Director, Strategic Communications, IT

At WD, Strategic Communications plays a critical role in connecting business strategy, technology innovation, and employee engagement through clear, compelling storytelling.  We are seeking a Director, Strategic Communications to serve as the communications lead supporting the Chief Information Officer and within the IT organization. This role will partner closely with the CIO and IT leadership team to shape strategic narratives, strengthen leadership communications, engage the global IT organization, and bring greater visibility to IT”s role in enabling the business.  The ideal candidate is an experienced communications leader, trusted advisor, and exceptional storyteller who can translate complex business and technology topics into clear, relevant, and engaging communications. They will set the vision and strategy for CIO and IT communications, build the processes needed to deliver it, and bring leaders and partners along through candid counsel, sound judgment and disciplined execution.   As a member of the Strategic Communications team, this role will collaborate closely with executive leaders, Chiefs of Staff, communications colleagues, HR, and cross-functional partners to strengthen leadership effectiveness, organizational alignment, and employee engagement.  Essential Duties and Responsibilities  Executive Communications and Strategic Counsel  • Serve as the primary communications advisor to the CIO, providing strategic counsel and executive communications support.  • Develop and execute an integrated communications strategy that strengthens the CIO’s leadership platform and advances key business and organizational priorities.  • Shape compelling narratives around IT strategy, technology, innovation, AI, and the evolving role of IT in enabling WD’s business.  • Develop executive content and messaging, including presentations, speeches, briefing materials, leadership communications, talking points, video, and multimedia content.  • Support the CIO’s internal and external engagements, including employee forums, leadership meetings, industry events, speaking opportunities, social content, and thought leadership.  • Establish effective planning and preparation processes that ensure key engagements are purposeful, consistent, and impactful.  • Proactively identify opportunities to strengthen the CIO’s visibility and engagement with key audiences.  IT Organizational Communications and Engagement  • Lead the communications strategy within the IT organization, partnering with IT leadership and communications colleagues to drive alignment around its strategy, priorities, culture, and business objectives.  • Partner with the Office of the CIO, including the Chief of Staff, to translate priorities into focused communications plans and drive their execution.  • Shape narratives and communications around IT priorities, transformation, innovation, AI, and the function's role in enabling WD's business.  • Lead communications for IT all-hands, leadership meetings, organizational announcements, employee engagement initiatives, and other key moments.  • Create content that helps IT employees understand the organization’s strategy, priorities, progress, and impact.  • Showcase IT innovation and build excitement within the function around AI, emerging technologies, and new ways of working.  • Develop resources that enable IT leaders to communicate effectively and consistently with their teams.  • Partner with HR and IT leadership to support culture, engagement and organizational effectiveness within the function.  Cross-Functional Leadership and Partnership  • Partner across Strategic Communications to align CIO and IT communications with broader WD narratives and priorities.  • Partner closely with Employee Communications an