External Corporate Communications Specialist (Sr Manager)

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.

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.

Essential Job Responsibilities

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.

Qualifications

• 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 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

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.