Director, Public Affairs

Overview
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 professional to join our policy communication team in the role of Director, Public Affairs. This D.C.-based team is embedded with our U.S. government affairs team and is charged with storytelling for policy, government affairs, geopolitics, and other high-profile issues. This role will also support the work of the Democracy Forward team, which works to protect and promote democratic processes and access to trusted journalism. You'll work in a fast-paced environment, communicating real-time developments and managing crisis scenarios. As a member of the Public Affairs Team, you'll also collaborate with colleagues focused on marketing, digital media, campaign management, and global government affairs, as well as communications colleagues around the company focused on products and on the ground in locations around the world. With direct experience in media relations at the highest level and the other tools in modern communications including messaging, social media, broadcast communication, content development, and events. You'll have a deep understanding of emerging technologies, the political and regulatory landscapes in key markets around the world, and of the geopolitical environment. You'll know how to manage a crisis and provide communications counsel for senior executives.

Responsibilities

1. Execution of Communication Strategy: Take responsibility for the bill of materials and engagements and ensure alignment to the strategy and adherence to business objectives. Recommend, develop, and orchestrate communications strategies and tactics. Solicit feedback and iterate as appropriate. Modify narratives in real time based on reaction/response. Test effectiveness of messaging. Drive collaboration with others, including agency partners, on the development and production of communications materials and deployment of communications tactics.
2. Stakeholder Management: Conceptualize and develop content to educate, guide, and advise internal stakeholders and partners on communications strategy and tactics. Proactively solicit understanding of perspective, goals, and desired outcomes of stakeholders. Establish decision making criteria and principles at outset to drive priorities and expectations. Ensure alignment on strategic intent as foundation for execution of tactics. Escalate and resolve escalations appropriately.
3. Reputation Management: Act as a trusted advisor within Microsoft by advancing and protecting the corporate image and reputation. Anticipate, understand, and address factors that impact reputation.
4. Other: 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. Think creatively and expansively about creative ways to reach audiences. Have an understanding of the Congressional calendar or have prior work on Capitol Hill. Ability to travel periodically as needed.

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