This post has been extended to post until February 13, 2025.  Ideal candidate will be West Coast/ PST based.

We are looking for a Director, Executive Communications to develop and execute a comprehensive thought-leadership communications strategy and be a critical part of the global sales engine that contributes nearly 90% of Cisco’s bookings and is responsible for delivering customer value in two of Cisco’s fastest-growing segments: mid-market and SMB. This role would work closely with and support the SVP of the Global Partner and Routes to Market Sales organization.

Who You’ll Work With:

This role involves close collaboration and interaction across a wide range of people, roles, and functions, including global sales, business unit teams, regional communications, digital marketing, events, PR, AR, Corporate Communications, Sustainability, Cisco Capital, the People, Policy and Purpose organization, and other key teams and functions in Cisco.

Who we are:

We are the humble but mighty Communications team within the Global Partner and Routes to Market Sales organization. Our goal is to elevate Cisco’s and our executive’s visibility and leadership profiles through compelling, aligned, and strategic communications and messaging. We treasure creativity, collaboration and individuality.

Who You Are:

You are a seasoned professional who has developed and executed strategic executive communications plans that help build reputations, shape perceptions, and influence outcomes. You are experienced and adept working with senior-level leaders to advance their vision, thought leadership, and key messages across multiple channels. You have expertise across a range of communications, including speeches, presentations, internal communications, and digital content. You have experience aligning messaging to engage and influence target audiences and support organizational objectives. You have efficiently and effectively navigated across a diverse and intricate global organization, working in collaboration with different communications functions and activities, including marketing, AR, PR, social media, and events. You can clearly articulate (and defend) your ideas, and are comfortable providing constructive, unvarnished feedback when required. To you, communications is an art form that you don’t take for granted. You know that when everything comes together in a deliberate and relevant way, the work you do has the power to change minds, influence outcomes and encourage action. 

Key Responsibilities:Develop and implement a communications strategy and roadmap for a senior executive that align with the organization’s goals and enhance the voice and visibility of this executive. Collaborate closely with senior executive to understand their priorities, preferred communication styles, and vision to ensure messages reflect their voice authentically.Refine and evolve the executive’s leadership platform through high-quality content, including speeches, presentations, op-eds, internal and external events, industry forums, social media, and employee communications.Create messaging that resonates with various stakeholders, including partners, employees, senior leaders across Cisco, industry analysts, media, and influencers.Coach executive on effective communication techniques and help refine their communications skills as needed.Collaborate with other key teams, including global and regional sales communications Global Partner Marketing, Corporate Communications, AR and PR, and other executive communications and marketing leads across Cisco.Monitor and assess relevant issues and breaking news across the technology landscape that would warrant executive communications engagement; develop recommendations and implement communications approachStrong interpersonal and project management skills, including the ability to manage ambiguity and balance prioritizationCoordinate with design, video, and multimedia teams to produce visually compelling and coordinated communication materials.Track and analyze the impact of executive communications, adjusting strategies based on performance metrics, audience feedback, and evolving goals.Solid understanding of Cisco’s communications priorities, strategy, markets, key technology initiatives to help frame and contextualize communications.Minimum Qualifications:B.A or B.S. degree.8+ years’ experience in executive communications, corporate communications, or public relations.2+ years’ experience working in a communications role with senior- or C-level executives.Preferred Qualifications:B.A degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.Experience working in a sales organization and knowledge of the channel/partner.Experience with digital platforms and multimedia content creation tools.Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt tone and style to different audiences.Outstanding interpersonal skills and executive presence.Strong project management, event coordination and execution skills.Discretion, integrity, and the ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality.Flexible location for the right candidate.Willingness to travel approximately ~20% for events and meetings.Why Cisco

#WeAreCisco. We are all outstanding, but collectively we bring our talents to work as a team, to develop innovative technology and power a more inclusive, digital future for everyone. How do we do it? Well, for starters - with people like you!

Nearly every internet connection around the world touches Cisco. We’re the Internet’s optimists. Our technology makes sure the data traveling at light speed across connections does so securely, yet it’s not what we make but what we make happen which marks us out. We’re helping those who work in the health service to connect with patients and each other; schools, colleges, and universities to teach in even the most challenging of times. We’re helping businesses of all shapes and sizes to connect with their employees and customers in new ways, providing people with access to the digital skills they need and connecting the most remote parts of the world - whether through 5G, or otherwise.

We tackle whatever challenges come our way. We have each other’s backs, we recognize our accomplishments, and we grow together. We celebrate and support one another - from big and small things in life to big career moments. And giving back is in our DNA (we get 10 days off each year to do just that).

We know that powering an inclusive future starts with us. Because without diversity and a dedication to equality, there is no moving forward. Our 30 Inclusive Communities, that bring people together around commonalities or passions, are leading the way. Together we’re committed to learning, listening, caring for our communities, whilst supporting the most vulnerable with a collective effort to make this world a better place either with technology, or through our actions.