Director, Influencer Relations

Job Description

Reporting to the VP of Digital Communications, the Director of Influencer Relations will be responsible for managing the day-to-day strategy and execution of influencer and social ambassador campaigns and content. This role requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of social media platforms, content creation, influencer relations, and reputation management. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of creative storytelling, driving engagement, increasing brand awareness, and delivering measurable results through influencer and social ambassador collaborations.

What You'll Do

1. Strategy Development and Execution:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive influencer relations and social ambassador strategy in partnership with critical business partners (e.g. AR, Digital Communications, PR, Marketing, etc.)

2. Content Creation and Management:

• Collaborate with internal teams, external agencies, influencers, and employee ambassadors to produce creative, social first campaigns optimized for audience engagement and impact.
• Ensure consistent storytelling in brand voice, messaging, and visual identity across all channels.

3. Influencer Relations:

• Identify, vet, and build relationships with influencers and social ambassadors to elevate brand messaging and content with key target audiences.
• Develop and manage innovative opportunities for influencer integrations and social campaigns, including sponsorships, paid media, and executive enablement to drive audience engagement.

4. Sponsorship Integration:

• Partner with Cisco Marketing to support and expand the impact of Cisco’s major sports sponsorships across Global Comms.
• Drive new creative social/digital first content initiatives that combine influencer platforms, executive thought leadership and sponsorships to expand storytelling opportunities.

4. Insights & Analytics:

• Track, analyze, and report on key performance metrics to measure the effectiveness of social content and influencer campaigns.
• Use data-driven insights to optimize strategies and improve ROI.
• Provide regular updates to senior leadership on influencer relations and social advocacy impact and performance.
• Identify core trends in which Cisco can engage and develop global Influencer briefing inspiration for markets.

5. Team Leadership and Collaboration:

• Lead and mentor a team of social advocacy and influencer relations professionals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including PR, AR, and marketing to develop compelling initiatives.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, best practices, and emerging technology to continuously innovate and improve storytelling strategies and audience engagement.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in social media management, influencer marketing, or related roles.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful social media and influencer marketing strategies.
• Strong understanding of social media platforms, analytics tools, and emerging trends.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Creative thinker with the ability to generate innovative ideas and solutions.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to lead a high performing team and to partner well with others
• Excellent communicator, creative problem solver, risk-taker, innovative thinker, consensus builder (as needed), motivator, assertive leader
• A history of building highly collaborative relationships across the business, with a focus on creating a shared, results-driven mission with internal and external stakeholders.

Why Cisco?

#WeAreCisco. We are all unique, but collectively we bring our talents to work as a team, to develop innovative technology and power a more inclusive, digital future for everyone. How do we do it? Well, for starters – with people like you!

Nearly every internet connection around the world touches Cisco. We’re the Internet’s optimists. Our technology makes sure the data traveling at light speed across connections does so securely, yet it’s not what we make but what we make happen which marks us out. We’re helping those who work in the health service to connect with patients and each other; schools, colleges, and universities to teach in even the most challenging of times. We’re helping businesses of all shapes and sizes to connect with their employees and customers in new ways, providing people with access to the digital skills they need and connecting the most remote parts of the world – whether through 5G, or otherwise.

We tackle whatever challenges come our way. We have each other’s backs, we recognize our accomplishments, and we grow together. We celebrate and support one another – from big and small things in life to big career moments. And giving back is in our DNA (we get 10 days off each year to do just that).

We know that powering an inclusive future starts with us. Because without diversity and a dedication to equality, there is no moving forward. Our 30 Inclusive Communities, that bring people together around commonalities or passions, are leading the way. Together we’re committed to learning, listening, caring for our communities, whilst supporting the most vulnerable with a collective effort to make this world a better place either with technology, or through our actions.

So, you have colorful hair? Don’t care. Tattoos? Show off your ink. Like polka dots? That’s cool. Pop culture geek? Many of us are. Passion for technology and world changing? Be you, with us! #WeAreCisco