Manager - Marketing and Communications

Position overview

The Manager - Marketing and  Communications UAE leads the development and delivery of marketing, communications and stakeholder engagement activities for ACER in the Middle East and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

The role is responsible for strengthening ACER’s brand presence, supporting business development and building engagement with schools, ministries and education partners across the region.

A key focus of the role is global marketing leadership for ACER’s International Benchmark Tests (IBT), developing global positioning and campaign frameworks that can be adapted by ACER offices internationally, including India, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.

Working closely with ACER’s global marketing and communications teams, the role ensures ACER’s products, research and services are clearly positioned in international markets and supported by high-quality marketing campaigns, communications and events.

Position context

ACER UAE is part of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving learning across the lifespan through research, assessment and evidence-informed practice.

For more than two decades, ACER Middle East has worked with schools, ministries and education leaders across the United Arab Emirates and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council region – including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain – to strengthen assessment practice and build a shared professional language around student progress.

As education systems across the Gulf continue to prioritise quality, foundational skills and equitable outcomes, ACER supports educators with research-based assessment tools, professional learning and evidence-informed insights that help teachers understand student learning and tailor teaching to individual needs.

Today, the UAE office plays a significant role as ACER’s international assessment and product delivery hub, supporting the implementation and growth of global products such as IBT while also contributing to regional partnerships and education initiatives.

Job responsibilities

1. Communications

• Lead the development and implementation of the ACER UAE communications strategy aligned with ACER’s global communications framework.
• Develop compelling narratives and content that promote ACER’s work across the GCC region and internationally.
• Manage social media, digital communications and content calendars for regional engagement.
• Oversee the development of newsletters, reports, brochures, case studies and digital publications.
• Identify and develop stories showcasing the impact of ACER products and services in schools and education systems.
• Coordinate internal communications for the UAE office and contribute to global ACER communications initiatives.
• Manage content for the ACER UAE website and contribute to other ACER web platforms where relevant.

2. Product Marketing (Global and Regional)

• Lead the global marketing strategy for ACER’s International Benchmark Tests (IBT).
• Develop global positioning, messaging and campaign frameworks for IBT that can be adapted by ACER offices internationally.
• Support regional marketing and sales efforts across the GCC, working closely with ACER UAE leadership and product teams.
• Develop product marketing materials including product guides, campaigns, case studies and customer engagement content.
• Work with international offices (India, Malaysia and others) to ensure consistent IBT positioning across markets.
• Identify opportunities to expand IBT adoption across international schools and education systems.
• Support ACER product launches and marketing initiatives across international markets.

3. Conferences and Events

• Lead the planning and delivery of ACER UAE conferences, forums and professional learning events.
• Coordinate ACER participation in regional education conferences and exhibitions.
• Work with global marketing teams to showcase ACER research, tools and expertise at international events.
• Develop conference marketing campaigns and promotional materials.
• Support ACER staff presenting at conferences through coordinated communications and brand presence.

4. Public Relations and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain relationships with education media, sector organisations and education leaders across the region.
• Identify opportunities to position ACER experts as thought leaders in assessment and educational improvement.
• Prepare media releases, opinion pieces and articles promoting ACER’s work.
• Support senior leaders with speeches, presentations and stakeholder engagement materials.
• Coordinate media engagement and public relations activities in collaboration with ACER’s global communications team.
• Monitor regional media and sector developments relevant to ACER.

5. Other Responsibilities

• Support the General Manager, ACER UAE with strategic communications and marketing advice.
• Contribute to global ACER marketing and communications initiatives.
• Manage marketing budgets and track campaign performance.
• Collaborate with ACER’s global Marketing, Communications and Media team on brand and campaign alignment.
• Assist with marketing and communications for regional research or professional learning projects where relevant.
• Work collaboratively with ACER teams across international offices to support shared marketing objectives.

Organisational accountabilities

All ACER staff are expected to:

• Work towards achieving organisational objectives while demonstrating ACER’s leadership behaviours.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive workplace culture.
• Comply with ACER policies and procedures.
• Support ACER’s mission to improve learning through research, assessment and knowledge sharing.

Skills, knowledge and experience

Essential

• Extensive experience in marketing, communications or stakeholder engagement.
• Experience marketing complex products or services in the Middle East and internationally.
• Strong capability in product marketing and campaign development.
• Experience working with international stakeholders and cross-cultural teams.
• Strong writing and storytelling ability.
• Demonstrated experience in digital marketing and content strategy.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders across regions.

Desirable

• Experience in education, assessment or research organisations.
• Experience working in international markets or the Middle East region.

Education