Job Description

General Information

Job Advert Title:
Lead, Japan Commercial & Medical Affairs Communications

Location:
Nihonbashi, Tokyo

Division:
Communications & Investor Relations

Employment Class:
Permanent

Description

【About Astellas】 Astellas is a global life sciences company committed to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. We provide transformative therapies in disease areas that include oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology and women's health. Through our research and development programs, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need. （HP： Learn more about Astellas）

【募集の背景 / Purpose & Scope】This position is responsible for leading, planning, and executing strategic communications for Japan Commercial & Medical Affairs, in close partnership with CIR, to drive positive engagement with internal and external stakeholders around Astellas’ corporate values, vision, direction, portfolio, and brand in Japan.
The role serves as the senior communications counselor to the Japan Commercial President and Japan Commercial Leadership Team, supporting clear, consistent, and timely communications that advance business priorities, enable transformation, strengthen engagement, and protect reputation within the Japanese market.
Operating in a player‑coach model, the role has no direct reports and succeeds through hands-on delivery as well as leadership through influence—working across a matrix with global CMAC colleagues, CIR partners, and third‑party vendors. The position ensures strong alignment between global enterprise narratives and Japan‑specific commercial and medical affairs needs while elevating Japan insights into global communications planning.

【職務の内容 / Essential Job Responsibilities】（雇入れ直後）1) Leadership Counsel, Strategy, and Alignment (Japan)•Serve as a trusted communications advisor to the Japan Commercial President and Leadership Team.•Provide strategic communications counsel on business priorities, transformation initiatives, portfolio evolution, and reputation matters.•Develop integrated communications strategies and plans that support Japan Commercial & Medical Affairs priorities while aligning to enterprise narratives and governance.
2) Commercial & Medical Affairs Communications (Japan Focus)•Lead communications to support strategic products and the existing portfolio in Japan, across internal and external audiences.•Drive coordinated communications around key milestones, including product launches, major brand moments, disease awareness initiatives, and R&D/clinical data disclosures, in a compliant manner.•Ensure alignment and consistency between global commercial/medical narratives and Japan execution, partnering closely with Global Brand Communications and CIR.
3) Internal Communications & Change Communications•Develop and execute internal communications strategies that reinforce understanding of strategy, objectives, culture, and desired behaviors across Japan Commercial & Medical Affairs.•Lead change communications in support of transformation, new ways of working, organizational change, and portfolio evolution.•Create high quality executive communications for Japan leadership, including leadership messages, presentations, announcements, talking points, and Q&As.
4) Brand Communications•Develop insight-led brand awareness communications strategies, working with the Japan local Brand teams to support, oversee & drive execution, ensuring programs proposed align with the strategic imperatives set. •Drive engagement among relevant external stakeholders and employees to support brand growth of our priority products.•Ensure brand communication programs developed are approved, compliant and implemented within timelines set.•Regionalize & implement global content, augment global activities with Japan -specific activities (agreed within co-creation) and support market needs by customizing campaigns to ensure effective implementation and maximize reach and impact in Japan •Drive internal disease awareness/ education and communicate Brand Comms news/ updates/ launches•Collaborate with business partners to support data, regulatory, and lifecycle milestones through corporate press announcements and appropriate Q&A support materials.•Manage local brand issues/crisis and execution by providing expert counsel and scenario planning with sound recommendations. •Actively engage, cultivate, and manage press relationships to ensure coverage surrounding programmes, special events, public announcements, and other projects.•Develop measurement criteria and processes that effectively evaluate communications
5) External Communications, Reputation & Stakeholder Engagement (Japan)•Strengthen Astellas’ corporate and portfolio reputation in Japan with key external stakeholders, including media, healthcare professionals, payers, patient groups, and partners.•Develop and execute external communications plans, materials, and messaging (e.g., press statements, key message frameworks, executive materials) tailored to the Japanese market.•Identify and activate opportunities to raise corporate and leadership visibility in Japan, in coordination with global media and corporate communications colleagues.
6) Issues & Crisis Communications (Japan)•Lead communications response for Japan based issues, crises, or litigation related matters, working in partnership with Japan leadership, CIR, Legal, Ethics & Compliance, and global communications teams.•Monitor internal sentiment and external media coverage in Japan to inform risk assessment and response strategies.
7) Ways of Working, Governance, and Collaboration•Operate as a player coach with no direct reports, delivering personally while influencing cross functional and global partners.•Collaborate across CMAC and CIR as One Astellas, ensuring agility, enterprise-first decision making, and disciplined prioritization.•Manage multiple, competing priorities while maintaining high quality, compliance, and impact.
Key Relationships＜Internal＞•Japan Commercial President and Japan Commercial Leadership Team•CIR leadership and global CMAC colleagues•Medical Affairs, Legal, Ethics & Compliance, HR and other Japan functions＜External＞•Media and external stakeholders in Japan•Third party agencies and vendors supporting communications activities
（変更の範囲）会社内での全ての業務

