Director, Public Affairs

The application window is expected to close on 11/29/24. Due to the nature of the role, this person has to be located in the Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland area.

What You’ll Do

The Director, Public Affairs will lead Cisco’s government affairs and sustainability communications. This role will promote and protect Cisco’s corporate reputation with global governments. It will evangelize the innovative work we do with our customers and partners, and advance key public policy and sustainability initiatives around the world.

As a highly creative and flexible leader reporting to the Senior Director of Global Public Affairs, this person will set the communications strategy supporting Cisco’s education of government and sustainability leaders and influencers. This role will work closely at the federal, state, and local levels with government stakeholders, media, and external influencers. Cross-collaboration internally is key for a truly integrated communications approach. You will directly manage one team member.

This role is part of the team dedicated to public relations support for Cisco’s Chief People, Purpose, and Policy Officer, encompassing responsibilities such as Government Affairs, Sustainability, Upskilling and Reskilling, People and Communities, Social Impact, and more. It will be part of Cisco’s award-winning Global Communications Team, which comprises over 200 people. This team is responsible for advancing Cisco’s reputation worldwide, crafting and delivering clear and compelling narratives that grab the attention of employees, investors, customers, partners, media, and influencers.

• Oversee policy and sustainability PR and communications programs, including advising Cisco’s Chief Government Strategy Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer and their teams.
• Develop an integrated, coordinated communications approach, ensuring support for public policy, government affairs, and sustainability, mapping to Cisco’s key focus areas – AI, networking, and security.
• Drive media campaigns and ongoing response to major public policy issues and sustainability in broadcast, business, trade, and vertical media.
• Turn strategy into clearly articulated, actionable communications plans with key deliverables and media results regularly monitored and measured against business priorities and goals.
• Oversee the communications strategy, cross-company coordination, and development of materials for interviews, key meetings, and public appearances of senior executives.
• Support senior executives across the company and partner with executive communications teams to enhance in-person engagements with media in Washington, D.C.
• Help manage and guide PR agency support.

Who You Are

You bring a deep understanding of how public policy and sustainability issues, politics, beltway stakeholders, and corporate reputation intersect and can drive growth for a business while shaping how the technology industry is viewed by society.

Additional qualifications include:

• Experience running policy communications and public sector-focused campaigns at a technology company, a trade association, or within government.
• Deep relationships with business, political, trade press, and third-party influencers in Washington, D.C. (relationships in Brussels are a plus).
• Strong writing skills and understanding of message-crafting for target press and policymakers and associated audiences.
• A learning mindset with the ability to excel at digging into policy-related discussions around cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, the rapidly evolving AI landscape, environmental sustainability, future of work, and public sector technology.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, executive presence, and professionalism with experience advising/working directly with executives.
• Experience as a people manager who helps teams grow.

Minimum Requirements

• 10-12 years of experience in a communications role, with at least eight in Public Affairs.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, business administration, or related field.
• Must be located in the Washington, DC area.
• Deep relationships with business, political, trade press, and third-party influencers in Washington, D.C.
• Strong existing media relationships in Washington, D.C., and proven results across business, broadcast, trade, and policy media.
• ESG/sustainability communications experience and sustainability media relationships (a plus).
• Experience partnering with government affairs on issues management and crisis management.
• Ability to set strategy and manage execution while building credibility and trust with senior executives and C-Suite leaders.
• Strong storytelling and writing skills that advance company goals.

Why Cisco?

#WeAreCisco. We are all unique, but collectively we bring our talents to work as a team to develop innovative technology and power a more inclusive, digital future for everyone.

Nearly every internet connection around the world touches Cisco. We’re the Internet’s optimists. Our technology ensures data traveling at light speed across connections does so securely. It’s not what we make but what we make happen that sets us apart. We’re helping those in healthcare connect with patients and each other, schools to teach in challenging times, and businesses to connect with employees and customers in new ways. We’re providing digital skills to people and connecting the most remote parts of the world through technologies like 5G.

We tackle challenges together, celebrate achievements, and grow as a team. We support each other through life’s ups and downs and career milestones. Giving back is in our DNA, with 10 days off annually dedicated to volunteering.

Diversity and dedication to equality drive us forward. Our 30 Inclusive Communities bring people together around shared passions and interests. Together, we aim to create a better world through our actions and technology.

So, have colorful hair? Tattoos? Polka dots? Passion for technology? Be you, with us! #WeAreCisco

Message to Applicants in the U.S. and/or Canada

The salary range posted reflects projected hiring ranges for new full-time U.S. and/or Canada hires, excluding equity or benefits. U.S. employees enjoy quality medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contributions, and various wellbeing offerings. Employees receive up to 20 days of PTO annually, 12 paid holidays (including a floating holiday and birthday leave), and paid volunteering days. Additional benefits include access to purchase Cisco stock and performance-based incentive pay for sales roles.

Learn more here