Enterprise Operations Global Strategic Planning Lead, Communications & Brand Pro

At IBM, we believe technology shapes the world. We’re a catalyst for that innovation. We’re driving change that improves businesses, society, and the human experience. Our Marketing, Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility (MCC) team tells this story. We shape IBM’s brand, capture attention in the market, and share our perspective with clients, partners, the media, and fellow IBMers. On our team, you’ll work with bright, collaborative minds who bring passion and creativity to everything they do. You’ll be part of a culture built on openness, trust, and teamwork. Where your ideas matter and your growth is supported. Join us, and help bring innovation to life. Your role and responsibilities IBM's Corporate Affairs (Communications & Brand) organization operates with a bias toward speed, collaboration, and minimal bureaucracy. We believe in flat structures, real-time coordination, and using the best tools and AI to work smarter. But as we've scaled to several hundred people across Brand, Internal Communications, External Communications, Social Media, Analyst Relations, including global teams worldwide, we need someone who can architect the connective tissue that keeps us moving fast without adding red tape. We're looking for a head of Strategic Planning who can build and maintain a sophisticated operating system across our organization - someone who gets energy from creating elegant, efficient systems rather than building empires. What You'll Own Strategic Planning & Calendar Architecture (70% forward-looking) Design and maintain the integrated external announcement calendar across all communications and brand disciplines, ensuring optimal sequencing, storytelling impact, and stakeholder alignment Identify gaps and opportunities in our cadence ("nothing's happening in Q3 - what do we do about that?") Connect the dots across divisions to surface conflicts, dependencies, and opportunities for integrated campaigns Build visibility mechanisms that keep teams informed without drowning them in meetings Operational Integration & Coordination Serve as the integrator across Corporate Affairs and Brand, with authority to adjudicate day-to-day scheduling conflicts and resource allocation decisions. Similarly, work across the Marketing function and the company at large to ensure alignment. Escalate major decisions and pain points to the Chief Communications and Brand Officer while handling the operational flow Serve as a major interface between Communications/Brand and Marketing functions, ensuring seamless information flow and identifying alignment opportunities without creating coordination overhead Drive alignment on cross-cutting priorities and strategic initiatives Keep the machine running smoothly through simplification, and minimalist systems, not bureaucracy AI-Enabled Transformation Drive AI adoption across the communications function, with particular focus on cross-functional automation opportunities Identify tasks ripe for automation - especially coordination, trafficking, and administrative work - to free teams for strategic and creative work they enjoy Champion "automation across silos" over "automation within silos" to maximize organizational impact Executive Communications Manage communications alerts and briefings to senior management, exercising judgment about what rises to executive attention Operational Leadership During High-Stakes Events Serve as operational lead during major events and executive engagements (estimated 3-5 times annually - think CES, Davos) ensuring seamless execution of complex, multi-stakeholder programs Participate in executive meetings as senior communications representative while managing real-time logistics, adjustments, and problem-solving Required education Bachelor's Degree Preferred education Master's Degree Required technical and professional expertise 10+ years in corporate communications, with demonstrated experience coordinating across large, complex organizations. Proven experience designing, managing, and maintaining an integrated external announcements calendar across communications and brand disciplines, with demonstrated ability to ensure strategic sequencing, strong storytelling impact, and stakeholder alignment. Experience building complex communication systems, not organization charts. Excellence in stakeholder management across peer leaders and senior executives. Deep proficiency with collaboration tools - specifically AirTable, project management systems, and a bias toward using technology to solve problems. Preferred technical and professional experience The Right Personality: You get energy from making things run smoothly, not from being in the spotlight. You're allergic to unnecessary meetings and bureaucracy. You can toggle between strategic thinking and tactical execution. You're comfortable wielding authority without needing a big title or team. You're genuinely excited about AI and automation as tools to work smarter. You thrive on being the "architect" who designs elegant solutions. You don’t sweat the small stuff. You have a sense of humor. You care deeply about your work, but have a healthy sense of perspective about it too. Benefits 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 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr