At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning for international communications and drive impactful campaigns across the globe.
- Company: Join Cisco, a leader in AI-powered technology and global connectivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and endless opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on operational excellence and measurable results.
- Why this job: Shape global narratives and make a real impact in the AI era with a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: 14+ years in communications with strong strategic planning and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
Join the dynamic International Communications function which spans the globe and includes Asia Pacific, Japan, China, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Canada. We are at the forefront of the digital disruption narrative, actively shaping global perceptions and conversations around the transformative power of Cisco technology. You’ll be an integral part of a high-impact team amplifying how Cisco is delivering the critical infrastructure for the AI era.
The Cisco International Communications team is seeking a Director of Strategic Planning to lead the planning, delivery, and measurement of our international communications programs across APJC, EMEA, Latin America, and Canada. Reporting to the VP of International Communications, this role leads a lean, focused team in strategic planning and operations, leveraging data and audience insights to drive campaign prioritisation and performance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Planning & Synthesis: Own the planning process, synthesizing complex business and comms inputs into one clear, unified plan, prioritized for high-impact.
- Cross-Functional Partnering: Partner with corporate and regional comms leads to help shape strategy to ensure international teams have the clarity, assets, and lead time to execute successfully.
- Operational Excellence: Drive planning and delivery with a 'completer-finisher' mindset. Leverage a highly organized approach to build AI-integrated workflows and rigorous frameworks that ensure consistent execution of complex, multi-market initiatives from inception to completion.
- Insights-Led Measurement: Lead the audience insights and measurement capability for the function. Define campaign metrics, track performance against annual KPIs, and translate data into actionable insights that simplify future campaign strategy.
- Team Leadership & Capability Building: Lead, develop, and coach a lean direct team as well as influence virtual teams. Foster a culture of operational discipline, ensuring the team is equipped to simplify the complex and deliver measurable results.
Minimum Qualifications:
- 14+ years in communications, with senior level public relations experience and at least 3 years in strategic planning or operations.
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders with gravitas, executive-ready plans, and exceptional writing skills that articulate clear, meaningful goals.
- Expertise in complex, multi-region communications, with a highly organized approach and meticulous attention to detail.
- Proven track record of building measurement frameworks, defining KPIs, and reporting outcomes to senior leadership.
- Experience managing, coaching, and developing communications professionals at varying career levels.
- Application of AI tools to communications planning, content development, or workflow automation.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strategic prioritization judgment in making trade-offs explicit and defending resource decisions with data, ensuring the team remains focused on the highest-value work.
- Storytelling instincts: Strong instincts for identifying regionally significant stories that hold global relevance, and the ability to see how global campaigns can scale to the regions.
- Advanced AI & tooling innovation: A desire to innovate by optimizing planning and workflow automation and audience insight tools to advance the function’s efficiency and strategic output.
- Matrixed Organization Fluency: Proven success operating within a large, complex global organization, with the ability to build consensus and collaborate effectively across diverse time zones and markets.
Why Cisco? At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds.
Director Strategic Planning, International Communications in Taunton employer: CISCO Systems
Cisco is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, particularly for the role of Strategic Splunk Technical Advisor. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, you will have access to numerous opportunities to enhance your skills while working in a dynamic environment that values customer success and impactful solutions. Located in the vibrant Glasgow area, Cisco offers a unique blend of professional advancement and a supportive community, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director Strategic Planning, International Communications in Taunton
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for CISCO Systems and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like CISCO Systems are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with CISCO Systems on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at CISCO Systems. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Director Strategic Planning, International Communications in Taunton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit CISCO Systems. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of CISCO Systems:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about CISCO Systems’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at CISCO Systems
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at CISCO Systems will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At CISCO Systems, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
