AI Transformation PR Lead

Cisco; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 164,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco is seeking a Public Relations Manager to lead AI transformation and People initiatives, shaping global narratives and executive positioning. You’ll drive high-impact media engagement and craft clear, strategic messaging aligned with business priorities.

You’ll partner with executives to elevate platforms, manage cross-functional campaigns, and accelerate PR operations using AI workflows, delivering measurable impact across regions and priority portfolios.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in public relations, corporate communications, or related fields.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with top-tier business, technology, HR or policy media; demonstrated success in securing high-impact feature coverage.
• Experience developing and executing communications strategies for a defined portfolio or business area; strong knowledge of competitive landscape and stakeholder needs.
• Demonstrated capability in crisis and issue management on sensitive topics under tight deadlines.
• Experience leading and collaborating on cross-functional campaigns and project timelines for multi-channel initiatives.
• Comfort with ambiguity and proven ability to balance global communications goals with functional and regional needs.

Responsibilities

• Thought Leadership: Drive a consistent, high-impact media drumbeat to strengthen Cisco’s positioning across key People priorities, including AI workforce transformation, organizational leadership and key skilling initiatives related to AI, cybersecurity and more.
• Executive Positioning: Serve as a trusted advisor to key People executives and their benches, identifying and securing high-profile external platforms, including bylines, awards, speaking opportunities at premier industry conferences and events.
• Media Relations & Storytelling: Proactively pitch and secure high-visibility feature stories, quotes, and strong message pull-through across top business, tech, policy, and HR vertical outlets, as well as emerging media platforms like podcasts.
• Issues Management: Counsel internal stakeholders and help coordinate swift, thoughtful communications strategies on sensitive topics; help ensure message clarity and factual reporting.
• Agency Management and Operational Efficiency: Direct external PR agency partners as an extension of the internal team; ensure our PR strategy is well understood and translated into high impact results.
• Communicate Impact: Track, measure and communicate results to stakeholders and team leadership, with emphasis on impact and outcomes.
• AI Innovation & Workflow Automation: Continuously optimize PR operations and accelerate team deliverable timelines by actively experimenting with and adopting generative AI tools, agents and automated AI workflows.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Communications strategy

Crisis management

Cross-functional campaigns

Global vs regional balance

Job description

Cisco is seeking a Public Relations Manager to lead AI transformation and People initiatives, shaping global narratives and executive positioning. You’ll drive high-impact media engagement and craft clear, strategic messaging aligned with business priorities.

You’ll partner with executives to elevate platforms, manage cross-functional campaigns, and accelerate PR operations using AI workflows, delivering measurable impact across regions and priority portfolios.