Job Description

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication and business strategy firm with offices in major cities throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. APCO combines a global perspective with local expertise to help clients around the world manage challenges, opportunities, perceptions and reputations. APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and many of the top companies on the Fortune 500. The firm is a majority women-owned business. The Project Manager is involved with day-to-day support of client projects by drafting materials (i.e., summary reports, press releases, credentials, proposals) and by conducting and analyzing research on a variety of client related issues, or media monitoring. The Project Manager is responsible for several administrative duties including coordinating client meetings and events and working on client deliverables under the supervisor of a Consultant or assigned account manager. The Project Manager will interface with all levels of staff and may have contact with staff members of the client's organization regarding project issue. In addition the project manager will support in Content Writing Development. Primary Duties and Responsibilities PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Draft complete initial proposals for client work Participate actively in internal and client meetings, offering knowledgeable observations and suggestions Contribute to and prepare the "basic" reports required in the specific functional capacity (e.g., perception audits, market studies, provincial reports, summary reports, etc.) with minimal guidance and review by managers Proactively identify external meetings and trainings to attend to build sector knowledge and contacts Demonstrate awareness of utilization and expectations, coordinating with project leaders to manage them Keep manager informed of competing expectations/assignments Report time and expenses in timely manner CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT: Develop understanding of client issues through research and monitoring of relevant issues Demonstrate a strong client service ethic Effectively contribute to client account Respond to requests from team in timely manner Communicates proactively with project manager and team on status of deliverables/assignments BUSINESS MANAGEMENT: Understands the business model and how the Company operates Show understanding of the importance of billing time and implication of over-servicing Actively contributes ideas and suggestions to maximize business opportunities Communicates ways to improve the business Accurately reports time and expenses. Notifies management of any discrepancies Understands key business practices and how business is conducted and grown at APCO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Actively supports new business process by preparing pitches and proposals, conducting research, compiling bios and preparing decks Actively participates and networks in professional organizations Demonstrates sound understanding of key team/dept/office service offerings, and key clients of team/dept/office Identifies areas where contributions to new business can be made and shares with team leader/line manager Works positively with colleagues and readily shares information with others to support the business PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Demonstrates commitment to their own professional growth and development Actively acquires knowledge about industry and practices Open to learning new things, responds positively to feedback from others Identifies and follows industry or sector of interest Seeks feedback on performance; identifies internal or external mentor Takes initiative to participate in training when available Readily adapts and shows enthusiasm for learning new systems Attends external events and networks CONTENT WRITING DEVELOPMENT: Assist various client teams in writing news releases, media invites, Q&As, speeches, features, bios and other communication material such as corporate/business presentations in PPT or other such software Review, edit and rewrite all written material (to include traditional, digital, and social media content) as required by team members Understand the requirements of various teams and convey the client's key messages adequately and appropriately through effective use of language Support teams by providing error-free media-worthy material Consult and guide client-handling teams on matters related to media requests Interact with team members and support them in building accurate communication measures Efficiently manage deadline-oriented workflow of releases, invites and requests from various team members on a daily basis Contribute to the development of new concepts, techniques or ideas at brainstorming sessions Support the project manager in ensuring that resources are in place to cover delivery of all written deliverables ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES: Follow up with the project associate on proper coordination of the below: Update projects details on ASANA Software Organize bi-weekly meeting between clients and mid to senior level employees at APCO Take minutes of meetings and send accurate and detailed report to the concerned parties Assist in drafting social media trays Monitor schedule of seven different departments and ensure that deadlines are met Complete all necessary administrative tasks, such as research and email Maintain email/telephone contacts with clients as needed, without requiring a supervisor to intervene on routine matters Ad hoc Assignment/reports: As per the Direct Manager's requests Competencies Excellent communication skills written and verbally Ability to multitask and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment Excellent organization and time management skills, strong attention to detail Knowledge development skills Initiative Teamwork skills Ability to be flexible, resilient, solution oriented and creative Service-orientated attitude, proactive thinker, information seeker Requirements Bachelor's Degree in business administration, public administration or Equivalent 2 years of experience as a project manager in an agency, or in a Tech or governmental industry Prior Content writing experience PMP Certificate is a plus Knowledge in mail chimp is a plus Fluency in English, Arabic is a plus Work Conditions The physical abilities needed to perform the duties of this position, in addition to the office climate: Office environment is general office setting Some travel may be required Must reside in Abu Dhabi or be willing to relocate Willing to work additional or irregular hours as needed and allowed by local regulations About APCO in the Middle East and North Africa Home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world, the Middle East and North Africa region has a pivotal role to play in driving global conversations - from environmental policies to religion and pop culture. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are clear leaders in this equation, although the wave of innovation continues to transcend borders. APCO launched its regional operations in 2006 in Dubai. Growing from a team of less than 10 consultants, APCO today has over 200 people from 26 countries working in teams across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Manama and Kuwait and our projects take us to countries across the region and the Levant. APCO was awarded Best Agency in the Middle East by PRWeek in 2019 and Best Agency to Work for: EMEA Network by PRovoke Media in 2017 and 2019. With a portfolio of over 100 clients, APCO's MENA offices deliver public relations and digital communication support across health, food, consumer & retail, finance, technology, real estate & hospitality, non-profit and public affairs practices. The region also offers specialized services, created for the Middle East, such as our Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model and our Compass and License to Operate offerings. In addition, APCO's global AI Comms Lab, a first-of-its-kind innovation center which utilizes artificial intelligence to build and protect the reputations of major global brands, governments and organizations is driven from the Dubai office. From helping governments connect with the private sector and civil society, to supporting the Pope's historic visit to the region and launching iconic brands and destinations, we understand the nuances of the MENA region and pride ourselves on making an impact.