Director, CIO Communications & IT Strategy

WD; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 192,000 - 256,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Paid vacation time

Employee stock purchase plan

Tuition reimbursement

Transit benefits

WD Savings 401(k) Plan

Job summary

WD is seeking a Director of Strategic Communications to lead internal and external IT communications for the CIO and the IT organization. You will partner with CIO and IT leadership to shape strategic narratives, strengthen leadership communications, engage the global IT workforce, and raise visibility of IT’s role in enabling WD’s business.

The role requires 10+ years in communications, exceptional writing, and the ability to drive structured, decisive messaging in a fast-changing tech

Qualifications

• 10+ years of communications experience, including executive/internal communications for senior leaders.
• Trusted advisor to senior executives and leadership teams.
• Ability to bring structure to fast-moving, ambiguous environments while maintaining relationships.
• Experience leading communications for a large global function, ideally in tech.
• Exceptional writing, storytelling, and executive content development.
• Strong understanding of executive communications, employee engagement and thought leadership.
• Executive presence, business acumen, and stakeholder management across levels.
• Collaborative, adaptable, with project management and multi-priority handling.
• Proficiency in PowerPoint and AI-enabled communications tools.
• Experience in technology, semiconductor, infrastructure, or complex B2B industries preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary communications advisor to the CIO, providing strategic counsel and executive communications support.
• Develop and execute a CIO IT communications strategy aligning with business priorities.
• Shape narratives around IT strategy, AI, and the role of IT in enabling WD’s business.
• Create executive content including presentations, speeches, and briefings.
• Support CIO internal and external engagements and leadership forums.
• Establish planning processes for purposeful, consistent engagements.
• Identify opportunities to raise CIO visibility with key audiences.
• Lead IT communications strategy and drive alignment on priorities and culture.
• Translate priorities into focused communications plans with IT leadership.
• Lead IT all-hands, leadership meetings, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Create content to explain strategy and progress to IT staff.
• Showcase IT innovation and AI advancements to the function.
• Develop resources for IT leaders to communicate effectively.

Skills

Executive communications

Storytelling

Leadership communications

Stakeholder management

PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field

Job description

WD is seeking a Director of Strategic Communications to lead internal and external IT communications for the CIO and the IT organization. You will partner with CIO and IT leadership to shape strategic narratives, strengthen leadership communications, engage the global IT workforce, and raise visibility of IT’s role in enabling WD’s business.

The role requires 10+ years in communications, exceptional writing, and the ability to drive structured, decisive messaging in a fast-changing tech