Public Relations Lead for AI & People Transformation

Cisco; New York (NY); On-site; USD 145,000 - 212,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco is seeking a Public Relations Manager to lead AI transformation storytelling and People initiatives from New York. You will translate complex business priorities into compelling narratives and partner with executives to elevate platforms and drive external conversations.

Responsibilities include driving a media drumbeat, securing bylines and speaking opportunities, and measuring impact across global audiences, while leveraging AI tools to streamline workflows and partnerships with agencies.

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

Strategic communications

Crisis management

Cross-functional leadership

Global communications

Ambiguity tolerance

Job description

Cisco is seeking a Public Relations Manager to lead AI transformation storytelling and People initiatives from New York. You will translate complex business priorities into compelling narratives and partner with executives to elevate platforms and drive external conversations.

Responsibilities include driving a media drumbeat, securing bylines and speaking opportunities, and measuring impact across global audiences, while leveraging AI tools to streamline workflows and partnerships with agencies.