At Hanson Search, we are specialists in corporate affairs executive search, recruiting for leading organisations to build high-performing communications and public affairs teams. From government-backed entities and sovereign wealth funds to multinational corporations and fast-growing private enterprises, we deliver senior corporate affairs talent that drives strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management.

With corporate affairs consultants based in Abu Dhabi and Dubai—as well as internationally—we combine local market expertise with access to a global talent network. Our headhunters have a strong track record of placing top-tier corporate affairs professionals across major industries in the Middle East. We recruit for roles including Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Directors of Public Affairs, ESG and Communications Leads, and internal communications specialists with expertise in reputation risk, regulatory engagement, and crisis management.

Our Corporate Affairs Executive Search Approach

Corporate affairs goals are at the forefront of every organisation’s agenda in Abi Dhabi, especially given the country’s position as a global business leader. Hiring the right professionals is more important than ever, particularly in fast-growing divisions.

We have a dedicated team of consultants with in-depth knowledge of the corporate affairs landscape in Abu Dhabi. All our candidates are experts in driving corporate affairs recruitment strategies, managing stakeholder relations, and creating meaningful dialogue between organizations, government entities, media, and the public. Our expert consultants come with both industry-specific experience and professional recruitment credentials. Every corporate affairs search is led by a senior consultant with corporate communications and public affairs experience, ensuring alignment between candidate capabilities and your organisational goals.

Our Expertise in Corporate Affairs Recruitment

Corporate affairs plays a crucial role in managing an organisation’s external reputation and internal engagement. We work across sectors such as government, financial services, energy, real estate, infrastructure, healthcare, and technology to recruit leaders who influence public perception, manage policy risk, and drive narrative alignment across stakeholders.

Corporate affairs roles we recruit:

  • Chief Corporate Affairs Officer / Director of Corporate Communications

  • Head of Public Affairs / Government Relations Managers

  • ESG & Sustainability Communications Leads

  • Crisis Communications Specialists

  • Internal Communications & Employee Engagement Leaders

Why choose Hanson Search as your Recruitment Partner

As an independent, employee-owned executive search firm, we take a personal approach to every corporate affairs recruitment brief. Our service is personal, our reputation is trusted, and our commitment to clients is unwavering. Unlike many traditional headhunting firms, our partners lead every search directly—leveraging deep, highly developed networks to uncover exceptional talent. We take it personally. We don’t stop until we deliver the best candidate for your role.

We’ve built a respected global brand that clients rely on and candidates trust. As a certified B Corp, we also support our clients in building a more sustainable supply chain through ethical hiring practices and values-led recruitment

Contact us to find your next corporate affairs hire:

If you are looking to hire or need advice on the role of a corporate affairs professional in Abu Dhabi, get in touch with our expert talent team today.

Get in touch

Introducing
Our Experts

Our team possesses a unique blend of industry expertise, advanced recruitment acumen, and professional assessment skills on a global scale. With an in-depth understanding of the market, we are perfectly positioned to help you hire the best talent that you need

  • Global CEO, Regional Head of MENA

    Alice Weightman

    Alice Weightman: CEO, Global Executive Search Leader, and UAE Market Expert: Alice Weightman is the Founder and CEO of Hanson...
  • UK & Europe Managing Partner, Global Head of Public Affairs

    Janie Emmerson

    Janie Emmerson: Janie leads Hanson Search’s UK & European based teams. From the London office, she guides and supports their...
  • Principal consultant, Sales & Marketing

    Nils Gerardin

    Nils Gerardin: Nils Geradin is a seasoned executive search and recruitment consultant with nearly ten years of experience placing senior-level...
  • Managing Partner, MENA

    Felice Hurst

    Felice Hurst: With nearly twenty years of experience in search and recruitment, and a decade of experience working in MENA,...
  • Managing Partner, Global Head of Corporate Affairs

