Senior Director, Communications - AI Platform & Developer

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Communications practitioner to lead the Artificial Inteligence (AI) Platform & Developer Communications Team. This role will report to the General Manager of the Cloud & AI Communications Team and will be responsible for working across teams to develop all external Communications strategies for this critical sector of the Microsoft business.

We are looking for a Senior Director, Communications - AI Platform & Developer team that has a breadth of understanding for developer experiences. They understand the full stack of what makes developers successful – from development with Visual Studio and VS Code, to collaboration with GitHub, deployment, and infusing AI with Azure OpenAI, Azure AI Services, and Azure AI Foundry. You should have a passion for technology and cloud services, AI models, developer tools, a belief in the broader company mission, and the ability to lead a team of motivated Communicators. We are looking for energetic individual with the experience to develop and execute an effective Global Communications Strategy that positively influences perceptions across multiple audiences and stakeholders, in particular AI developers, content creators, and influencers.

As member of the leadership team for Cloud and AI Comms, this role will place an emphasis on developing quick twitch Communications programs including but not limited to media relations, executive speaking opportunities, cross company news moments like Microsoft Build, developer relations, owned content strategies, direct engagement with traditional and non-traditional influencers. This is a deeply collaborative and strategic role that calls for close partnerships, excellence in Communications, and the ability to orchestrate work in partnership with senior leaders across key stakeholders in Communications, Marketing, Engineering, Developer Relations, Investor Relations, and Microsoft teams around the world. You will have significant opportunities for executive visibility, to show thought leadership, and to drive business impact. We are seeking a creative storyteller, a team leader, one who is self-motivated & self-directed, able to operate in a fast-paced environment, and manage ambiguity while striving for high-quality results. This person will work well in a team to drive impact quickly and operate with the highest levels of integrity and trust. The best candidate will have had experience supporting senior executives, has a deep background working with an understanding AI models (including Microsoft and broader industry) and developing Communications strategies that will light up and excite AI followers and developers around the world.

Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond. 

Responsibilities

• Will serve a member of Commercial Cloud and AI Comms leadership team, and be responsible for managing a team.
• Collaborates across the organization to develop a comprehensive AI Platform & Developer Communications plan that influences perceptions and drives effective actions and outcomes with our audiences, while aligning with current business priorities.
• Will serve as deep technical subject matter expert for Microsoft’s AI Platform and Developer products, tools, models, and services.
• Can develop and curate relationships with external developers, creators, and influencers.
• Effectively uses data and insights to inform and evolve storytelling across all external communications.
• Proactively engages with internal and external stakeholders to develop plans and stories that will accrue to broader business goals.
• Leverages technical experience, and knowledge of successful communication campaigns to determine the appropriate formats of a given story.
• Thinks beyond individual product capabilities and collaborates across teams, partnering with key stakeholders to land key messages.
• Maintains an up-to-date understanding of industry trends, competitor landscape, and emerging technologies to inform Communications strategies.
• Provides strategic Communications counsel to senior leadership.
• Internal communications and team culture responsibilities.

• Other

  • Embody our Culture and Values

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Finance, or related field AND 8+ years Communications, Marketing Operations, Field Operations, Program Management, Project Management, or related experience 
  • OR equivalent experience. 
• 3+ years people management experience. 
• 3+ years experience leading global teams. 
• 2+ years experience working on Communications campaign creation and execution.
• 2+ years experience working in the AI and/or ML (Machine Learning).

Additional or Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Finance, or related field AND 10+ years Communications, Marketing Operations, Field Operations, Program Management, Project Management, or related experience 
  • OR Master's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Finance, or related field AND 8+ years Communications, Marketing Operations, Field Operations, Program Management, Project Management, or related experience 
  • OR equivalent experience. 
• 5+ years people management experience. 

Communications M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $155,800 - $277,200 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $202,400 - $303,600 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until May 25, 2025.

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.