Director of Communications

Microsoft•Redmond, WA

2d•$130,900 - $272,300•Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of the CTO (OCTO) is seeking a Director of Communications to build and execute a communications strategy that extends the office’s influence across the technology landscape. Reporting to the OCTO Chief Operating Officer, this leader will develop strategic processes for announcing new technologies, managing communications with and through key partnerships, finding channels to extend relevant narratives, and shaping technical programs and events for internal and external audiences. The role calls for a communications leader with strong awareness of AI-native and developer communities and a deep understanding of how ideas spread across technical audiences. The Director will monitor conversations among developers, builders, founders, influencers, researchers, partners, and investors; identify opportunities for OCTO to contribute; and develop creative, experimental ways to engage priority audiences. The position requires understanding OCTO’s mission and Microsoft’s AI strategy, a record of developer and open-source communications, technical storytelling, and AI thought leadership, and the ability to move between strategy and execution. The position requires a minimum of three days per week onsite at Microsoft’s Redmond campus.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Finance, or a related field and 6+ years of communications, marketing operations, field operations, program management, project management, or related experience, or equivalent experience.
Experience developing communications strategies and compelling narratives for complex technologies, AI initiatives, or strategic partnerships, translating technical concepts into clear, audience-relevant communications.
Experience developing and executing communications strategies for complex, cross-functional or cross-company initiatives.
Experience leading high-profile communications initiatives and coordinating across engineering, product, marketing, communications, and executive stakeholders.
Strong understanding of the AI and emerging technology landscape, including developer, open-source, AI-native, and technical influencer communities.
Experience developing executive thought leadership and engaging technical audiences through media, social platforms, events, editorial content, or emerging communications formats.
Experience identifying technology trends, industry conversations, and audience insights to shape communications strategies and expand organizational influence.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Finance, or a related field and 8+ years of relevant experience, or a bachelor’s degree in a related field and 12+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

Engage technical influencers and developer communities on social and developer platforms, and identify opportunities for Microsoft leaders and trusted voices to advance key ideas.
Collaborate across Microsoft—including Communications, Marketing, Investor Relations, CELA, product, engineering, research, and executive offices—to coordinate opportunities and align communications with broader company narratives.
Support communications for CTO-owned channels through contributed writing, social media, podcasts, video, and emerging formats.
Create strategic communications plans for media, influencers, first- and third-party events, and other opportunities to scale OCTO’s mission.
Lead launches of new technologies, experiences, or communications campaigns, including work advancing third-party partnerships such as OAI and Anthropic.
Contribute to the strategic relationship program connecting the CTO with influential founders, AI-native developers, researchers, technical leaders, investors, and other builders; plan engagements such as technical conversations, founder roundtables, private convenings, ecosystem visits, and one-to-one exchanges.
Drive and collaborate across Microsoft groups to develop communications plans for new AI technologies and experiences, particularly frontier models and experiences, including go-to-market opportunities with strategic partners.
Collaborate with Public Affairs to operationalize engagement for policymakers seeking deeper technical understanding of frontier AI, open-source AI, infrastructure, safety, and deployment.
Use AI-enabled approaches to track and report audience reach and impact, and refine strategies based on insights and learnings.
Develop strategies and programs that elevate OCTO voices, technical ideas, and emerging issues in broader industry dialogue and the ecosystem.
Create and operationalize approaches to distribute narrative frameworks, proof points, and intellectual assets across Microsoft leaders to communicate the company’s AI direction clearly and consistently.
Track emerging technology shifts, competitive advancements, policy debates, and developer sentiment, and develop communications plans for OCTO to lead, clarify, or challenge on these topics.
Contribute to operating mechanisms, planning cycles, and measurement that track communications progress and provide OCTO visibility.
Partner with OCTO leaders and builders to identify significant ideas, technical breakthroughs, and prototypes, and develop communications plans to build awareness, understanding, and adoption among internal and external audiences.
Build communications platforms for OCTO leaders and builders through events, media, technical community participation, editorial platforms, and social media.
Create scalable approaches to identify and amplify high-value stories, surface communicable work across OCTO teams, and connect initiatives to the broader CTO and company narrative.