Do you have a passion for telling stories? Are you interested in shaping the public perception and elevating awareness of one of the world’s most iconic technology companies?

Microsoft is looking for a communications professional to work alongside our leaders in the Bay Area. This role will help develop and manage a successful external and internal communications plan to increase awareness of our presence in the Bay Area with key audiences including future employees and the start-up and venture capital communities This person’s role will be equal parts external communications (media relations/spokesperson/community ambassador) and employee communications.

Responsibilities

The Senior Communications Manager for Microsoft Bay Area will report into Microsoft’s Communications organization (Employee and Social Team) and liaise with teams and key stakeholders in the region to create and execute a communications strategy designed to help amplify Microsoft’s strategic investments.

The ideal candidate will be steeped in Bay Area tech culture and have prior experience planning both external and internal communications strategies, be skilled in written and verbal communications, and have experience in a variety of communications disciplines, including but not limited to media relations, communications to support executives, employee communications, event planning and public speaking. The role will require strong project management capabilities.

Focus areas will include:

• Strategy: Develop, maintain, execute, and measure a communications strategy that supports our business goals in the region.
• Storytelling: Story sourcing and creation for the Microsoft Bay Area to highlight our employees’ stories, our innovative work, and our investment in our community – both inside and outside the company.
• Community and media engagement: Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, regional media and influencers, site teams, and key stakeholders as well as knowledge of event landscape to support the communications strategy.
• Talent engagement: Bring our Employer Brand narrative to life and successfully communicate our Employer Value Proposition through owned and earned media, paid advertising campaigns, and employee storytelling.
• Measurement and reporting:Work with research team and agency to develop a framework to measure progress. Present regular updates on communications activities to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in communications or marketing fields.
• 5+ years experience working with the media and/or agencies that pitch media.
• Experience developing communication plans that include media relations and the employee audience.
• Strong written/verbal communication skills; ability to create in a wide variety of presentation and communication formats.
• Experience using data to make business decisions, and a strong results orientation.
• Experience project managing projects, working across disciplines and teams.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience, communications focus preferred.
• Experience managing a budget.
• Easily build positive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Experience and credibility as a communicator in a fast-paced environment where the ability to influence, work across a complex matrix of roles and disciplines, and build relationships inside and outside of the company are strong plusses.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in successfully managing media relations on challenging and complex issues.
• Fluency with channel and content strategies, including amplifying across social channels.
• Good skills in SharePoint, PowerPoint, Yammer, and other communication technologies.
• Self-starter; ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.

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.