External Relations Professional

Introduction

At IBM Research, we invent things that matter to the world. Today, we are pioneering the most promising and disruptive technologies that will transform industries and society. Our scientists are charting the future of artificial intelligence, driving breakthroughs like quantum computing that will allow us to process information in entirely new ways, leading global industries in advancing the capabilities of semiconductors, and taking on the most daunting challenges across what we have coined "hard tech.". With more than 3,000 researchers in 12 labs located across six continents, IBM Research is one of the world’s largest and most influential corporate research labs.

Are you passionately up-to-date on emerging and future trends in technology? Can you translate the complex into simple, clear and intuitive communication? Do you act with an urgency that says the work matters, because it does? If yes, let's talk.

We are seeking an extraordinary External Relations Professional with the right experience, enthusiasm, media relationships, and insight to help our team amplify the innovative progress driven by IBM Research - specializing in supporting IBM’s breakthroughs, news and advancements across quantum computing, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and hybrid cloud.

To be successful, you will have a "sleeves rolled up" attitude and an insatiable curiosity to explore, learn, and distill complex scientific breakthroughs into interesting, and relevant storytelling opportunities that align with IBM’s strategy. Working closely with IBM researchers and the broader IBM communications team, you will help to craft strategies to cultivate mutually beneficial relationships with media and influencers, secure media engagements and coverage, develop content, execute news announcements, and plan press events and briefings.

Your Role And Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications for IBM Research, you will play a key role in advancing storytelling initiatives that complement both IBM’s research and corporate PR agendas and promote how IBM’s emerging technology breakthroughs and client collaborations - help drive IBM’s innovation story and pioneer the industry at large. The right candidate must be a self-starter, comfortable with working independently as well as with cross-company and multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Support the IBM Research communications team to drive IBM’s story, mindshare and thought leadership across key technologies through strategic and thoughtful storytelling campaigns, including those sometimes focused on quantum, AI, hybrid cloud, security, and next-generation computing technologies.
• Develop written content, including media plans, messaging, FAQ’s, blogs, pitches, press releases, and other materials to support the communications goals and objectives of IBM Research and the broader marketing, communications and citizenship function.
• Maintain an innate curiosity into the technical milestones of IBM and turn these achievements into compelling external stories that showcase how these breakthroughs hold the potential to transform industries.
• Build trusted and collaborative relationships with IBM researchers and scientists to both serve as a communications advisor and conduct regular story-mining.
• Partner with corporate communications colleagues, geographic communications teams, internal communications experts, social media colleagues, and others across the company to maintain cohesive messaging in support of IBM’s global strategy.
• Collaborate with marketing, content, and social teams to drive communications around integrated campaigns.
• Monitor, measure, and report periodically on media coverage resulting from campaigns and outreach.
• Identify media movements and trends a
  
  

Preferred Education

Bachelor's Degree

Required Technical And Professional Expertise

• 6+ years in technology media relations, marketing communications, or similar experience in-house or in an agency setting.
• Aptitude for planning and executing integrated and scalable media campaigns.
• Hands-on experience building and driving stories with reporters and producers.
• Experience in presenting to and offering strategic guidance to business leaders and executives.
  
  

Preferred Technical And Professional Experience

• Ability to synthesize complex technologies, products, and market challenges.
• Expanded and timely knowledge of emerging and enterprise technologies and key industry players.
• Experience in building out concepts and content with supporting creative, social and internal communications teams.