The study drew on in-depth qualitative interviews, triad discussions with senior strategic-communication practitioners in Saudi publicly listed companies, and a survey of 215 respondents. Using an informed constructivist grounded theory approach, the research prioritised real-world practice, contextual sensitivity, and practical relevance. The result is a Saudi-specific, empirically grounded understanding of what strategic-communication leadership looks like in practice, not just in theory.
Participants in this workshop will gain practical insight into how leadership in strategic communication is enacted through collaboration rather than hierarchy, and how it emerges through the dynamic interaction between two key identities: the Strategic Leader and the Tactical Expert. The session will unpack four core leadership roles with complimentary capabilities that shape contemporary practice: organisational leader, leadership development coach, strategic cultural mediator, and trusted ethical advisor.
Through the Multidimensional Strategic-Communication Leadership Framework developed from this study, attendees will learn how to navigate cultural complexity, technological change, ethical responsibility, and organisational power structures in a way that is both professionally credible and culturally grounded. The workshop also introduces the first Saudi-developed definition of strategic communication, positioning it as a leadership practice rooted in relational accountability and Islamic values.
By attending, participants will leave with a clearer leadership mindset, a culturally relevant framework they can apply within their organisations, and practical guidance for aligning strategic communication with national transformation goals while maintaining ethical and cultural integrity.
Session Level
Intermediate to Advanced
Suitable for mid- to senior-level communication professionals, advisors, managers, and leaders seeking to deepen their strategic and leadership capabilities within regional and transformational contexts.
Facilitator
Steven Smith (PhD, Chart. CIPR, SCMP) is a senior strategic communication management professional, academic researcher, and practitioner with over 20 years of experience across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region. His work focuses on strategic communication leadership, cultural intelligence, technological stewardship, ethical ecosystems, and organisational transformation, with particular expertise in heavy industry, energy-intensive manufacturing, and utilities.
Steven serves as Senior Corporate Communication Specialist at Marafiq, a publicly listed integrated power, water, and gas utility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In this role, he provides executive-level strategic advisory, leads enterprise-wide brand and communication strategy, and oversees corporate reputation, stakeholder engagement, and crisis communication. His work is closely aligned with Vision 2030 priorities, ESG positioning, and large-scale organisational transformation.
Steven’s doctoral research makes a substantive contribution to Saudi Arabia’s national knowledge base by developing the first empirically grounded, Saudi-specific definition and framework for strategic communication leadership. The research advances understanding of how communication leadership operates within culturally grounded, values-driven, and tightly regulated environments, offering a model that aligns organisational strategy with national transformation agendas. Beyond the Saudi context, his work contributes to global scholarship by challenging Western-centric communication frameworks and providing transferable insights for organisations operating in non-Western, high-regulation, and rapidly transforming societies.
Steven works closely with executive leadership teams and publicly listed organisations, translating complex organisational and national objectives into purposeful, culturally aligned, and future-focused communication strategies that support sustainable value creation at both national and global levels.
Date & Timings
5 August, 2026, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM GST
Location
This is a virtual session hosted on Zoom
Registrations
This workshop is exclusive for MEPRA members only.