Senior Director, Corporate & Product Communications (Pharma)

Overview

A global pharmaceutical organization is seeking a Senior Director, Corporate & Product Communications to lead business unit communications strategy across its Japan operations. This role sits within the Corporate Affairs function and plays a key role in shaping both product-level and broader organizational communications to support strategic business objectives.

The position acts as both a strategic advisor and hands-on communications leader, responsible for driving alignment across internal and external stakeholders, strengthening product reputation, and ensuring consistent messaging across local and global teams.

This is a senior leadership role reporting into regional/global communications leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead corporate and product communications strategy across the business unit portfolio in Japan, ensuring alignment with global communications priorities and local business objectives.

• Develop and execute integrated communication plans across product communications, disease awareness, and environmental shaping initiatives.

• Manage external communications including earned media, press releases, media relations, thought leadership, and engagement with external stakeholders such as healthcare professionals, advocacy groups, and media.

• Oversee internal communications activities including leadership messaging, employee communications, internal campaigns, and cross-functional communications alignment.

• Serve as a communications advisor to senior business leaders, providing strategic counsel, messaging guidance, and support on key business priorities and reputational issues.

• Partner closely with global and regional communications teams to ensure consistency of messaging and execution across markets.

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of communications professionals, including performance management and capability building.

• Manage external agency relationships and oversee development of communication materials including press content, digital content, speeches, Q&As, and crisis communications materials.

• Support issues management and crisis communications readiness, ensuring proactive identification and response to potential reputational risks.

Requirements

Essential Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field.

• 10+ years of experience in communications, public relations, corporate affairs, or related roles within a global organization.

• Strong experience in both internal and external communications, ideally within a pharmaceutical or regulated industry.

• Proven experience leading communications strategy for business units, brands, or product portfolios.

• Experience managing and developing teams in a matrixed, global environment.

• Strong stakeholder management experience, including engagement with senior executives and cross-functional leadership teams.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Japanese.

• Experience working with media, agencies, and external partners.

• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, global environment with strong prioritization and judgment skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in pharmaceutical or healthcare communications.

• Exposure to product lifecycle communications (launch, growth, maturity stages).

• Experience in crisis communications and issues management.

• Experience working in global matrix organizations with regional/global alignment.

• Strong understanding of healthcare ecosystem, patient advocacy, or disease awareness communications.

Benefits

Role Characteristics

• Senior leadership role within Corporate Affairs / Communications

• Hybrid responsibility across product communications + corporate reputation + internal communications

• High level of interaction with global headquarters and senior leadership

• Team leadership and capability development focus

• Strategic + operational (“player-coach”) role

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive executive-level compensation package with performance-based bonus

• Comprehensive health, welfare, and insurance coverage

• Housing and commuting allowance (where applicable)

• Annual paid leave and flexible working arrangements

• Hybrid working model with flexibility to work from home

• Career development opportunities within a global organization

• Access to international projects and cross-regional collaboration

• Strong focus on learning, leadership development, and capability building

• Employee wellbeing and work-life balance support programs