Communications Manager

Azure makes business possible across every industry, and every region in the world. Customers rely on Azure as their on-demand, infinitely scalable platform that powers their business applications, the lifeblood that keeps things running. Cloud technology is what makes business possible today, and Azure core technology provides the critical foundation for Microsoft's cloud and hybrid offerings. We need an executive communications manager to work with our Director of Communications to develop stories and supporting materials for internal and external executive communications projects and engagements.
Our ideal candidate is a communications professional who has an affinity for cloud technology and strong writing, communications and project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex technical topics into compelling stories. Their passion for putting the customer first, creativity and storytelling skills will help them develop and execute communications plans with great workback plans/timelines, create content in multiple formats - e.g., written communications, speeches, blog posts, articles, papers, event content, videos and internal channel content for SharePoint, Teams, etc.
This role is a key member of our executive communications program, so the ability to support and evangelize our organization's programmatic efforts will be key. You'll be working directly with senior leads and executives to help them tell their stories to customers, partners, employees, and other audiences. The highly collaborative role relies on partnerships with a broad group of stakeholders and orchestrates work across this group - spanning engineering, communications, marketing, PR/AR, etc.
Our inclusive team has grit and heart, and we value and operate with the highest levels of integrity and trust. As part of a growth-mindset culture, we are committed to excellence, celebrate our wins and learnings as a team, experiment, roll up our sleeves to help each other as needed.
If the above sounds like you, and you are self-motivated, creative, accountable, and can operate in a fast-paced environment - we want to talk with you! This is a great opportunity to work in one of the high-profile and fastest-growing areas of cloud at Microsoft! #azurecoreResponsibilities

• Create and drive executive communications projects across diverse, global audiences by developing a clear set of plans with desired outcomes and metrics and meaningful content. Be accountable for delivering against those plans and goals, which should result in positive business impact.
• Support the executive communications rhythm and approach by creating and maintaining core content (messaging, stories, PowerPoint decks, SharePoint sites, etc.). Identify where there may be communications gaps and/or needs and work with the Communications Director to adjust plans as needed.
• Create high-visibility executive presentation decks, speeches, videos, emails, social media content in conjunction with the Director of Communications, Azure core team and stakeholders.
• Serve as key point of coordination and communication between internal teams and organizations. Create, manage and distribute internal program communications updates to ensure transparency across groups.
• Provide consulting and support to other team members for executive communications and the team's programmatic needs as they arise.

Qualifications Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or a related field or related work experience
• 6+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, journalism, or related areas leading impactful communications projects, with a proven track record of running impactful communications programs
• 3+ years of experience developing great communications for executive-level engagements, including writing: communications project plans, key messaging, email communications, speeches, event presentations, large keynote audiences, and video scripts (preferably in tech sector)
• 2+ years of experience translating complex technology topics into understandable, yet creative stories

Preferred Qualifications:

• Exceptional writing, strong presentation skills and high attention to detail
• Business maturity, confidentiality, and experience in working with senior executives
• Positively contributes as part of a team in an evolving work environment with a can-do, learning mindset
• Experienced communications practitioner with solid experience and a proven track record creating and executing impactful, externally facing communications projects in medium to large organizations, preferably in the technology sector
• Flexible, and capable of dealing with ambiguity, change, adversity and real-time adjustments to projects and plans - under tight deadlines
• Strong knowledge and understanding of communications discipline, practices, and techniques, including strong working knowledge of communications platforms, channels, and creative content generation
• Ability to work effectively and partner with diverse groups, including executives, engineering teams, communications and marketing teams, and build strong cross-group collaboration
• Ability to comprehend complex technology topics and use strong communication skills to translate details into understandable, yet creative stories
• Passion to foster a culture of efficiency and high performance through initiatives with a willingness to try new things and learn from both failures and successes
• Systems thinking; ability to manage a high degree of complexity and to distill information into simple messages; ability to think strategically and develop processes and systems to enable the strategy

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:

• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Communications IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $101,200 - $194,800 per year.
Microsoft has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States, which allows us to pay employees competitively and consistently in different geographic markets (see below). The range above reflects the potential base pay across the U.S. for this role (except as noted below); the applicable base pay range will depend on what ultimately is determined to be the candidate's primary work location. Individual base pay depends on various factors, in addition to primary work location, such as complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. Base pay ranges are reviewed and typically updated each year. Offers are made within the base pay range applicable at the time.
At Microsoft certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, annual bonus and stock. These awards are allocated based on individual performance. In addition, certain roles also have the opportunity to earn sales incentives based on revenue or utilization, depending on the terms of the plan and the employee's role. Benefits/perks listed here may vary depending on the nature of employment with Microsoft and the country work location. U.S.-based employees have access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, wellbeing benefits, paid vacation time, paid sick and mental health time, and several paid holidays, among others.
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 $130,000 - $213,200 per year.
Our commitment to pay equity
We are committed to the principle of pay equity - paying employees equitably for substantially similar work. To learn more about pay equity and our other commitments to increase representation and strengthen our culture of inclusion, check out our annual Diversity & Inclusion Report. (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/diversity/inside-microsoft/annual-report)
Understanding roles at Microsoft
The top of this page displays the role for which the base pay ranges apply - Communications IC4. The way we define roles includes two things: discipline (the type of work) and career stage (scope and complexity). The career stage has two parts - the first identifies whether the role is a manager (M), an individual contributor (IC), an admin-technician-retail (ATR) job, or an intern. The second part identifies the relative seniority of the role - a higher number (or later letter alphabetically in the case of ATR) indicates greater scope and complexity.
Additional Details :
Micros oft 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 charact eristic 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 due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form .
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