Astellas Pharma Inc.

Purpose & Scope:

The Head of Corporate Communications is responsible for building and leading a team of senior communications professionals who develop and execute strategies that establish and position Astellas as a bio-pharmaceutical leader both internally and externally​. This role implements consistent and harmonized vision, strategies, and reputation management across the corporate C-Suite organizations (CEO, Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, General Counsel) that align with the corporate strategic plan. They advise on positioning and reputation, driving the execution of an overarching corporate message architecture that sets forth the company’s business objectives.

Essential Job Responsibilities: 

·               Oversees patient-focused culture communications, employee engagement and change management initiatives for the relevant C-Suite organizations underscoring company commitment to integrity.  
·               Leads the corporate communications team and develops a team of strategic communicators. Collaborates with all stakeholders throughout the global Astellas network. 
·               Business partner: CEO, Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, and General Counsel.  This includes leadership communications, employee engagement and external executive visibility.
·               Spearheads voice, image, reputation, and enterprise messaging strategy for Astellas at the corporate level, to ensure message alignment vertically and horizontally to all external stakeholders and internal employees.  
·               Centralizes corporate-level communications strategies to progress the value of Astellas.  
·               Leads the vision and execution of corporate-level communications content across all channels, driving consistency and building a repository of approved communications content for use in external markets and internal channels.  
·               Promotes the corporate strategy with transparency and alignment across the Astellas enterprise.  

·               Corporate reputation and corporate brand communications:  Partner with corporate leadership and coordinate with other communications teams to advance business objectives and address stakeholder needs:   

o  Develop corporate reputation and corporate brand strategic communications programming, including narratives/messages;

o  Develop external thought leadership and engagement programming that positions Astellas as the “company of choice” within external stakeholder communities;

o  Contributes corporate reputation and corporate brand-focused content to work led by other communications teams develops content, serves as SME for media and prepares business spokespersons for media (Media Relations) and financial audiences (Investor Relations)

·               Crisis/issues management: Leads crisis communications activities that arise at the corporate level, including representing communications on relevant crisis/issues management teams.  Coordinates with other “towers” to ensure appropriate and timely involvement of other communications subject matter experts.

·               Regional communications:  Provides direction and oversight to region-based communications teams to ensure appropriate strategic direction and align on impact-driven communication programming.  Serves as primary liaison to region-based communications teams for pull-through of communications programs led by other communications teams.

Quantitative Dimensions: 

The role is responsible for:

Ÿ  Internal Key Stakeholders: Employees, Senior Leadership, Communications Team members, corporate reputation/brand.

Ÿ  External Key Stakeholders: Media, Partners, Vendors, Trade & Professional Societies, Key Opinion Leaders and Influencers, Patients, Shareholders, Healthcare Professionals, Advocacy Groups, Regulators, Government/Policymakers

Organizational Context: 

Supervisory / Management Responsibilities

The position reports to the division head (Chief Communications & IR Officer)

Qualifications: 

    Required

Ÿ   Bachelor's or Master's degree preferably in Journalism, Public Relations, Communications or Marketing.

Ÿ   Minimum of 20 years of experience in a leadership role in communications, public relations, or other relevant fields.

Ÿ   Demonstrated strategic thinker, and experience in developing and implementing successful communication strategies.

Ÿ   Experience and confidence in providing strategic advice and counsel to senior leadership team related to communications strategy, crisis and reputation management and investor relations.

Ÿ   Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner.

Ÿ   Demonstrated strong interpersonal relationship and collaboration skills working within cross-functional executive leaders in a matrixed and global organization.

Ÿ   Familiarity with the latest trends and best practices in communication and marketing.

Ÿ   Demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace.

    Preferred

Ÿ   Deep experience leading and driving end-to-end communication from conception through implementation.

Ÿ   Deep knowledge of capital markets and strong relationships with the investment community.

Ÿ   Proven experience in crisis management and reputation management.

Ÿ   Maintains excellent personal relationships with healthcare reporters & industry media.

Ÿ   Digital expertise with social media and video & digital channels.