1441772 - Senior Director of Corporate PR

Cisco Systems; United States; Remote; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Cisco as the Senior Director of Corporate Public Relations, a pivotal role shaping the corporate narrative during a critical era of AI-driven innovation. This position involves collaboration with top executives, proactive media relations, and leadership of a high-performing PR team to enhance Cisco’s reputation in the tech industry.

Benefits

Dedicated paid time off to volunteer—80 hours each year

Employee resource organizations for inclusion and community

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in public relations or corporate communications with a strong focus on storytelling.
• 4+ years of team leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Shape and lead Cisco’s corporate narrative during AI transformation.
• Cultivate relationships with media outlets and drive earned coverage.
• Guide and develop a talented PR team, promoting a culture of results-driven storytelling.

Skills

Public Relations

Team Leadership

Strategic Communication

Media Relations

Crisis Management

Job description

This job posting will remain active through June 21, 2025 and may be removed sooner if a substantial number of candidates are received. Ideal candidate will be based in either San Jose or NYC area. This individual is encouraged to work West Coast hours and will be required to travel up to 50% of the time.

Meet the Team

Global Communications is a dynamic team of over 150 world-class professionals dedicated to protecting and improving Cisco's reputation through innovative storytelling, flawless execution, and transparency. Within this team, the Public Relations (PR) group leads Cisco’s corporate and technology PR programs, crafting clear and compelling narratives that captivate media, influencers, and key stakeholders. Whether crafting the conversation around groundbreaking technologies or navigating high-stakes communications, we are at the forefront of Cisco's storytelling efforts.

Your Impact

Join Cisco, a global technology leader at the heart of the AI revolution, as ourSenior Director of Corporate Public Relations. In this pivotal role, you will:

• Be a Defining Voice in AI Transformation: Shape and lead Cisco’s corporate narrative during a critical era of AI-driven innovation, influencing the global technology conversation.
• Engage with Top Executives: Collaborate directly with C-level leaders, including Cisco’s CFO, Chief People, Policy and Purpose Officer, and Chief Legal Officer, to strategically elevate their platforms and drive impactful messaging.
• Lead Proactive Media Relations: Cultivate and maintain relationships with premier media outlets, driving earned coverage that improves Cisco’s reputation and thought leadership.
• Advance Business Growth Through PR: Generate measurable earned media results and thought leadership that align with Cisco’s growth objectives.
• Encourage and Lead a High-Performing Team: Guide and develop a talented group of PR professionals, encouraging a culture of ambitious, innovative, and results-driven storytelling.

This is a highly visible role that requires a blend of strategic vision and tactical execution, as you will craft our corporate PR strategy while rolling up your sleeves to make it happen. You’ll also collaborate with and support Critical Communications and Product PR to drive cohesive messaging across the organization. This person will directly lead a team of up to 10.

Minimum Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in public relations, corporate communications, or a related field with a strong focus on proactive storytelling.
• 4+ years of team leadership experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• A consistent record of redefining and elevating a brand through innovative PR strategies.
• Experience launching or supporting integrated campaigns across various channels, including earned, owned, paid, social, and events.
• Strong executive presence and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Sound judgment and strategic execution expertise, balancing big-picture thinking with tactical execution.
• Demonstrated expertise leading corporate communications at a major enterprise or global technology company, with strategic guidance provided to executive-level leaders.
• Establish and cultivate relationships with world-class business, technology, and policy reporters.
• Demonstrated success in financial communications, corporate narrative development, and executive communications.
• Experience leading and scaling high-performing teams, as well as partnering with external agencies.

#WeAreCisco

#WeAreCisco where every individual brings their unique skills and perspectives together to pursue our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all.

Our passion is connection—we celebrate our employees’ diverse set of backgrounds and focus on unlocking potential. Cisconians often experience one company, many careers where learning and development are encouraged and supported at every stage. Our technology, tools, and culture pioneered hybrid work trends, allowing all to not only give their best, but be their best.

We understand our outstanding opportunity to bring communities together and at the heart of that is our people. One-third of Cisconians collaborate in our 30 employee resource organizations, called Inclusive Communities, to connect, foster belonging, learn to be informed allies, and make a difference. Dedicated paid time off to volunteer—80 hours each year—allows us to give back to causes we are passionate about, and nearly 86% do!

Our purpose, driven by our people, is what makes us the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Helping our customers reimagine their applications, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals is what we do best. We ensure that every step we take is a step towards a more inclusive future for all. Take your next step and be you, with us!