Director, Editorial Strategy

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 08/07/2026Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received. Remote United States- West Coast PreferredMeet the TeamWe're building the future of Digital Communications. Cisco is transforming its Digital Communications organization into a world-class, AI-native owned media organization, combining the discipline of a newsroom, the innovation of a lab, the creativity of a studio, the intelligence of a performance analytics team, and the speed of AI. Our ambition isn't simply to keep pace with the communications industry; we're building the blueprint we believe others will benchmark against. At the heart of that transformation is Editorial Strategy. This newly created function serves as the front door for all owned storytelling. It sets the editorial agenda, leads story prioritization, establishes governance, and creates the systems that enable our organization to operate like a modern media company. If you're energized by building something from the ground up, not just managing an existing program—this is a rare opportunity to shape how one of the world's most recognized technology brands tells its story. What You'll BuildAs Director, Editorial Strategy, you'll build and lead Cisco's editorial strategy function. You'll establish Editorial Strategy as the single intake point for all owned storytelling, connecting business priorities, audience insights, editorial judgment, and channel strategy into one integrated editorial roadmap. Rather than reacting to content requests, you'll shape the stories Cisco chooses to tell. You'll determine where we invest editorial resources, how stories fit together across channels, and how we consistently deliver content that earns attention, builds trust, and advances Cisco's reputation. You'll lead editorial strategy across Story Lab, the Cisco Newsroom, blogs, and future owned media experiences while partnering closely with leaders across Content Studio, Visual Storytelling, Digital Channels, Executive Communications, Product Communications, Public Relations, Analyst Relations, and the broader Global Communications organization. Most importantly, you'll build the editorial planning processes, governance, and operating model that enable Cisco to move faster without sacrificing quality. This isn't simply an editorial leadership role. It's an opportunity to build the editorial engine behind one of the world's most respected technology brands. What You'll DoOwn Cisco's Editorial StrategyDevelop and own Cisco's editorial strategy, translating business priorities into a proactive editorial agenda. Define what stories Cisco tells, and just as importantly, what it doesn't. Lead the editorial direction for Story Lab, the Cisco Newsroom, blogs, and future owned media experiences. Establish a cohesive editorial roadmap that aligns business priorities with audience needs. Lead Editorial Planning & PrioritizationBuild and lead annual, quarterly, monthly, and sprint-based editorial planning. Establish Editorial Strategy as the single intake point for all owned storytelling requests. Evaluate and prioritize opportunities based on strategic value, audience relevance, editorial quality, and available capacity. Create transparency around priorities, tradeoffs, and resource allocation. Build Editorial GovernanceDesign Cisco's editorial governance framework and operating model. Partner with Visual Storytelling to establish shared editorial and creative standards across every owned storytelling experience. Develop planning processes, quality standards, and decision-making frameworks that improve consistency while increasing speed. Ensure every story reflects Cisco's editorial standards, audience needs, and business priorities. Build an AI-Native Editorial OrganizationReimagine editorial workflows using AI. Embed AI across planning, ideation, research, drafting, production, and measurement while maintaining strong editorial judgment. Identify opportunities to increase efficiency, unlock creativity, and improve editorial decision-making through AI. Build and Lead a High-Performing TeamLead and develop a growing editorial organization, including: Editorial Planning & Enablement Editorial Operations & Intake Newsroom & Blogs Create a culture grounded in editorial excellence, experimentation, accountability, curiosity, and continuous improvement. Partner Across Global CommunicationsPartner closely with leaders across: Content Studio Visual Storytelling Digital Channels Executive Communications Public Relations Analyst Relations Product Communications Employee Communications Ensure Cisco speaks with one integrated editorial voice across every owned channel. Minimum Qualifications12+ years of experience leading editorial strategy, digital publishing, journalism, owned media, enterprise content, or related disciplines. Proven success building editorial planning processes, governance models, and operating frameworks. Exceptional editorial judgment and storytelling instincts. Experience leading cross-functional initiatives within complex, matrixed organizations. Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior leaders and build alignment across functions. Experience hiring, coaching, and developing high-performing teams. Demonstrated success leading organizational transformation and operational change. Preferred QualificationsExperience working in a modern newsroom, digital publisher, media company, or owned media organization. Experience building or scaling editorial or owned media functions. Experience implementing AI-enabled editorial workflows. Strong understanding of audience-first storytelling, digital publishing, SEO, newsletters, analytics, and emerging content platforms. Experience leading enterprise-wide content transformation initiatives. Passion for experimentation, innovation, and continuous improvement. Success in Your First YearWithin your first 12 months, you will: Establish Editorial Strategy as the trusted front door for all owned storytelling. Launch a transparent editorial planning and prioritization process that improves strategic focus and operational clarity. Build governance that improves both quality and speed across every owned channel. Shift the organization from reactive content production to proactive, audience-first storytelling. Strengthen Story Lab, the Cisco Newsroom, and blogs as flagship owned media destinations. Embed AI into editorial workflows to improve efficiency and unlock new creative possibilities. Help establish Cisco as the benchmark for owned media in enterprise technology. Why This Role MattersEvery great media organization starts with a strong editorial function. At Cisco, Editorial Strategy sits at the center of our Digital Communications operating model. It ensures we're telling the right stories, at the right time, for the right audiences—and that every piece of owned storytelling reflects the quality, consistency, and ambition of our brand. This role isn't simply leading an editorial team. It's building the editorial strategy function that will define the future of Digital Communications at Cisco. Why Cisco? At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact i