Senior Communications Manager, Washington State Affairs

at  Microsoft

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.
The Public Affairs team is part of Microsoft’s Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs (CELA) organization and part of the broader Communications community of practice. You will join a large, diverse community of professionals focused on innovative communications and have significant opportunities for career growth.
The Public Affairs Team works on issues at the intersection of technology, public policy, and societal impact. We manage external communications and outreach on topics that contribute to the public discussion about the impact of technology around the world and in our own backyard. We use the tools of communications, marketing and public engagement to help support public policy efforts across a wide range of issues impacting the company and the communities we serve. We do this work as part of a larger multi-disciplinary team with communications, public relations, marketing, and government affairs professionals.
As Senior Communications Manager for Washington State Affairs, you will be working on developing a communications strategy for Microsoft’s work locally in the Puget Sound region and Washington State, while coordinating with our communications motions and moments globally. This specific role works closely with the Vice President of Public Affairs, the company’s government affairs team, and the office of the President . As such you’ll be working on technology and public policy issues that are central to the success of the company but also impact audiences on the ground locally.
We have an opportunity to engage with the community on subjects that matter, and you can help bring that story to life in partnership with our senior leaders. As a senior executive communications manager, you’ll help define, build and execute a strategic communications plan grounded in the work of CELA’s experts and leaders. You’ll work in close partnership with executives to help them establish their voice, refine their message, and identify creative ways to connect effectively with diverse audiences in person, online and through interviews and opinion pieces.
The position is based in Redmond, reporting to a Senior Director of Public Affairs.

REQUIRED/MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Finance, or related field AND 4+ years Communications, Marketing Operations, Field Operations, Program Management, Project Management, or related experience
• OR equivalent experience.

ADDITIONAL OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years specialized functional technology experience.
• 4+ years experience supporting senior executives in an executive communications role.
• 3+ years experience working with social media platforms.
• Ability to take multiple, complicated, and disparate inputs from a variety of stakeholders and transform it into simple, clear, succinct, and compelling communication.
• Experience dealing with issues around privacy and technology.
• Experience developing and executing communications and engagement plans and campaigns.
• A focus on details and the ability to manage multiple, high-profile projects and deliverables.
• A blend of editorial, project management and cross-group collaboration skills
• Experience or working knowledge of local WA State policymakers, media relations, and political landscape.
• Experience with organizing in-person events, press conferences, or roundtables with senior executives and officials.
  Communications IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $101,200 - $194,800 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 $130,000 - $213,200 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 April 10, 2024.
  Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations

This is a high-profile role, working in close partnership with the office of the President on important issues. You’ll work to build and execute plans that help advance the company’s community engagement goals and support broader efforts on critical issues. You will work together with executives to craft the narrative and identify the right opportunities for public engagement across speeches, events, published content and earned media opportunities. You’ll have the writing and storytelling skills needed to develop narratives, speeches, OpEds, blog posts, presentation material as needed. You’ll use social media effectively to reach the audiences we care most about and maximize the impact of each opportunity. And you will have the ability to engage with local and regional stakeholders on key issues and initiatives.