Responsibilities

• Define and own Astellas’ enterprise external communications and global reputation strategy, aligning with long-term corporate priorities, growth objectives, and risk posture
• Serve as the enterprise authority on external communications governance and reputational risk, providing critical oversight on high-impact corporate positioning matters
• Lead and develop the global external corporate communications team, establishing operating standards, succession planning, and enterprise capability
• Establish and govern a comprehensive external communications strategy that aligns with corporate, functional, and regional business objectives, ensuring clarity and consistency in messaging across all external channels
• Define and lead the global media relations strategy, cultivating strong relationships with key media outlets, industry journalists, and influencers to effectively communicate Astellas’ corporate narrative and scientific leadership
• Provide strategic oversight of major announcements, high-visibility engagements, and proactive media initiatives that elevate Astellas’ corporate profile
• Centrally coordinate media outreach for priority and top-tier media outlets, including other parts of Astellas who may generate press releases, including VALUE Delivery, VALUE Creation, Patient Centricity,Public Affairs, andSustainability
• Works closely with key stakeholders in Public Affairs to translate complex policy issues into clear and concise messaging for external and internal stakeholders
• Serve as a partner to public affairs team providing strategic counsel on advocacy opportunities and stakeholder engagement
• Define and govern the global social media and external digital strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate messaging and engagement with key stakeholders
• Oversee integration of digital platforms to amplify corporate positioning and strengthen global brand visibility
• Maintain a coherent corporate narrative that resonates with diverse audiences, reinforcing Astellas' mission and values
• Continuously evolve the enterprise narrative to address emerging business priorities and stakeholder expectations
• Lead crisis communications efforts, including the proactive development of response strategies and messaging to protect and enhance Astellas’ reputation during challenging situations
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure timely and effective communication during crises
• Maintain website strategy for Astellas.com, including incremental improvements to the user experience and quality and accuracy of design and content
• Monitor monthly analytics for trends and provide recommendations for new content, updates, or features
• Identify, implement, and monitor performance metrics to assess the effectiveness of external communications initiatives and make data-driven improvements
• Identify, monitor and report on key Astellas reputation metrics that indicate how our company is seen externally by various external stakeholders/audiences
• Own the global external communications budget strategy and agency governance model, including selection, performance management and resource allocation to maximize impact cross-functionally across regions to ensure alignment of external messaging and integrated reputation management

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, or media relations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
• Proven track record in developing and executing successful external communications strategies that enhance corporate reputation and visibility
• Strong media relations experience with established relationships in healthcare and industry media
• Deep experience in leading end-to-end external communication campaigns from conception through implementation
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely
• Experience in crisis and issues management
• Experience with Generative AI and LLMs, including when to use and not to use
• Experience in reputation management, including monitoring and reporting on reputation measures for key stakeholder audiences
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex situations
• Demonstrated ability of strategic thinking to challenge a status quo
• Demonstrated ability to lead and coach team members to develop their communication knowledge and skill
• Ability to manage large-scale program budgets and coordinate multiple agencies effectively

Preferred

• Experience in integrating multi-channel planning and digital strategies into external communications initiatives
• Experience partnering with and activating communicators across a global company
• Experience in the life sciences, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology sectors
• Fluency in Japanese (native or full business capability) is a plus

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