Director, Public Affairs

Location:Washington, District of Columbia, US

Area of InterestMarketing and Communications

Compensation Range200300 USD - 250800 USD

Job TypeProfessional

Technology Interest*None

Job Id1429732

The application window is expected to close on 11/20/24

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 advancing 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 level with government stakeholders, media and external influencers, and cross-collaboration internally is key for a truly integrated communications approach. You will directly manage 1 team member.

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.

Who You Are

• 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.

Minimum requirements

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

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. How do we do it? Well, for starters – with people like you!

Nearly every internet connection around the world touches Cisco. We’re the Internet’s optimists. Our technology makes sure the data traveling at light speed across connections does so securely, yet it’s not what we make but what we make happen which marks us out. We’re helping those who work in the health service to connect with patients and each other; schools, colleges, and universities to teach in even the most challenging of times. We’re helping businesses of all shapes and sizes to connect with their employees and customers in new ways, providing people with access to the digital skills they need and connecting the most remote parts of the world – whether through 5G, or otherwise.

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).

We know that powering an inclusive future starts with us. Because without diversity and a dedication to equality, there is no moving forward. Our 30 Inclusive Communities, that bring people together around commonalities or passions, are leading the way. Together we’re committed to learning, listening, caring for our communities, whilst supporting the most vulnerable with a collective effort to make this world a better place either with technology, or through our actions.

So, you have colorful hair? Don’t care. Tattoos? Show off your ink. Like polka dots? That’s cool. Pop culture geek? Many of us are. Passion for technology and world changing? Be you, with us! #WeAreCisco

When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees have access to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings. Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday, plus a day off for their birthday. Employees accrue up to 20 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) each year and have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues without tapping into their PTO. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community. Employees are also able to purchase company stock through our Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

.75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;

1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.