Director of Communications - ANZ

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Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

As a member of Microsoft’s Global Communications team, you will join a group of professionals focused on telling stories that help people fall in love with Microsoft, the things we make and the impact we have in the world. We are looking for an experienced communicator to lead our Microsoft ANZ Communications Team as a Communications Director.

The Director of Communications ANZ will be responsible for growing and protecting the brand in the market and serving as strategic counsellor to the leadership team on communication strategy, messaging, and media relations.

This leader will seize the opportunity to tell Microsoft’s story as a leader in AI and innovation and will be part of a global Communications team that is at the forefront of AI adoption.

This includes defining and driving a strategy that tells perception-shifting stories across earned and owned media as well as content creators/partnerships; the strategic development and management of communication plans and speaking platforms for the President of Microsoft ANZ; as well as strong team leadership and agency management.

The Director of Communications upholds storytelling excellence, leverages best-in-class customer and partner stories and has deep and trusted media relationships.

This key role drives the strategy for engaging with top-tier media, online influencers, and content creators.

You will lead a team that is at the forefront of AI adoption and should be able to demonstrate a passion for the positive impact of technology and how to apply AI to your role as a communicator.

Reporting to the Head of Communications Microsoft Asia, this role is part of the Global Media Relations Organization and operates in partnership with the Executive and Employee Communications leads in ANZ and the ANZ leadership team.

Required/Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree AND 15+ years’ communications experience either in-house or agency

Additional or Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of managing people and cross functional stakeholders in multinational companies.
• A deep understanding of Australia and New Zealand, our culture, political, economic and media environment, as well as local relevance for Microsoft’s business.
• Long-standing and trusted relationships with top tier media, influencers and content creators across technology, business and policy.

Key Skillsets:

• Excellent people and diplomacy skills
• A growth-mindset with a proven track record for new, innovative approaches and smart risk taking.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and partnership skills across a diverse set of audiences and stakeholders.
• Self-directing and highly adaptable, track record of delivering high impact communications results that map to diverse stakeholder needs.
• Long range planner and a great tactician.

#commsgroup

• People Leadership: Lead a team of Communications professionals through empowerment and accountability and by embodying our Microsoft leadership principles of modelling, coaching, and caring.
• Communication Strategy and Planning: partner closely with the Global Media Strategy & Campaigns team to lead innovative initiatives and best in class storytelling campaigns that resonate with target audience(s).
• Leadership in AI – develop a corporate narrative and thought leadership to demonstrate Microsoft’s leadership in AI, with a focus on the societal and economic benefits of AI, as well as its safe and responsible use. Serve as an AI evangelist for communications professionals by advocating AI adoption and demonstrating its value.
• Reputation Management: Act as a leader and trusted advisor within Microsoft by advancing and protecting the corporate image and reputation by identifying opportunities to positively shift the perception of the Microsoft brand, and correct inaccuracies when they occur.
• Cross functional stakeholder relationships: Leading and driving alignment between internal stakeholders, leaders, and others to prioritize and direct the communications teams as they work with business, engineering, and other cross functional teams to drive reputation-enhancing programs. Mentor others on best practices in guiding and advising stakeholders.
• Agency Management: Lead and direct agency team and resources and guide the Communications team in what strategic agency partnership looks like.
• Culture carrier: Embody our culture and values