【就業環境に関する要件 / Specific Physical or Environmental Requirements】At Astellas we recognize the importance of work/life balance, and we are proud to offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues at the office with the flexibility to also work from home. We believe this will optimize the most productive work environment for all employees to succeed and deliver. Hybrid work from certain locations may be permitted in accordance with Astellas' Responsible Flexibility Guidelines.This is a senior, Japan focused role operating within a global organization. Collaboration across time zones is required, with flexibility for meetings outside standard business hours as needed.

【応募要件 / Qualifications】＜必須 / Required＞・Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in communications, journalism, or a related field.・Extensive experience (typically 15+ years) in corporate, commercial, or public affairs communications, preferably within the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry.・Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders and leadership teams.・Deep understanding of the Japanese communications, media, and stakeholder environment.・Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in Japanese and English.・Strong external communications expertise, including media relations and reputation management.・Proven ability to operate in complex, highly regulated environments with a strong compliance mindset.・Ability to lead through influence in a matrixed, global organization.
＜歓迎 / Preferred＞・Experience spanning both commercial and medical affairs communications・Background in both in-house and agency/consultancy environments・Strong change communications experience supporting transformation initiatives・Demonstrated ability to manage agencies and external vendors effectively

【応募書類 / Application Documents】和文履歴書・和文職務経歴書・英文レジュメBoth Japanese and English Resumes are needed

【選考プロセス / Selection details】書類選考 → 1次面接 →　最終面接※変更の可能性もございますので、予めご了承下さい。CV screening → First interview → Final interview*Please be advised that there might be a change in the process.

【勤務地 / Location】（雇入れ直後）東京都中央区　アステラス製薬　日本橋事業所　本社 Nihonbashi, Tokyo

（変更の範囲）会社の定める事業場および自宅

【勤務開始日 / Start Date】応相談Will be decided according to the candidate's flexibility

【契約期間 / Contract Duration】期間の定めなしNot limited to specified period

【試用期間 / Probation Period】試用期間原則なしNo probation period in principle

【給与 / Salary】当人の経歴・技術・技能等を考慮して決定Will be decided by the candidate's experience, skill and capability.

【昇給 / Salary Raise】有り

【賞与 / Bonus】有り

【諸手当 / Allowance】住宅手当、通勤手当　等Discretionary work allowance, Housing allowance, Commutation allowance, etc.

【勤務時間 / Working Hours】管理監督者　8:45～17:45（月～木）、8:45～16:00（金）Managers and Supervisors　8:45～17:45（Mon～Thu）、8:45～16:00（Fri）

【休日 / Holidays】完全週休２日制（土曜・日曜）、祝日、5月1日、夏季、年末年始Weekends (Sat and Sun), holidays, May 1st, summer vacation, New Year holidays

【休暇 / Vacation Leave】年次有給休暇、育児休業制度、介護休業制度　等Annual paid leave, childcare leave system, nursing care leave system, etc.

【福利厚生 / Welfare】雇用保険、労災保険、厚生年金、健康保険、共済会制度、社宅制度、持株会制度、財形貯蓄制度　等Employment Insurance, Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance, Welfare Pension Insurance, Health Insurance, Mutual Aid Association System, Company Housing System, Employee Shareholder Association System, Property Accumulation Savings System

【アステラス製薬　採用サイト/ Career web site】https://re-jp.astellas.com/jp/recruit/newgraduates/
For more information about Astellas, please visit our career web site.
"We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law."

【What awaits you at Astellas? 】 •Global collaboration: Become part of a connected global business of like-minded life science leaders, all dedicated to improving patients' lives worldwide.
•Real-world patient impact: Contribute to transformative therapies that reach patients around the world, knowing your work makes a difference every day.
•Relentless Innovation: Join a company at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs, where you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare.
•A Culture of Growth: Chart your own course within a supportive environment that values your contributions, champions your development, and empowers you to pursue your passions.

【Our Organizational Values and Behaviors】 Values: Innovation, Integrity and Impact sit at the heart of what we do.
Behaviors: We come together as ‘One Astellas’, working with courage and a sense of urgency. We are outcome focused and consistently take accountability for our personal contribution.