    Katie Simpson

    Katie Simpson: Having previously spent 10 years in communications, Katie brings real industry insights into the hiring process. Taking her...
  • Partner, Global Head of Healthcare & Communications

    Amy Hayer

    Amy Hayer: Amy brings over 15 years of experience in executive search, with a focus on healthcare communications and international...
  • Partner, European Head of Public Affairs and Communications

    Barbara Ozanon

    Barbara Ozanon: With over a decade of experience in recruitment, executive search, and headhunting, Barbara Ozanon leads Hanson Search’s European...
  • Managing Consultant, Public Affairs & Policy, UK & USA

    Peter Ferguson

    Peter Ferguson: As a Managing Consultant in the Public Affairs Practice, Peter advises and supports some of the world’s most...
  • PA to CEO & Business Support

    Sam White

    Sam White: Sam joined Hanson Search in 2016 as an internal recruiter, bringing prior experience as an independent headhunter. Today,...
  • Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion

    Robyn Field

    Robyn Field: As Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion, Robyn is responsible for all business and administrative operations at Hanson...
  • Senior Consultant, Head of Digital

    Daisy Hughes

    Daisy Hughes: Daisy brings nearly a decade of recruitment experience to her role at Hanson Search, where she leads the...
  • Consultant, MENA

    Lexi Smith-Muller

    Lexi Smith-Muller: Lexi has over 10 years’ experience of recruitment & talent acquisition, and over 6 years’ experience working in...
  • Principal Consultant, Communications & Marketing

    Helena Ranger

    Helena Ranger: Helena is the Principal Consultant leading the Consumer division across PR and Marketing. She plays a pivotal role...
  • Advisor

    Nicholas Watkins

    Nicholas Watkins: Nicholas has over 30 years of business leadership experience that combines successful careers in the media, leisure and...
  • Senior Consultant, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability

    Allyson Kurian

    Allyson Kurian: Allyson is a specialist in corporate affairs and sustainability communications, working at the mid-to-senior end of the market,...
  • Senior Consultant, Communications, Europe

    Camille Chevallier

    Camille Chevallier: Having started her career as a comms professional, Camille spent 20 years in senior roles within leading agencies...
  • Business Support

    Mirjana R.Dejanovska

    Mirjana Dejanovska: Mirjana is Talent Strategist & Customer Success Manager at our sister company, The Work Crowd. Mirjana joined Hanson...
  • Internal Recruitment & Operations Lead

    Katie Cubbon

    Katie Cubbon: Katie manages internal recruitment at Hanson Search, while also overseeing office management and business operations. With experience across...
  • Researcher

    Arlena Butt

    Arlena Butt: Arlena is a valued researcher at Hanson Search, supporting the team across Public Affairs, Corporate Communications, Health and...
  • Researcher

    Kristina Ugrin

    Kristina Ugrin: With more than 10 years’ experience in the UAE and Europe, in recruitment consultancy, event management and in-house...
  • Partner, Global Head of Sustainability

    Johnny Goldsmith

    Johnny Goldsmith: Johnny leads the global Sustainability & ESG practice at Hanson Search. He has over 8 years’ experience in...
  • Senior Consultant, Corporate & Financial Communications, UK & USA

    Rachel L’Estrange

    Rachel L’Estrange: After spending six years in Corporate PR and Marketing, Rachel made the move into recruiting for the industry...
  • Business Support

    Ivana Stevanovska

    Ivana Stevanovska: Ivana is Community and Marketing Executive at our sister company, The Work Crowd. As well as being highly...
  • Head of Interim Communications

    Ben Mitchell

    Ben Mitchell: Head of Interim Communications Ben is Head of Interim Communications and works across both Hanson Search and our...
  • Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment Services

    Madeleine Weightman

    Madeleine Weightman: Madeleine is Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment and co-Founder of The Work Crowd, the sister company...
  • Search Director, MENA

    Amanda Dowie

    Amanda Dowie Amanda Dowie is an accomplished executive search specialist with over 20 years of global recruitment experience, including more...
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