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
Passionate about forging relationships among cross-functional teams – and have deep expertise in the creative process? Get excited by creating environments within which Creative teams can experiment and innovate while motivating more analytical groups along the journey? Live for evolving ideas into actions and experiences?

The IBM Blue Studio (IBM’s internal creative and production capability) seeks Engagement Partners who not only will guide both IBM internal teams and external agencies, collaborators, and partners with operational excellence, but also foster trust, excitement, and partnership throughout the creative process. They will be the face of the IBM Blue Studio both internally and externally and expand the influence and impact of our organization. While being an ambassador for the advancement of the IBM brand, this professional will be personally responsible for leading multiple strategic programs (and teams) alongside Creative Directors both practical and progressive in nature. This work may include the design of brand identity, visual and verbal expression, concept creation, environments, exhibitions, communications, experiences, etc.

The IBM Blue Studio is responsible for the sophistication and strategic evolution and expression of the IBM brand and sub-brands across every experience and encounter, internally and externally. We represent and support all IBM businesses horizontally and vertically. Our work crosses nearly every category of output: research and strategy, communications and content development, symbology and systems, digital and physical experiences, tools and training. Our goal is to maintain modernity, tangibility and understanding of the IBM brand in the world.

The IBM Blue Studio Engagement Partner is the lifeline and spirit of the IBM Blue Studio - a vital role connecting strategic Marketing with Creative Execution Teams. Those Creative Execution teams include the IBM Blue Studio itself, and external Agency Partners. The role covers 4 key tenets, 1. Strategic Partner, 2. External Agency Management, 3. Team Champion, and 4. Operational Excellence.

Strategic Partner

• Understands (in detail) the overall Marketing and Sales strategy, and understands how it applies to their area of responsibility.
• Challenges the intent of inbound requests to ensure they align with that Marketing and Sales strategy.
• Guides thought leadership on what offerings and solutions from the IBM Blue Studio and External Partners best suit business objectives.
• Understands the service offerings and products within their assigned business area, and can articulate their value proposition.

External Agency Partner Engagement and Management

• Understands service offerings (strengths and weaknesses) of each Agency Partner to help connect work with the right service provider.
• Hosts and guides Agency briefing sessions, ensuring the appropriate SMEs are present to ensure a clear understanding of the ask / requirements are socialized.
• Ensures appropriate SOWs are received from Agency Partners, and reviews them for compliance, structural logic, costs, and value.
• Drives procurement process to gain approvals for Agency SOWs, ensuring POs are in place prior to work kick off.
• Hosts kickoff of Agency work with all appropriate SME’s and IBM Blue Studio Directional Leads.
• Helps guide and steer development of the work (with the appropriate IBM SME’s and IBM Blue Studio Directional Leads) to ensure it meets the business objectives.

Execution Team Champion

• Understands what work is flowing through the IBM Blue Studio and External Agency teams, and acts as a voice to highlight any specific concerns or issues back to broader Marketing teams.
• Acts as a champion for the team ensuring their needs are met, and that they are positioned correctly within any conversation.
• Helps the team evolve work processes (based on their guidance).
• Collaborates with Practice Leadership within the IBM Blue Studio to grow / flex teams when necessary (based on work volumes).

Operational Excellence

• Guides short-and long-term planning exercises with assigned business area to ensure appropriate teams are in place to meet forecast demand.
• Focuses on/and leads continual improvement of IBM Blue Studio Service Provision.
• Manages escalation of service issues against assigned area of responsibility.
• Ensures appropriate intake, backlog, prioritization, and production processes are in place (partnering with broader Marketing teams and Project Management).

The Team
The IBM Blue Studio Engagement team is the spirit of the organization. They manage the creative lifecycle operationally having a seat at the table strategically through conception to post-production, and optimization. This role reports to the leader of the Engagement and Agency Management team within IBM Blue Studio.


Required Technical and Professional Expertise

• 10+ years of experience
• Must have excellent expectation management skills and be fluent in the Agile method
• Must have the ability to be micro-focused and a sharp macro-thinker simultaneously.
• Must be inherently curious as a digital consumer who understands the modern content landscape.
• Must have significant experience in the production of content that drives innovative customer experiences, how content and experiences compel action, and how to respond to buyer, market, and channel evolutions and changes.
• Must be passionate about taking a new-media approach to content: using data to inspire ideas.
• Must have experience working at a creative agency or in-house alongside creative partners.
• Must be committed to flawless execution.
• Candidates must live in or around Austin, New York City or Raleigh.
• This job currently does not require travel.

Preferred Technical and Professional Expertise

• Consulting, business development or account management experience a plus.
• Expertise working alongside senior level executives ensure delivery against both business and creative expectations.
• Stellar reputation related to client service and over delivery on business objectives.
• Masters Degree

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.

This job requires you to provide your COVID-19 vaccination status with supporting documentation, where legally permissible.

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?

This job requires you to provide your COVID-19 vaccination status with supporting documentation, where legally permissible.

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.

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), 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

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.

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

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.

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.