Communications Manager – Events | Doha

Position Overview

The Communications Manager leads Art Basel’s media relations strategy across key markets, ensuring strategic visibility, narrative consistency, and impactful communications for its global shows and initiatives. This role steers proactive outreach, press engagement, and reputation management in collaboration with regional and global teams.

Company Overview

Art Basel is a premier international art fair organisation, renowned for showcasing modern and contemporary art from leading galleries and artists around the world. Established in 1970 in Basel, Switzerland, by gallerists Ernst Beyeler, Trudl Bruckner, and Balz Hilt, Art Basel has grown into a global brand with annual shows in Basel (Switzerland), Miami Beach (USA), Hong Kong, and Paris.

Art Basel, together with its parent company MCH, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with leading Qatari organisations Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and QC+ to launch a new art fair in Doha, set to debut in February 2026. This innovative collaboration will bring the Art Basel experience to the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region for the first time.

The inaugural edition of Art Basel Qatar will take place at M7, a dynamic creative hub located in the capital city of Doha, alongside the Doha Design District in the city’s downtown Msheireb area. The fair will be a tightly curated showcase of Modern and contemporary art, designed to introduce visitors to the rich artistic diversity of the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and beyond.

Under the stewardship of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Qatar stands as a proud centre for culture and creativity and a home to world-class art collections, renowned institutions, and celebrated festivals of design and photography. Qatar Museums is also leading the development of the future Art Mill Museum and Lusail Museum, as well as a permanent Qatar Pavilion in Venice’s Giardini della Biennale. Art Basel Qatar will build on this exciting momentum – introducing a fifth premier event to the ecosystem and further accelerating opportunities for artists, galleries, patrons, and partners to connect, collaborate, collect, and engage with art worldwide.

Sustainability is a pressing issue for art fairs and the art world at large. Art Basel is strongly committed to reducing its environmental impact as well as using its platform to encourage wider change across the art world and inspire sustainable practices. They are looking for people who have a strong personal interest in bringing this forward.

Key Responsibilities Communications Manager

• Develop and execute Art Basel’s international media relations strategy, tailored to each show and audience segment.

• Manage press campaigns and announcements, coordinate press releases, and supervise translations and distributions.

• Serve as spokesperson or press liaison during key events, managing high-level media inquiries and interviews.

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, critics, editors, and key cultural media.

• Collaborate with curators, directors, and content teams to shape compelling media narratives.

• Coordinate press accreditation and on-site media operations during shows.

• Monitor global media coverage and prepare post-event coverage reports.

• Oversee crisis communication and support brand reputation management.

Communications Manager Profile Requirements

• 5–7 years of experience in PR or communications within the cultural, lifestyle, or media sectors.

• Proven media network and experience working with top-tier international press.

• Strong writing, storytelling, and editing skills in English; French or German a plus.

• Confident, diplomatic, and proactive communicator with high cultural sensitivity.

• Experience managing complex communication timelines and cross-functional input.

• Comfortable representing an organisation in high-profile and fast-paced environments.

• Deep interest in contemporary art and its global ecosystem.

If you have the relevant experience and this opportunity sounds interesting to you, please get in touch with our team including a copy of your CV as soon as possible via the form below.

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