Public Relations, Director - Skype Job

Public Relations, Director - Skype Job

Job Category:Marketing
Location:Palo Alto, CA, US
Job ID:8
Division:Skype


The Skype Division is looking for a communications professional to lead the consumer public relations program for Skype. This individual plays a critical role in shaping the way Skype is perceived by key audiences around the globe. This role is responsible for improving and defending Skype''s reputation, and is accountable for driving positive PR outcomes in mainstream consumer media globally.

They will be responsible for the development, execution and measurement of all consumer-driven PR communications strategies, initiatives and tactics; drives the day-to-day activities; and ensures that metrics/results capture the goals and effectiveness of all campaigns and programs. The Director is responsible for fostering collaboration with internal stakeholders and serves as the primary interface between Skype''s internal clients and external resources.

This person will be involved in all stages of the product communications initiatives -- from concept formulation and message development and senior strategic counsel to execution and results-oriented evaluation. S/he must work well under deadlines and understand budget constraints. Candidate must be a self-starter who works well both independently and as part of a team. Natural affinity for social media and deep understanding social networking media landscape is a plus, as is previous experience in launching consumer products. The ideal candidate will have either managed an agency with successful results and/or represented a top global consumer brand from the agency side and have demonstrated successes in a cross-functional role.

Skype is software that enables the world''s conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, to send instant messages and to share files with other Skype users. Every day, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles.

The successful candidate will be a leader in one of the most interesting technology organizations today. He or she must have a hearty appetite for growth and proven success managing PR or marketing programs. Clear, concise communication skills, particularly written communication, are a must. This person must be adept with current market trends and social media channels, have a strong network of media and industry contacts; as well as the ability to work gracefully with senior executives, engineers, product teams, marketing and business units, locally and internationally.

Success will be measured by improvements in customer and stakeholder perceptions, and the ability to drive high-quality, perception-changing coverage across traditional media and social media channels.

Here''s what you''d be doing:
- Lead a world-class Consumer Public Relations discipline across Skype
- Create and activate creative consumer campaign concepts that map to business objectives while creating media coverage and driving consumer usage; lead concept creation and execution including traditional media and social channels; clearly establish measurement objectives for each initiative
- Provide strategic direction and develop annual plan that ladders up to business objectives
- Manage communications around new products and regular updates and improvements to Skype; develop and execute the strategy for breaking through where it matters
- Develop/manage regional PR outreach programs in key markets globally that support Skype''s new products and Business Group initiatives
- Manage/oversee a digital PR outreach program and deliver positive coverage and improved influencer perceptions
- Provide PR counsel and messaging and positioning guidance to your marketing counterparts
- Integrate PR into marketing and advertising campaigns
- Keep a pulse on industry, audience trends, and stories.
- Lead spokesperson development and act as a spokesperson yourself on behalf of Skype
- Collaborate with other Microsoft divisions and the rest of the Skype marketing and PR teams to develop and execute cross-company PR initiatives and campaigns; fosters and maintain productive relationships with internal stakeholder groups
- Manage external agency resources to drive results; direct agency resources and monitor for quality control; provide direct and timely feedback; oversee development of PR plans and monitor and measure agency deliverables against goals and objectives
- Demonstrate a recognized ability to motivate and manage cross-functional team members; Responsible for the performance, feedback and development of regional consumer PR managers

Here''s what we''re seeking:
- Communications sage with stellar storytelling skills
- A minimum of 12 years of experience in the Consumer Public Relations/Buzz Marketing and Consumer Communications field, as well as collaborating, directing and/or managing a team and work groups
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic and fast-changing environment
- Ability to partner and influence other teams successfully
- Excellent communications, writing and project management skills
- Relevant public relations agency or consumer/brand experience and strong strategic acumen
- Demonstrated track record of building both corporate brand and product brand presence through innovative and effective PR and Buzz Marketing/Social media campaigns; increase brand/product awareness and positive consumer perceptions; achieve excellent results/ROI
- Ability to drive the creation and execution of Consumer PR and Buzz Marketing strategies, implement seamlessly, motivate other team members, and confidently interact with executives and other senior levels of the organization in order to influence, persuade and gain support, input and approvals
- Superior project management skills and strengths in managing multiple projects/deadlines; ability to set priorities and be flexible in changing environments; goal orientation with a strong bias toward action and tangible results
- Solid knowledge of and relationships with consumer media (i.e., major media print and broadcast networks - industry/trade, business, and consumer outlets) and well-developed skills in building and maintaining media relationships, especially strong contacts at print, online and broadcast outlets
- Experience managing teams and working cross-functionally, managing external marketing partners (e.g., PR agency), and internal stakeholders/clients. Maintains a respectful and professional attitude towards all coworkers and presents a consistent high level of enthusiasm for Skype and all its partners
- Experience with streamlining PR processes to ensure innovative ideation, productivity, and effectiveness across functional teams
- Expertise in writing and editing PR/media targeted messages; ability to drive message consistencies across a comprehensive set of communication vehicles/tools
- Strong interpersonal and customer/client service skills; diplomatic, collaborative, and responsive
- Superior communication and presentation skills and media savvy; confident and articulate
- Bachelor''s degree in public relations, communications, journalism or marketing required or equivalent work experience
- Deep experience with integrated marketing communications, including messaging and positioning proficiency
- Passion for technology, delivering big results and conquering new terrain (not necessarily in that order)
- Deep understanding of the dynamics of the consumer / consumer tech industry. Telecom industry experience is a plus.
- Strong digital marketing skills and experience working within a matrixed organization
- No ego - we are a small, dynamic team and everyone pitches in to get the job done
- Ability to laugh and have fun while working hard and delivering epic results

Essential Experience/Competencies
- Leadership of subsidiary or country Public Relations team
- Leadership of regional Public Relations team desirable but not essential
- Proven strength as a manager and leader
- Proven success in working with senior leaders
- Proven communications and business leadership capabilities
- Possess a high degree of integrity and sense of confidentiality
- Demonstrate managerial maturity and good judgment at all times
- Building and maintaining internal and external relationships is critical to this position

Technical/Functional Skills
- Strong communications competencies: communications sage; story-telling; crisis management; digital and social media skills
- Broader marketing and/or background desirable but not essential
- Corporate Affairs or Customer Service Relations experience desirable but not essential