Director of Communications (Product & Tech)

What you'll do

• You will report to the GM of Global Product & Tech Communications and partner with leadership and other teams to develop and deliver effective external communications strategies for Xero's small business products.
• You will serve as a trusted communications partner to the Product and Product Marketing teams, helping to define a strong position in the media and inform a competitive communications plan.
• You will proactively secure positive media coverage for Xero's small business offerings across business, tech, consumer, and trade press.
• You will lead the development of the small business narrative for Xero's major events, including XeroCon and regional product roadshows.
• You will collaborate closely with other teams, including Corporate Communications, Social Media, and Marketing, to ensure messaging and goals are aligned across all channels.
• You will drive Xero's overarching AI narrative and other thought leadership initiatives by leveraging product communications support.
• You will manage and mentor a global team, fostering a strategic partner approach to communications and ensuring positive message pull-through across all channels.
• You will partner with Xero's Economist and Small Business Insights team to identify and pitch impactful stories to the media, leading to a clear external articulation of Xero’s product narrative and positive sentiment from customers, partners, and media.

What you'll bring with you

• A solid understanding of product development and marketing principles, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex technical concepts into compelling narratives.
• Seven or more years of experience in product or technology communications, with the ability to comfortably drive results in both traditional and new media channels.
• A passion for the customer experience, paired with the ability to multitask and quickly prioritize projects in a global organisation.
• Exceptional writing skills, with a customer-centric approach, and a track record of developing and securing data-driven press stories.
• Experience managing both in-house communications teams and external PR agencies.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse functions and navigate areas of conflict in a proactive way.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the capability to act as a brand ambassador.
• A bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field is a key requirement, with experience in B2B enterprise/SaaS software, fintech, or financial services being a plus.