Communications - 12-month parental leave cover

The Executive and Employee Communications Leader shapes how the Microsoft Australia and New Zealand President and senior leadership team communicate with employees and external audiences. As a trusted adviser, you will help leaders articulate Microsoft’s strategy, priorities and impact with clarity, consistency and authenticity.

You will lead an integrated executive and employee communications program that strengthens leadership visibility, builds employee understanding and advocacy, and connects Microsoft’s mission and ANZ ambition to everyday work.

A key focus of the role is leading communications for major One Microsoft moments including ANZ Kick-Off, Town Halls, leadership visits and other enterprise-wide experiences. You will ensure these moments form part of a cohesive employee journey that reinforces strategy, culture and business priorities.

Working closely with the Office of the ANZ President, Leadership Team, Communications, HR, Marketing, CELA and business stakeholders, you will help create a connected narrative across executive, employee and external communications.

Communications Strategy and Leadership Counsel

• Develop and execute an integrated executive and employee communications strategy aligned to Microsoft’s mission, ANZ business priorities and communications objectives.
• Serve as a trusted communications adviser to the ANZ President, Chief of Staff and senior leadership team.
• Translate business priorities, transformation initiatives and market developments into clear, relevant and engaging communications.
• Shape communications planning, narratives, audience strategies and editorial rhythms that connect leadership communications, employee moments and business milestones.
• Use employee insights, business signals and communications data to guide engagement priorities and measure impact.

Employee Communications and One Microsoft Moments

• Lead communications strategy, narrative development and delivery for major employee moments across ANZ, including Kick-Off, Town Halls, leadership visits and other enterprise-wide events.
• Create a cohesive employee communications rhythm that builds understanding before key moments and reinforces action, progress and outcomes afterwards.
• Partner across Microsoft organisations to ensure employee experiences reflect the breadth of One Microsoft.
• Engage branch leaders, employee communities and inclusion networks to strengthen participation, relevance and representation.
• Create opportunities for employee voice, recognition, customer stories and visible examples of AI and business transformation.
• Establish clear objectives, audience outcomes and success measures for employee communications and events.

Executive Communications and Social Media

• Develop speeches, presentations, briefing materials, talking points, employee communications, social content and other executive communications.
• Shape and maintain the ANZ President’s leadership narrative, ensuring it is distinctive, relevant and supported by credible proof points.
• Prepare senior leaders for internal and external engagements, including keynotes, panels, employee forums and customer events.
• Lead strategy, editorial planning and content development for executive social channels, including LinkedIn.
• Integrate executive communications and social content with major business priorities, campaigns, customer stories and employee moments.

Manager and Leadership Enablement

• Equip managers and leaders with context, messaging, resources and communications tools that support effective team conversations.
• Develop leadership cascades and communication plans for significant announcements, business milestones and transformation programmes.
• Support leaders to communicate consistently while adapting messages for different audiences and teams.
• Partner with the ANZ Leadership Team to strengthen leadership visibility, communication effectiveness and organisational alignment.

Integrated Communications and Stakeholder Partnership

• Partner closely with External Communications, HR, Marketing, CELA, regional and global teams to deliver a connected communications approach.
• Ensure executive and employee communications are integrated into major business initiatives and campaigns from the outset.
• Support organisational, leadership and people-related communications through disciplined planning and stakeholder alignment.
• Contribute to issues and crisis communications by ensuring employees and leaders receive clear, timely and relevant information.
• Build strong relationships across a complex matrixed organisation and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Program Leadership, Measurement and AI Innovation

• Manage multiple communications programmes simultaneously while maintaining high standards of quality and delivery.
• Lead agency and vendor partnerships across content, design, events, production and executive communications support.
• Establish clear priorities, governance, success measures and resource plans.
• Champion the use of AI to enhance communications planning, content creation, audience insights and operational effectiveness.
• Continuously improve communications practices, channels and processes to increase impact, efficiency and employee engagement.

About You

• You have significant experience across executive, employee, corporate, PR, social or integrated communications.
• You are a strategic communications adviser who can connect communications activity to business priorities and organisational outcomes.
• You are an exceptional writer and storyteller with a proven ability to capture executive voice and simplify complex topics.
• You are comfortable advising senior leaders and constructively challenging stakeholders when needed.
• You can move seamlessly between strategy and execution, from shaping narratives to delivering major employee experiences.
• You bring sound judgement, discretion and resilience when managing sensitive business, leadership or employee matters.
• You thrive in fast-paced, matrixed environments and can effectively prioritise competing demands.
• You are collaborative, proactive and skilled at bringing diverse stakeholders together around shared goals.
• You use audience insights, employee feedback and communications data to improve effectiveness and impact.
• You lead with empathy, integrity, curiosity and a commitment to excellence.

What Success Looks Like

• Employees have a clear understanding of ANZ’s strategy, priorities and progress.
• Major employee moments reinforce a connected and inclusive One Microsoft culture.
• Managers and leaders are equipped to communicate consistently and confidently with their teams.
• The ANZ President and senior leaders are visible, authentic and effective communicators.
• Executive, employee and external communications reinforce a clear and recognisable ANZ narrative.
• Communications are focused, measurable and responsive to employee feedback and business needs.

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. 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 with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.