Cross Communications Leader – Saudi Arabia

Introduction
At IBM, work is more than a job - it's a calling: To build. To design. To
code. To consult. To think along with clients and sell. To make markets. To
invent. To collaborate. Not just to do something better, but to attempt things
you've never thought possible. Are you ready to lead in this new era of
technology and solve some of the world's most challenging problems? If so,
lets talk.

Your Role and Responsibilities
We are looking for a seasoned, strategic cross Communications Leader to join
our team in Saudi Arabia. This role focuses on creating integrated campaigns
to help position IBM 's brand locally, aid business growth, and foster
positive employee engagement.

The Communications function has an important role to play in helping to
achieve IBM's purpose to create long-term value for our clients and society.
We work with the business to promote our services and solutions, bring our
purpose to life for our people and our clients, and build commercial value for
IBM in the market. We work with social sectors and local initiatives
supporting untapped talent to have access to edge skills through our CSR
programs.

As a senior member of the IBM MEA Communications team, the ideal candidate
will have experience across all the elements of the PR mix and will be a
strategic media advisor, with the gravitas, communications and advisory skills
to counsel and profile senior stakeholders on strategic communications
priorities. The individual is confident, skilled, and adept at counselling
senior leaders, and managing complexity independently.

This role requires creativity, thought leadership and a seasoned storyteller,
combined with a growth mindset to embrace continuous learning and innovating
on approaches.

Role and Responsibilities

Communications

• Create and drive strategic integrated communications campaigns that drive business impact, momentum and resonate locally.


• Leverage corporate level themes with IBM priorities to develop a credible voice in the market in support of IBM's business objectives across Saudi Arabia.


• Develop and manage relationships with key journalists, analysts and influencers primarily focused on Saudi business media. Work closely with regional media to ensure holistic and integrated messaging about IBM's offerings and services.


• Work closely with the client account teams to increase proactive win announcements and client references to drive a strong position for IBM.


• Identify and pitch local stories to media and influencers, localize global initiatives.


• Develop and leverage relationships with local media, writing media releases, bylines, speeches and preparatory materials, briefing executive spokespeople, supervising executive interviews, and organizing media events.

Other Responsibilities

• Manage the local PR agency relationship in Saudi Arabia, including maximizing the ROI of investments in agency activities in Saudi.


• Manage budget, expenses, and business controls properly, and achieve planned targets and results.


• Maintaining strong personal relationships with key media, analysts and influencers in Saudi Arabia.


• Ensure local compliance with IBM Brand/logo guidelines and processes.


• Lead local issues management in close collaboration with the business teams to protect IBM's reputation in the market.

You will be measured on:

• Positive, impactful IBM presence achieved in target business and industry media across channels.


• Positive research reports and briefings by analysts.


• Strong writing and critical thinking to pull together plans, PR material or other things as needed.


• An ability to work with complex, technical or specialist content.


• A strong team player, yet confident driver of initiatives who thinks laterally.

Required Skills and Experience

• ‎10+ years communications experience from in-house or PR agency roles.


• Advanced media relations skills and ability to draft clear, concise and high-quality media materials.


• Experience on implementing partnerships and alliances with Non-profit sector.


• Very strong written and spoken English and Arabic capabilities are essential.


• Ability to work with media contacts in client organizations.


• Broad understanding of Saudi business, social and cultural issues, and ability to translate IBM global themes/messages into locally relevant material.


• Familiarity with information technology, its use in business transformation and the ITC sector.


• Strong, self-directed project management.


• Familiarity with working in a global enterprise will be a significant advantage.


• Business Communications, Public Relations or Journalism qualifications preferred.

Required Technical and Professional Expertise
* ‎10+ years communications experience from in-house or PR agency roles.
* Advanced media relations skills and ability to draft clear, concise and high-quality media materials.
* Experience on implementing partnerships and alliances with Non-profit sector.
* Very strong written and spoken English and Arabic capabilities are essential.
* Ability to work with media contacts in client organizations.
* Broad understanding of Saudi business, social and cultural issues, and ability to translate IBM global themes/messages into locally relevant material.
* Familiarity with information technology, its use in business transformation and the ITC sector.
* Strong, self-directed project management.
* Familiarity with working in a global enterprise will be a significant advantage.
* Business Communications, Public Relations or Journalism qualifications preferred.

Preferred Technical and Professional Expertise
N/A

About Business Unit
IBM Corporate Headquarters (CHQ) team represents a variety of functions such
as marketing, finance, legal, operations, HR, and more, all working together
to solve some of the world's most complex problems, help our clients achieve
success and build collaborative work environments for IBMers.

Your Life @ IBM
Are you craving to learn more? Prepared to solve some of the world's most
unique challenges? And ready to shape the future for millions of people? If
so, then it's time to join us, express your individuality, unleash your
curiosity and discover new possibilities.

Every IBMer, and potential ones like yourself, has a voice, carves their own
path, and uses their expertise to help co-create and add to our story.
Together, we have the power to make meaningful change - to alter the fabric
of our clients, of society and IBM itself, to create a truly positive impact
and make the world work better for everyone.

It's time to define your career.

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 ‎50 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.

Location Statement
For additional information about location requirements, please discuss with
the recruiter following submission of your application.

Being You @ IBM
IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal
opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or
expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy,
disability, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also
committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding
citizenship and immigration status.