Associate Director, Global Media Relations

Responsibilities

• Create, lead and execute a comprehensive, proactive and integrated media relations strategy and plan, aligning with corporate and regional business objectives.
• Lead Astellas’ global earned media strategy across healthcare, scientific, business, financial and trade media.
• Identify and secure high-impact earned media opportunities that elevate Astellas executives, scientific leaders, and the overall corporate narrative.
• Serve as primary point of contact for top-tier media and other external stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain relationships with top-tier global, national and trade media and key stakeholders; institute an efficient process and approach for media inquiries, including global coverage.
• Increase awareness of Astellas, the Astellas narrative and scientific leadership and help establish Astellas as a thought leader.
• Support major company initiatives and announcements by developing external plans that amplify the impact globally.
• Prepare executives and leaders for highly visible regional and local media and stakeholder engagements.
• Translate complex scientific, clinical and business topics into compelling narratives that resonate with multiple audiences.
• Establish and track key performance indicators, including media quality, message penetration, share of voice, executive visibility, and reputation outcomes, using insights to continuously improve strategy and execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree preferably in Journalism, Public Relations, Communications or Marketing
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a role in public relations and media relations, public affairs, communications or other relevant fields, including experience supporting C-suite executives with strategic media relations.
• Experience in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, biotechnology or life sciences industries.
• Demonstrated track record in media relations including relationships with top-tier healthcare and industry media, as well as demonstration of how media stories have been influenced because of your work.
• Experience working in corporate communications at headquarters of a global company, in a highly matrixed, global environment.
• Experience providing strategic communications counsel to executive leadership.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and ability to influence to challenge a status quo and drive innovative communications solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong interpersonal influence and active listening skills, flexible collaborator with the highest ethical and business standards.
• Strong understanding of how the external environment influences corporate reputation and business strategy, and the ability to translate those insights into effective communications approaches.

Preferred

• Experience supporting corporate reputation, executive communications, and issues management programs.
• Familiarity with media monitoring, social media management, and analytics platforms.
• Experience working with digital agencies and external communications vendors.
• Understanding of technology platforms that support media relations and digital communication activities.
• Understanding of how search engines, AI-powered search experiences, SEO, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) influence content discoverability, corporate visibility and media engagement.
• Experience supporting communications activities across multiple markets and regions.
• Familiarity with global communications governance and approval processes.
• Experience in both agency and in-house corporate communications environments.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution
• Company paid life insurance
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• Company fleet vehicle for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program