Senior PR Manager, Hardware Innovation and AI

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  • Location:
    San Jose, California, US
  • Alternate Location
    Anywhere in the US - west coast preferred
  • Area of Interest
    Marketing and Communications
  • Compensation Range
    187400 USD - 248600 USD
  • Job Type
    Professional
  • Technology Interest
    AI or Artificial Intelligence
  • Job Id
    1444600

The application window is expected to close on: 8/3/25.

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.


Meet the Team

Global Communications is a team of more than 150 best-in-class communications professionals. Our mission is to protect and improve Cisco's reputation through innovative and thought-provoking storytelling, execution excellence and transparency. The PR team is responsible for leading Cisco's corporate and technology PR programs, as well as crafting and delivering clear and compelling narratives that grab the attention of media and influencers.


Your Impact

Join a worldwide technology leader at the forefront of the AI revolution, transforming how organizations connect and protect their infrastructure. We’re seeking a Senior PR Manager to lead the communications strategy for our Common Hardware Group, home to our industry-leading silicon, hardware systems, and optics portfolio. This is your opportunity to shape the narrative of the cutting-edge technologies powering the future of AI, networking, and high-performance infrastructure.

This role is at the forefront of Cisco’s innovation story, positioning our hardware as a critical platform for enabling the next wave of global transformation. From custom silicon breakthroughs to state-of-the-art systems, you’ll play a pivotal role in elevating Cisco’s AI narrative through the lens of hardware innovation, crafting compelling stories, and engaging with top-tier media to amplify our impact.

  • Lead proactive PR strategy and execution for Cisco’s silicon, hardware and optics portfolio and related AI infrastructure storytelling
  • Serve as strategic counsel to senior executives across product, marketing, sales and engineering; collaborate cross-functionally with other communications teams (including analyst relations, digital communications, international communications) to drive integrated storytelling.
  • Build and manage relationships with top-tier tech, trade, and business media.
  • Build and maintain relationships with communications teams at key ecosystem partners, particularly hyperscalers and service providers.
  • Develop messaging, media pitches, Q&As, blog content, and thought leadership materials.
  • Manage PR agency support and optimize team output for quality and scale.

Minimum Qualifications

  • 10+ years in public relations or strategic communications, with focus in enterprise technology and experience with infrastructure technologies and AI.
  • Understanding of AI, networking, data centers, silicon industry trends and the role of hyperscalers and service providers.
  • Excellent writing and editing skills with strong news judgment.
  • Demonstrated success in developing comprehensive communications strategy and plans, media relations and executive communications with experience supporting high-profile product launches and executive platforms.
  • Comfortable operating in a matrixed organization across functions and geographies.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience leading PR for enterprise hardware, semiconductors, or cloud infrastructure, with an AI focus.
  • Prior experience at or with a PR agency serving enterprise tech clients.
  • Proven track record of integrating PR efforts with digital communications, including social, paid media, and event communications to maximize audience reach.

#WeAreCisco

#WeAreCisco where every individual brings their unique skills and perspectives together to pursue our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all.

Our passion is connection—we celebrate our employees’ diverse set of backgrounds and focus on unlocking potential. Cisconians often experience one company, many careers where learning and development are encouraged and supported at every stage. Our technology, tools, and culture pioneered hybrid work trends, allowing all to not only give their best, but be their best.

We understand our outstanding opportunity to bring communities together and at the heart of that is our people. One-third of Cisconians collaborate in our 30 employee resource organizations, called Inclusive Communities, to connect, foster belonging, learn to be informed allies, and make a difference. Dedicated paid time off to volunteer—80 hours each year—allows us to give back to causes we are passionate about, and nearly 86% do!

Our purpose, driven by our people, is what makes us the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Helping our customers reimagine their applications, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals is what we do best. We ensure that every step we take is a step towards a more inclusive future for all. Take your next step and be you, with us!

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees have access to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.

Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days of vacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period. Exempt new hires participate in Cisco’s flexible Vacation Time Off policy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use, but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco’s Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter.  Up to 80 hours of unused sick time will be carried forward from one calendar year to the next such that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is 160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

.75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;

1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

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