About this role
Role Overview
The Senior Director, Policy Communications is a senior communications leadership role responsible for leading Microsoft's policy communications team. The position focuses on shaping public narratives around government affairs, public policy, geopolitics, emerging technologies, and corporate reputation, while managing a global team and advising senior executives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and manage a global policy communications team.
- Recruit talent and oversee budgets, timelines, and agency partnerships.
- Develop and execute communication strategies for policy, government affairs, and geopolitical issues.
- Shape messaging across media, social media, executive communications, content, events, and broadcast channels.
- Build communication materials and campaigns aligned with business objectives.
- Advise executives on strategic communications and crisis management.
- Manage Microsoft's reputation by anticipating and responding to public policy and regulatory issues.
- Collaborate with marketing, digital media, global government affairs, and communications teams.
- Educate and advise internal stakeholders on communication strategies.
- Adapt messaging quickly in response to evolving political, regulatory, and media developments.
- Travel periodically as required.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree plus 8+ years of experience in communications, marketing, program management, project management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- 3+ years of people management experience.
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience developing and executing strategic communications.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-changing environment.
Preferred Qualifications
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Master's degree plus 12+ years, or Bachelor's degree plus 15+ years, of relevant experience.
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5+ years of people management experience.
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Significant experience working with journalists and media relations.
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Experience providing communications counsel to senior executives.
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Deep understanding of:
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Global geopolitics
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Public policy
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Government affairs
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Regulatory environments
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Emerging technologies
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Strong crisis communications expertise.
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Proven ability to create innovative storytelling and communications campaigns.
Work Environment
- Fully on-site.
- Less than 25% travel.
- Full-time People Manager role.
Compensation
- U.S. base salary: $155,800–$277,200 annually.
- San Francisco Bay Area & New York City: $202,400–$303,600 annually.
- Additional bonuses, equity, and benefits may be available depending on eligibility.
About Microsoft
Microsoft is a global technology leader focused on empowering individuals and organizations through innovation. Within Microsoft's Public Affairs Communications organization, this role supports the company's engagement on public policy, trust, government relations, and global issues while protecting and strengthening Microsoft's reputation.
Overall
This is a senior executive communications leadership position focused on policy communications, media relations, public affairs, government affairs, crisis communications, executive advisory, reputation management, and people leadership. It is best suited for experienced communications leaders who can navigate complex geopolitical and regulatory environments, lead high-performing teams, influence executive decision-making, and shape Microsoft's public narrative on critical global issues.