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IBM is seeking an experienced External Relations Professional with the right experience, expertise and enthusiasm to join the Corporate Affairs team and focus on building IBM’s reputation and voice across the UK and Ireland.
The successful candidate will be responsible for developing external communications strategies, executing campaigns and driving conversations with key internal and external stakeholders including media, analysts, influencers, subject matter experts, business leaders and more. They will play a key role in driving awareness of IBM’s strategic priorities that support business growth while reinforcing our leadership in the tech industry.
Core responsibilities include:
- Fostering strong, collaborative relationships with colleagues to team on fast-breaking developments and longer-term market awareness opportunities.
- Understanding the UKI media landscape and IBM’s key target audiences to develop and execute effective external communications strategies, activities and plans, in collaboration with IBM business leaders as well as with outside agencies.
- Working hand-in-hand with IBM UKI 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: working with colleagues to analyse audiences, strategies, engagement and results to understand strategic positioning, key messages and impact of activities. Ability to flex and evolve activities and tactics where needed.
- Developing an understanding of the IBM UKI business portfolio, alongside how we partner with sales and marketing to build external communications initiatives that help drive IBM’s overall strategy and growth initiatives.
- Strong written and verbal communication and social media skills.
- Proven experience of working across UKI media with contacts in national and trade publications.
- Strong experience in media relations with cross-UKI media network. Proven results in external communications planning and execution with the ability to communicate in a rapidly evolving environment.
- A nose for news. Finding, developing and launching great stories.
- The ability to build communications strategies that reach intended audiences and directly advance objectives, while collaborating effectively and serving as a trusted advisor with partners, stakeholders and leadership.
- Ability to operate in complex environments – including effective collaboration with peers at the country, regional, and global levels, to help build, contribute to and execute creative external communications plans.
- Strategic communication and project management skills and ability to work on simultaneous high visibility projects.
- 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.
- 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.
- Growth minded and willing to adjust ways of working and communication approaches based on current business needs and results.