regional dynamics and community needs.

Skills Required to be Successful in the role:

• Relationship Management: Exceptional relationship-building skills with a demonstrable ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strategic Thinking: Strong strategic and analytical thinking abilities, capable of identifying and leveraging opportunities for growth and impact.
• Creative Problem Solving: Proven ability to craft innovative solutions and compelling narratives that resonate with audiences and drive engagement.
• Project Management: - Excellent project management capabilities with a history of leading high-impact projects from conception to execution.
  Communication Proficiency: Outstanding Arabic verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to create engaging content across various platforms.
• Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills to structure mutually beneficial partnerships.
  Analytical Acumen: Proficient in tracking, measuring, and analyzing metrics to determine effectiveness and inform strategic decisions.
• Cross-Cultural Competence: Ability to navigate diverse cultural contexts across multiple markets, ensuring inclusivity and relevance in all initiatives.
• Collaborative Leadership: A collaborative leader who inspires and motivates teams, fostering a positive work environment focused on achieving exceptional outcomes.