Job Purpose
- The VIP & Protocol Unit Head serves as a liaison with protocol officials in the government of the UAE, senior stakeholders, international government officials, and VIP visitors and manages questions of protocol, precedence, and UAE local customs and practices.
- The VIP & Protocol Unit Head will closely collaborate with the Communications, Events, Partnerships & Development teams and the Museum Director’s office to provide advice and assistance with all external protocol issues, and will help to create and deliver consistent, quality, official communications, and VIP visitor experiences.
Responsibilities
- Lead on the development of the VIP & Protocol strategy, policy and procedures.
- Lead on establishing and nurturing VIP relationships, and developing VIP guest lists in preparation for opening ceremonies, exhibitions, PR and media events.
- Provide support for planning the opening events for VIP guests ensuring all necessary protocol and hospitality requests are requested and adhered to.
- Develop protocol guidance and liaison with the UAE government officials, other diplomatic missions and the local UAE community, assisting on questions of protocol, precedence, local customs and practices.
- Develop and maintain local contact lists and guest lists, orders of precedence within and across groups, seating arrangements, and other protocol-related guidance for officials served.
- Advise and coach Museum executives, speakers, and staff on the protocol aspects of all types of official and social situations, contacts, and communications;
- Maintain contact with the UAE foreign office protocol division, through which information on specific points of protocol and custom are obtained and protocol problems are resolved.
- Act as VIP events specialist and prepares, develop and manage the VIP invitations, events (including strategy, format, run orders, tours and guests list) and support other departments when required for special events.
- Manage VIP openings of exhibitions, programmes and public events with the support of relevant teams.
- Acts as the spokesperson for the museum for any PR or media needs.
- Define & implement the PR strategy for special programmes, events and gifts with the support of the Marketing & Communications Department.
- Develop celebrities’ engagement strategy to increase Museum’s international exposure (promotion on social media, press, etc.) with the support of the Marketing & Communications teams
- Support the design and development of special projects with external entities.
Required Education / Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in international affairs, business administration, public relations, marketing, communications or related disciplines
Required Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in public relations, protocol, international affairs, government relations or related field.
- Experience of a role where stakeholder management formed a significant proportion of the duties.
- Proven ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, and confidently with people at all levels, particularly VIP guests, including the Royal family and visiting officials.
- Proven ability to apply diplomacy in order to develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders inside and outside the
- Museum in order to deliver VIP events.
- Ability to manage interpersonal relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Knowledge of excellent customer service and visitor needs management.
- Fluency in Arabic and English is essential.
