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Introduction

IBM is seeking an experienced and motivated external communications professional with the right experience, expertise and enthusiasm to join the Corporate Affairs team and focus on building IBM’s reputation and driving increased market awareness, in Americas.

Based in Austin or New York City, the successful candidate will independently apply their communications skills and best practices to help drive and execute external communications initiatives within US markets and more broadly across the Americas team.

Your role and responsibilities

Working closely with the wider Americas communications team, the successful candidate will collaborate with multiple and diverse internal and external stakeholders including clients, partners, subject matter experts, business leaders, journalists, influencers and employees to help tell the IBM story.

The role requires:

· strong written and verbal communication and social media skills

· business acumen and a growth-oriented, resourceful mindset

· a strong understanding of the technology industry and the Americas media landscape;

· the ability to build communications strategies that reach intended audiences and directly advance pre-determined objectives, while collaborating effectively and serving as a trusted advisor with partners, stakeholders and leadership to determine the best course of action.

The chosen candidate will operate in a flexible and thriving in-office environment, working collaboratively with the marketing, communications, and CSR teams.

Core Responsibilities include:

· Progressing external communications earned media initiatives, client and ecosystem storytelling across the United States and more broadly within the Americas.

• Fostering strong, collaborative relationships to team with colleagues on fast-breaking developments and longer-term market awareness opportunities.

• Understanding the US Media landscape and IBM’s key target audiences to develop and execute, in collaboration with IBM Business Units as well as with outside agencies, effective and impactful external communications strategies, activities and plans.
• Working hand-in-hand with IBM Americas spokespeople and subject matter experts to progress client stories, thought leadership and information that supports external positioning, as well as internal engagement and pride.
• Taking a data driven approach to media relations: Work with colleagues to analyze audiences, engagement and results to understand strategic positioning, key messages and impact of activities. Ability to flexibly and resourcefully evolve activities and tactics where needed.
• Developing a deep understanding of the IBM Americas business and technology portfolio, alongside how we partner with sales and marketing to build external communications initiatives that help drive IBM’s overall strategy and growth initiatives.
• Translating complex technical concepts into engaging content for all audiences.
• Efficiently handling multiple projects, communications and competing priorities with an agile, dynamic prioritization mindset.

Required education

High School Diploma/GED

Preferred education

Bachelor's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• 5-7 years experience in media relations campaign deployment. Proven results in external communications planning and deployment.
• Ability to operate and communicate in complex, multistakeholder, and multicultural environments – which takes effective collaboration with peers at the country, regional, and global levels, to help build, contribute to and execute creative and impactful external communications plans.

• Strong writing and storytelling capability with a passion for breaking down complex topics into consumable, understandable and applicable content, including client-facing content, news releases, media pitches, bylines, visual presentations, digital assets, etc.

• Deep understanding of the United States media landscape, with a focus on high-impact regional media.
• Efficient and effective project manager that can work fast while maintaining high quality and accuracy to meet deadlines.
• Collaborative, highly organized team player who is enthusiastic about partnering across teams.
• Positive can-do attitude with ability to use creativity and judgement when clearing obstacles; innovation around solutions; perseverance to fail fast and see it through success.
• Curious, outcomes-focused learner who quickly develops an understanding of a wide range of subjects, and understands and applies feedback.

• Creative thinker who innovates and can develop and execute new, effective ways of communicating.Knowledgeable about broader external communications trends and how different mediums are evolving.

• Self-Starter / Entrepreneurial mindset. Proactively identifying new opportunities and risks, and independently determining and advising on best communications approaches.

Growth minded and willing to adjust ways of working and communication approaches based on current business needs and results.

Excellent verbal and written English communications skills

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Direct experience with enterprise technology companies.
• Strong cross-US media network
• Fast, adaptable writer who is driven by a 24-hour turnaround mentality.
• Media editorial planning and execution.
• Experience with various tools and approaches to communications
• Agility and resilience communicating in a rapidly evolving environment.
• Strategic communication and project management skills and ability to work on simultaneous high visibility projects.
• Additional background in Executive and Social Media communications is an asset.
• Preferred education: Bachelor's Degree. Consideration will be given to candidates with proven experience.
• Spanish, Portugese or French language skills are an asset. .