Senior Director of Media Bureau
About The Position
Join a worldwide technology leader at the forefront of the AI revolution. Cisco is seeking a seasoned Senior Director to build and lead a center of excellence spanning executive communications, media strategy, narrative architecture, editorial leadership, and communications effectiveness. This high-visibility role partners directly with senior leaders—including the President & Chief Product Officer—to shape how Cisco's story is told consistently and compellingly across our portfolio. You will serve as the connective tissue across Cisco's communications function: aligning executive platforms, raising the bar on media engagement and spokesperson readiness, architecting the corporate narrative, governing major announcements, and ensuring every program is measured for impact. The ideal candidate is an expert storyteller and operator who thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution, with the credibility to counsel senior executives and the rigor to build scalable systems and standards.
Requirements
- 15+ years of experience in public relations, communications, or related fields with a bias toward proactive storytelling.
- Proven track record of providing strategic communications counsel to C-suite executives and elevating executive platforms.
- Strong media relationships with top-tier business and technology reporters, plus experience building media training and spokesperson development programs.
- Demonstrated expertise in corporate narrative development, editorial governance, and communications measurement.
- Experience leading and scaling high-performing teams.
Nice To Haves
- Track record of transforming and significantly elevating a brand.
- Experience launching or supporting integrated campaigns across multiple channels (earned, owned, paid, social, events).
- Experience building communications centers of excellence or shared-services models.
Responsibilities
- Executive Thought Leadership: Lead a center of excellence for executive communications supporting the President & CPO and aligning executives across key swim lanes—elevating their platforms and ensuring their voices reflect Cisco's innovation and leadership in the AI era.
- Media Excellence: Build and run a best-in-class media function—including the news bureau, media training, and spokesperson development—raising readiness and consistency across the executive bench.
- Narrative Architecture: Own the development and stewardship of Cisco's product and innovation story, FAQs, and cross-portfolio storytelling, ensuring a cohesive narrative that resonates across audiences and channels; partner closely with Corporate PR on financial messaging.
- Editorial Leadership: Establish and govern editorial standards for major announcements and press releases, driving quality, consistency, and strategic alignment across the function.
- Communications Effectiveness: Lead key initiatives on measurement and insights, building the frameworks and analytics that demonstrate impact and continuously sharpen storytelling and program performance.
- Lead with AI: Find innovative ways to use AI to derive signal in the market that can be translated into messaging and media opportunities.
- Lead and Inspire: Manage and mentor a talented team, fostering a culture of bold, proactive, and data-driven storytelling.
Benefits
- medical, dental and vision insurance
- a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
- paid parental leave
- short and long-term disability coverage
- basic life insurance
- restricted stock units
- 10 paid holidays per full calendar year
- 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
- 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday
- paid year-end holiday shutdown
- 4 paid days off for personal wellness
- 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year (non-exempt)
- flexible vacation time off program (exempt)
- 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter
- up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
- Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members
- Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer
- annual bonuses (for non-sales roles)
- performance-based incentive pay (for sales roles)
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
