PR & Communications Manager

Job content

Microsoft is on a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As part of Microsoft’s Global Communications team, you will join a group of professionals focused on telling stories that help people fall in love with Microsoft and our life-changing innovations that impact billions of lives around the world. You can help us to achieve our mission.

Microsoft Switzerland, the national subsidiary of the global technology company Microsoft, was founded over 30 years ago. We have locations in The Circle at Zurich Airport as well as in Bern and Geneva. From there we support our local customers and partners, spanning large companies, SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), start-ups, schools, and educational institutions as well as the public sector in their digital transformation. A strong partner network in Switzerland is an integral part of our business.

A very exciting task awaits you in one of the world’s leading technology companies. In your role as Communications and PR Manager, you have space for creativity combined with a high degree of autonomy and personal accountability. Microsoft Switzerland lives and promotes flexible forms of work.

Responsibilities

As our Communications and PR Manager for Switzerland, you will report to the Communications Lead for Microsoft Switzerland and Austria and be responsible for advancing and protecting the image and reputation of Microsoft both externally and internally. You will be part of the Global Media Relations team, collaborate across teams to create and execute the PR & Communications country plan, to tell stories in new and fresh ways that help generate thought leadership and positive perception toward Microsoft among key stakeholders. You will also:

• Build, develop and strengthen the company’s brand and reputation in the Swiss market, leveraging Microsoft’s global vision and communication strategy. Land and amplify relevant ‘key news moments’ in close cooperation with our US HQ (headquarters), Regional and Area Comms teams. Manage news cycles and proactively identify and flag trends that may impact Microsoft’s reputation in Switzerland and globally.
• Expand company reach to new audiences beyond traditional tech media by building and managing influencer relationships. Build and maintain relationships with local media and influencers and ensure that their concerns and inquiries are answered competently and promptly.
• Partnering with the marketing team, leverage local customers and third-party voices to drive local relevance and land campaigns locally across owned and earned channels. Create original storytelling, messaging, and activities to drive impact and engagement and leverage multiple channels to deliver creative visual storytelling and other innovative digital experiences, largely around customer voices.
• Advise and support the leadership team in all matters of external communication and media work, including media training, coaching and support for public appearances.
• Deliver scalable corporate communications campaigns and storytelling in local market that align to Comms priorities. Organize media events, manage external agencies.
• Inform and engage internal audiences through employee and executive communications strategies and tactics, and act as trusted advisor to provide executive support and counsel
• Serve as a corporate spokesperson, as needed; and ensure we have a strong bench of trained spokespeople.  
  
  

If you are passionate about communications and looking for an exciting opportunity to grow and have impact, we would love to hear from you. 

Qualifications

• You have extensive PR, Communications and Media Relations experience, or you are coming from an integrated marketing background in a corporate environment, at an agency or in a media company, with a minimum of several years of experience in a similar role.
• You are familiar with the Swiss media landscape and the most important local actors and have a corresponding network.
• You master all communication tools and channels (including social media) with internal and external stakeholders, exchanging information and networking.
• You have a high affinity for technology and have already gained experience in the ICT industry. Additional experience in the consumer environment is an advantage.
• You think entrepreneurially and act with great personal responsibility.
• You enjoy working in a team or across the board with other people inside and outside the company and are a strong collaborator across all of the stakeholder groups.
• You have a strong command of German and English orally and in writing; Knowledge of French is a great advantage.
• You make thoughtful decisions under pressure and are very resilient.
• Awareness of and experience in dealing with government and public affairs issues is an advantage.
• You will have degree in marketing, communications, or a business-related subject
  
  

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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.