Executive Communications Director

About the role

The Director of Executive Communications serves as a strategic advisor to the senior leadership of our Silicon, Systems, and Optics organizations. You will define and execute communication strategies that elevate our executive presence, translate complex technical concepts into compelling narratives, and advance Cisco’s AI story. This is a high-visibility role for a storyteller who can bridge strategic planning with hands-on execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership.
  • Develop and manage communication roadmaps, event calendars, and strategic opportunities that align with business objectives.
• Craft clear, consistent messaging for diverse audiences.
  • Oversee the production of speeches, keynotes, presentations, articles, and multimedia content that drive thought leadership.
• Partner with executives to refine their presentation skills, communication style, and overall engagement approach with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ensure messaging consistency across all internal and external channels.
• Design and implement communication vehicles (broadcasts, roundtables, social media, etc.).
  • Establish KPIs to measure effectiveness and continuously refine strategies based on data and feedback.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Storytelling: Ability to distill highly complex technical information into clear, palatable, and impactful soundbites.
  • Executive Presence: Proven ability to influence senior leaders and operate independently in a fast-paced, technical environment.
  • Operational Excellence: Experience managing complex activity calendars and high-visibility events (e.g., industry conferences, customer advisory boards).
  • Adaptability: Ability to pivot seamlessly between strategic thinking and tactical execution.

Minimum Qualifications

• 12-15 years of related experience and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Business Administration, or related field.
• 7+ years internal/external communications in varied disciplines, such as organizational communications, executive communications, and public relations.
• Experience within the networking industry.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within the semiconductor industry.

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

Pay

The starting salary range posted for this position is $230,000.00 to $289,800.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• A 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short and long-term disability coverage.
• Basic life insurance.
• 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees.
• 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday.
• Payed year-end holiday shutdown.
• 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco.
• 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees.
• Flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations).
• 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next.
• Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer.
• Annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies.
• Performance-based incentive pay on top of base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan.
• Illinois employees will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.