General Information
Job Advert Title:
External Corporate Communications Specialist
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】 The External Corporate Communications Specialist will support the execution of Astellas’ external corporate communications strategy, with a primary focus on media relations. Reporting to the Lead, External Corporate Communications, this role contributes to protecting and enhancing Astellas’ corporate reputation by ensuring clear, consistent, and timely communication with priority media and external stakeholders. The role partners closely with global, regional, and functional stakeholders to translate enterprise strategy and key corporate messages into compelling external stories. The Specialist will play a critical role in managing day-to-day media engagement, developing bilingual press materials, supporting issues management and crisis communications, and preparing leaders for media interactions—particularly in Japan and global contexts where Japanese-language capability is essential. This position requires strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to operate effectively on confidential and high-impact projects involving multiple stakeholders.
【職務の内容 / Essential Job Responsibilities】 （雇入れ直後） ＜Media Relations Execution＞ •Lead and execute elements of the global media relations strategy in alignment with enterprise external communications priorities and governance, under the direction of the Lead, External Corporate Communications. •Serve as a key point of contact for media inquiries, with accountability of timely, accurate, and consistent responses across proactive and reactive situations. •Build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with priority media, with a particular emphasis on Japanese national, business, and healthcare media, to strength Astellas’ reputation and visibility. •Identify and develop proactive media opportunities that reinforce Astellas’ corporate narrative, scientific leadership, and long-term strategy.
＜Corporate Messaging and Content Development＞ •Own the development and quality of press materials, including press releases, statements, Q&As, and media content in English and Japanese. •Pull through enterprise-level messaging, positioning, and narrative across all external materials, ensuring alignment with Astellas’ mission, values, and reputation priorities. •Develop reactive messaging in response to breaking news, issues, or media inquiries, in coordination with the Lead and relevant stakeholders.
＜Issues Management and Crisis Communications Support＞ •Support issues and crisis communications activities, including media monitoring, message development, and execution of response plans. •Develop and maintain core response materials, including holding statements and scenario-based messaging, to ensure readiness. •Coordinate inputs across multiple internal stakeholders during sensitive situations, ensuring alignment, speed, and message discipline.
＜Executive and Spokesperson Support＞ •Prepare leaders and designated spokespeople for media interviews and external engagements, including briefing materials, key messages, anticipated Q&A, and interview preparation support. •Support execution of high-visibility media engagements, announcements, and press events as needed.
＜Cross-Functional Collaboration and Confidential Projects＞ •Collaborate with internal communications, investor relations, regional communications, legal, compliance, and business teams to support integrated external communications. •Provide communications counsel on confidential projects involving multiple stakeholders, exercising sound judgment, discretion, and adherence to governance requirements.
＜Monitoring and Insights＞ •Support media monitoring and reporting, helping to identify emerging issues, reputational risks, and opportunities to strengthen external positioning. •Advise the Lead, External Corporate Communications and senior stakeholders on media landscape developments and implications for reputation and positioning.
＜Vendor Management＞ •Partnering with assigned agencies or vendors to ensure delivery of expected outcomes and deliverables •Managing assigned agency or vendor budgets through the year and monitoring spend vs available funding.
（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 global role supporting multiple geographies and time zones. Flexibility is required, including availability for early morning or late evening calls and working outside of normal business hours when business needs require.
【応募要件 / Qualifications】 ＜必須 / Required＞ •Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field. •At least five years of experience in public relations or media relations, preferably within a global pharmaceutical organization. •Fluency in both Japanese and English (written and spoken) is required. •Demonstrated experience drafting and editing media materials in both languages. •Strong understanding of media relations principles, including proactive pitching, reactive response, and spokesperson preparation. •Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex topics clearly and accurately. •Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to manage confidential information
＜歓迎 / Preferred＞ •Existing relationships with Japanese media (business, healthcare, science, or national press). •Experience supporting issues and crisis communications in a regulated or highly visible environment. •Experience working in a highly matrixed, global organization.
【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 → 2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 → 2nd 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】 ①基本給：当人の経歴・技術・技能等を考慮して決定 ②裁量労働制の場合：裁量労働手当として職務グレードに応じて50,000～100,000円支給 ③フレックスタイム制の場合：月間の所定労働時間を超えて勤務する時間に対して時間外勤務手当を支給 ①Base salary: will be decided by the candidate's experience, skill and capability. ②When Discretionary Work System is applied: Discretionary work allowance will be paid.(50,000～100,000yen, based on the Grade) ③When Flextime System is applied: Overtime allowance will be paid for time worked in excess of prescribed working hours.
【昇給 / Salary Raise】 有り
【賞与 / Bonus】有り
【諸手当 / Allowance】 裁量労働手当、住宅手当、通勤手当 等 Discretionary work allowance, Housing allowance, Commutation allowance, etc.
【勤務時間 / Working Hours】 8:45～17:45（月～木）、8:45～16:00（金）、裁量労働制 裁量労働制の場合、所定労働時間を働いたものとみなす 8:45～17:45（Mon～Thu）、8:45～16:00（Fri） Discretionary Work System
【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.
