Head of Communications, International Markets

This position is based in Singapore and we are looking for candidates willing to relocate.

Are you looking for a purposefully collaborative culture where diversity is valued and you can own your own career journey? Astellas offers great development opportunities for employees who drive transformation in every element of delivering for patients.

If you share our deep commitment to patients and the desire to do meaningful work in an open and entrepreneurial environment, you belong at Astellas.

Astellas is a pharmaceutical company operating in approximately 70 countries around the world. We are committed to positively impacting patients’ lives. This patient-focused approach drives our strategic thinking and day-to-day decision-making. We focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conduct our business with ethics and integrity, so that we can continue to change global health for the better.

This role works across our International Markets business that comprises APAC, MEA & LATAM

Purpose of the Position:

Responsible for the development of robust communications strategies that support Brand (products/ portfolio), External and Internal Communications as well as Issues Management. The Lead, International Markets Commercial Communications is the subject matter expert at senior leaders level and is responsible for leading, developing and implementing strategic communications plans that drive the business and support commercial priorities. The role will work closely with global Therapeutic Area Communications Team and the local affiliates to drive brand growth through integrated, insight-led, innovative communications.

• The role is responsible for driving efficient global to local pull through and enhance the affiliates capabilities in communications. This role is also responsible for driving employee engagement and executive visibility in support of Astellas’ stated business goals. This role ensures a consistent and on-going flow of communications that support business objectives.
• Be responsible for developing and implementing communications strategies that interface between affiliates, Therapeutic Area Communications, and other global communication functions within the CIR function
• Develop brand and disease awareness led communications strategies, drive engagement among relevant external stakeholders and employees to support brand growth of our priority products
• Work with cross functional teams such as Government Affairs, Market Access, Medical Affairs and Patient Centricity to help shape the environment to enhance access of the company’s innovative medicines
• Drive positive engagement with internal and external stakeholders on Astellas’ corporate values, vision / direction, and brand
• Raise corporate profile, and profile of the Company’s portfolio to its stakeholders which include media, HCPs, payers and patient groups

Core Tasks, Responsibilities and Authority Includes:

• Member of the Commercial Communications Leadership Team responsible for harmonised strategies across the global Commercial organisation including executive visibility, employee engagement, issues management, digital communications, operations and measurement.
• Member of the International Markets cross functional Leadership Team, provide strategic communications counsel to the President and other Leadership Team members
• Facilitate global, regional, local communications alignment, working with the global commercial communication teams to drive communication efficiencies through sharing resources
• Protect reputation and drive a patient-focused corporate culture committed to integrity, engagement & inclusion, fostering behaviours that contribute to the fulfillment of our strategic plan
• Direct the communication team to implement strategies that support the communication objectives to drive business growth

Brand Communications Responsibilities Include:

• Develop insight-led brand and disease awareness communications strategies, working with the regional Brand teams and global Therapeutic Area Communications Team to support oversee & support execution in priority markets, ensuring programmes proposed align with the strategic imperatives set.
• Drive engagement among relevant external stakeholders and employees to support brand growth of our priority products
• Facilitate strategic conversations with International Markets Brand Leads & Global TA Comms Leads, input into overall strategy & tactical plan, representing needs of the markets.
• Proactively work with affiliates to understand the market needs, evaluate activity and roll back up to global
• Ensure therapy / brand communications programmes developed are approved, compliant and implemented within timelines set.

Internal Communications Responsibilities Include:

• Support Head of International Markets Commercial and his/ her cross functional leadership team to drive strategic alignment, engagement and foster culture/behaviours to maximise regional performance against a backdrop of ongoing change
• Strategically plan and execute the executive communications for the Head of International Markets Commercial to drive strong leadership within the company to build trust amongst employees
• Devise a robust internal communications strategy that engages employees and support their understanding of the organisation’s strategies, objectives, values and direction, utilising a range of communications platforms/ channels.

External Communications Responsibilities Include:

• Position Astellas as a progressive health partner and demonstrate the value we are delivering to patients, healthcare systems and society through effective external communications tactics.
• Represent the Company externally and support the company in contacts with industry, government bodies, customers and the general public in order to maintain a positive view of the company and its products.
• Responsible for developing and directing an external facing strategic communications programme annually which engages wider stakeholder audiences such as patient groups, business and trade media.
• Lead on identifying and maximising corporate media and award opportunities which positively raise the profile of the company and positions Astellas as a leader in its field. Work alongside senior management to maximise on media and awards opportunities.

Qualifications & Experience Required Includes:

• Postgraduate qualification in Communications
• BS or BA Degree or Equivalent in journalism, communications or related field
• Minimum of 15+ years of increasing corporate communications or public relations experience, preferably in healthcare industry
• Solid experience in brand/ products communications in Pharmaceutical industry
• Ideally experience of working both in consultancy / agency and in-house to ensure they have direct experience of and understanding of the factors that impact the management and implementation of PR programmes.
• Substantial commercial communications experience including reasonable time within an international healthcare communications role