Cisco Director Public Affairs 

United States, District of Columbia, Washington 

297252869

This role is a part of the team dedicated to public relations support for Cisco’s Chief People, Purpose and Policy officer, encompassing responsibilities including 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 is comprised of 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 which are 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.

• 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.
• 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 is a plus).
• Strong writing skills and understanding of message-crafting for target press and policymaker and associated audiences factoring in the competitive landscape and how to differentiate the Cisco story and external position.
• A learning-mindset and 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 that helps teams grow.

10-12 years of experience in a communications role with atleast 8 in Public Affairs

Must be located in the Washington, DC area

Strong existing media relationships in Washington, D.C., and proven results across business, broadcast, trade and policy media required for consideration

ESG/ sustainability communications experience and sustainability media relationships is a plus

Experience partnering with government affairs on issues management and crisis management required for consideration

Ability to set strategy and manage execution while building credibility and trust with senior executives and C-Suite leaders

We tackle whatever challenges come our way. We have each other’s backs, we recognize our accomplishments, and we grow together. We celebrate and support one another – from big and small things in life to big career moments. And giving back is in our DNA (we get 10 days off each year to do just that).