Director of Public Relations

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, and we’re dedicated to this mission across every aspect of our company. On Microsoft’s Public Affairs Communications Team you’ll join a group of professionals focused on telling stories that demonstrate the company’s commitment to building trust and contributing to solutions for some of the world’s big challenges. The Public Affairs Communications Team is also part of the broader Microsoft Communications Group, so you’ll join a large, diverse community of professionals focused on innovative communications, and you’ll have significant opportunities for career growth.
We’re looking for an experienced corporate communications or public affairs professional to manage communications for the company’s work to identify and combat malicious influence operations being conducted by governments and other actors around the world. The ideal candidate will have mastery of the full range of modern communications tools, feel comfortable managing communications for high-stakes issues, have a track record of world class media relations, and be familiar with the intersection of technology and geopolitical issues.
Your primary business partners will be the experts in our Digital Threat Analysis Center, part of our Customer Security and Trust organization in the Department of Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs. You will tell stories, lead communications moments and announcements, manage reactive issues, dream up create and create content that has impact with critical audiences, and engage reporters around the world.
The role is preferably based in London and will coordinate with our communications teams in Europe, the U.S, and around the world. Responsibilities Communication Strategy Setting and Planning

• Drives communication planning and strategy. Participates in business planning discussions. Translates analysis and work to protect customers into effective communications strategies and storytelling that resonate with target audiences. Understands, segments, and targets audience needs and adapts communications strategies accordingly. Embeds diversity and inclusion (D&I) throughout strategy and execution.

Storytelling and Messaging

• Leads stories in fresh ways that generate positive perceptions towards Microsoft. Collaborates across teams to develop and drive story telling opportunities by using data and insights. Uses expertise to determine what format is most appropriate and meaningful for a story and target audiences.

Execution of Communication Strategy

• Takes responsibility for the bill of materials and engagements, and ensures alignment to the strategy and adherence to business objectives. Recommends, develops, and orchestrates communications strategies and tactics. Solicits feedback and iterates as appropriate. Modifies narratives in real time based on reaction/response. Tests effectiveness of messaging. Drives collaboration with others, including agency partners, on the development and production of communications materials and deployment of communications tactics.

Stakeholder Management

• Conceptualizes and develops content to educate, guide, and advise internal stakeholders, customers, and partners on communications strategy and tactics. Proactively solicits understanding of perspective, goals, and desired outcomes of stakeholders. Establishes, refines, and manages expectations and priorities. Establishes decision making criteria and principles at outset to drive priorities and expectations. Ensures alignment on strategic intent as foundation for execution of tactics. Establishes rhythm of business (e.g., cadence, intent, content to keep stakeholders informed and up to date). Escalates and resolves escalations appropriately. Engages in business strategy discussions to ensure alignment. Facilitates among parties to bring to consensus on given issues.

Reputation Management

• Acts as a trusted advisor within Microsoft by advancing and protecting the corporate image and reputation. Anticipates, understands, and addresses factors that impact reputation. Leads effort to determine what is appropriate to withhold, share, continue, or stop. Engages with others to manage and conduct research to determine appropriateness, impact, risk, vulnerabilities, and alignment with values. Recommends and implements course of action accordingly.

Other:

• Draw attention to our original research and analysis on influence operations
• Help governments, industry, customers, and others understand the problem
• Advocate for solutions to address the issue

• Showcase Microsoft’s work to address the problem using our tools and resources
• Protect the company’s reputation in crisis situations
• Shape our messages and find ways to tell our stories with the most impact
• Provide communications counsel to executives
• Manage relationships with top tier reporters around the world

• Create and distribute world class digital and social media content
• Think creatively and expansively about creative ways to reach audiences
• Manage an agency team as integral members of our extended team
• Help drive integrated execution of communications campaigns by partnering with others across the company

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Political Science, International Affairs, or
• Extensive related field experience in corporate communications or public affairs

Additional/Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience in communications for policy or corporate communications topics

• Experienced in world class media relations
• Ability to manage complex issues in an incredibly fast-changing environment
• Deep understanding of geopolitics globally and domestic politics in large countries
• Understanding of evolving communications trends like social and digital media
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a team and across complex organizations

• Proven track record for new and innovative storytelling with ability to take risks
• Experience driving proactive communications campaigns and with crisis communications

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.
Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.