External Relations Professional, Government, U.S.

IBM

IBM

Tokyo, Japan · Washington, DC, USA

Posted on May 9, 2026
Introduction

For over a century, IBM has been at the forefront of technological innovation. Our mission is to be a catalyst that makes the world work better — through business ethics, environmental commitment, and responsible technology.

Our Marketing, Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility (MCC) team tells that story — defining IBM's brand, capturing the market's attention, and articulating our point of view for clients, partners, media, and IBMers around the world.

Your role and responsibilities

External communications at IBM is not about operating in silos – it’s about shaping how the company shows up across its most important audiences, including policymakers, government agencies and clients, media, and industry partners. It requires understanding the business environment in which IBM operates – how it creates value, competes, and wins – its goals, differentiators, clients, and competitive position – and translating that into clear, credible narratives that resonate externally.

This role sits at the intersection of government, business, policy, and high-profile issues, helping shape how market dynamics, policies and industry trends influence IBM’s ability to grow and lead.

As a member of IBM’s Global Issues and Government Communications team, you will support the development and execution of communications strategies that position IBM as a trusted partner to government and a leader in critical technology areas such as AI, quantum computing, cybersecurity, and hybrid cloud. You will also be expected to apply AI tools in your day to day work, enhancing how you develop insights, shape and deliver high-impact messaging, and operate with speed and precision.

This is a hands on role for someone who wants to operate at the center of government, business, policy, and high-profile issues, and who can connect the dots between Washington, the marketplace, and IBM’s broader narrative.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

  • Support IBM’s external narrative. Contribute to the development and execution of communications strategies across government business, policy, and corporate priorities – reviewing and drafting messaging, talking points, media materials, and digital content that translate complex issues into clear, business aligned stories.
  • Operate across the IBM ecosystem. Partner closely with GRA, Corporate Affairs, marketing, business units, and R&D to ensure IBM’s external messaging to government stakeholders is aligned, consistent, and responsive to today’s dynamic policy and regulatory environment, market dynamics, and emerging issues.
  • Support media engagement. Bring an informed view of the Washington media landscape –tracking reporters, outlets, narratives, government business activities, and policy developments across agencies and Capitol Hill – to help identify angles, contribute to storylines, and inform engagement with key media.
  • Build thought leadership. Contribute to longer term storytelling that positions key IBM government business and public policy executives and the company as credible voices on technology, innovation, and the policy and government business environment.
  • Support high visibility issues. Assist with communications around fast moving developments – particularly where policy, government business, and reputation intersect – working with the Issues and Crisis team to monitor key media, draft materials and backgrounders, and help drive timely responses and consistent messaging.
  • Stay ahead of the landscape. Track policy, government, business, and regulatory developments, and media coverage, identifying emerging risks and opportunities and connecting them to IBM’s business priorities and external positioning.
  • Learn and apply AI as a strategic tool. Use AI tools as part of your daily workflow to research, draft, refine, and strengthen communications – while applying judgment to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with IBM’s voice and objectives.
  • Think beyond traditional audiences and channels. Bring creative ideas to how IBM shows up externally – across earned, owned, social and emerging platforms – to reach key audiences and third-party stakeholders where they are.
Required education
None
Preferred education
None
Required technical and professional expertise
  • 2–4 years of experience in DC-based corporate communications, public affairs, media relations, or related field.
  • Exceptional writing and editing skills, with strong focus on clarity, impact and precision.
  • Experience translating complex topics into clear, audience focused messaging.
  • Strong interest in the intersection of technology, public policy, government, and business.
  • Ability to learn quickly and grow in a fast paced, high visibility environment.
  • Experience using AI tools to enhance productivity, content development, and strategic thinking
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment on sensitive or high visibility topics, with guidance.
  • Collaborative mindset and ability to work across diverse teams.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Preferred technical and professional experience
  • Experience supporting DC-based media relations, issues management, or high visibility external moments.
  • Familiarity with public policy, government stakeholders, and/or regulated industries.
  • Understanding of technology areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum, or cloud.
  • Experience supporting DC-based executive communications or thought leadership.
  • Exposure to DC-focused social and digital communications strategies.

Note: No specific education requirement — relevant experience is what counts.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:

- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being

- Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs

- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law

- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals

- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences

We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.

IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.

See more open positions at IBM