This is what you will do: 

The Associate Director, Communications Japan plays a key role in shaping and delivering strategic communications across Alexion Japan’s rare disease portfolio. The role independently develops and executes integrated corporate, product and external communications strategies that strengthen reputation, support business priorities and help advance understanding of rare diseases and the needs of patients and caregivers. Working closely with local and global colleagues, this role provides senior-level communications counsel, translates complex scientific and business information into clear and compelling narratives, and ensures high-quality, compliant execution across channels. 

You will be responsible for: 

• Demonstrate a patient-first mindset, sound judgment, integrity and a strong commitment to responsible communications. 

• Independently develop and execute annual communications strategies and plans aligned with Japan business priorities, the rare disease portfolio and global communications direction. 

• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to Japan leadership and cross-functional teams, providing strategic counsel on reputation, stakeholder expectations, positioning, messaging and communications risks. 

• Lead corporate communications initiatives that enhance understanding of Alexion Japan, its purpose, rare disease leadership and contribution to patients, caregivers and society. 

• Lead product and disease-area communications, including approval and milestone announcements, data communications, disease awareness initiatives, media materials, Q&A documents and executive briefing materials. 

• Build and maintain constructive relationships with healthcare, pharmaceutical industry, business and other relevant media; manage proactive media engagement, inquiries, interviews and follow-up. 

• Monitor the external environment and media landscape, identify emerging opportunities and risks, and translate insights into timely communications recommendations and actions. 

• Lead issues preparedness and response communications in close partnership with Legal, Compliance, Regulatory, Medical, Commercial, Government Affairs, Patient Advocacy and other relevant functions. 

• Develop clear, accurate and compelling content for external and internal audiences, including news releases, statements, executive messages, talking points, presentations, digital content and employee communications. 

• Partner with Patient Advocacy to ensure patient and caregiver perspectives are appropriately reflected in corporate and disease-awareness communications. 

• Coordinate cross-functionally to ensure communications are scientifically accurate, consistent with approved information and aligned with applicable laws, regulations, company standards and review processes. 

• Collaborate with global and international Communications teams to align strategy, adapt global materials for Japan and share Japan insights, milestones and best practices. 

• Manage multiple high-priority projects independently, balancing Japan and global priorities while ensuring quality, timeliness and effective stakeholder alignment. 

• Manage communications agencies, vendors and partners, including scope development, briefing, quality control, progress tracking, timelines and deliverables. 

• Manage and track the local communications team budget, purchase and contracting processes, and other key operational requirements. 

• Maintain and update local communications guidelines, SOPs, templates, processes, channel governance and media-related resources. 

• Establish relevant objectives and measures, evaluate communications effectiveness and use insights to continuously improve strategy and execution. 

• Support executive visibility and external speaking opportunities, including message development, briefing, rehearsal and coordination of required reviews and approvals. 

• Contribute hands-on to day-to-day communications execution and administrative activities when needed. 

You will need to have: 

• Bachelor’s degree with more than 8 years of communications experience in a B2B or B2C company or a communications agency. 

• Demonstrated ability to independently develop communications strategy and translate it into high-quality execution. 

• Experience across corporate communications, product communications, media relations, and issues and crisis communications. 

• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to see the big picture, anticipate trends, assess complex situations and identify communications opportunities and risks. 

• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills in Japanese, with the ability to simplify complex scientific, medical and business information for different audiences. 

• Professional proficiency in English, both written and spoken, with experience working in a global matrix organization. 

• Demonstrated experience in digital and social media communications, including developing channel and content plans, setting relevant and meaningful KPIs, analyzing performance data, and translating insights into continuous optimization of strategy and execution. 

• An established network with Japanese media and a demonstrated ability to pitch Alexion’s priority topics and secure meaningful coverage across broadcast, print and digital outlets. 

• Demonstrated enterprise agility and the ability to establish credibility quickly with senior leaders and stakeholders across the organization. 

• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills across countries, cultures and organizational functions. 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective external relationships, including with media and agency partners. 

• Experience managing multiple projects, vendors, budgets and timelines with strong attention to detail. 

• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment, manage ambiguity and exercise sound judgment on sensitive issues. 

• Willingness to perform hands-on operational and administrative work as needed. 

We would prefer for you to have: 

• More than 5 years of communications experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or healthcare sector is preferred but not required. 

• Established knowledge of the Japanese healthcare, pharmaceutical media and regulatory environment. 

• Experience communicating about rare diseases, specialty medicines, regulatory milestones or scientific and clinical data. 

Date Posted

Closing Date

Alexion is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging where every single person can belong because of their uniqueness. The Company will not make decisions about employment, training, compensation, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment based on race, color, religion, creed or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), parental status (including adoption or surrogacy), military status, protected veteran status, disability, medical condition, gender identity or expression, genetic information, mental illness or other characteristics protected by law. Alexion provides reasonable accommodations to meet the needs of candidates and employees. To begin an interactive dialogue with Alexion regarding an accommodation, please contact [email protected]. Alexion participates in E-Verify.