Senior Associate, Technology

Who is Weber Shandwick?

Part of The Weber Shandwick Collective (TWSC), we’re the earned-first global communications agency, led by world-class strategic thinkers and creative activators. We create shared and sustainable value for businesses, people, and society. We energise the right mix of talent, using the right platforms and latest technology to choreograph stories that make a real and meaningful impact for some of the world’s leading brands and businesses. 

Our game-changing work is recognised by some of the most prestigious industry awards bodies, and we have won more than 135 Lions at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. We’re also PRWeek’s 2024 Global Agency of the Year as well as being listed on the Ad Age A-List 2024 and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies 2024. 

 

What’s Happening? 

Weber Shandwick is looking for a Manager, Client Experience – Technology to join our growing focused on supporting clients in the technology space, including enterprise software, electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.

In this role, you will play a critical role in driving long-term success of our Technology practice, serving as day-to-day client liaison, recommending programs and activities to meet client goals, effectively managing external communications projects, delivering sound counsel and managing account budgets. The ideal candidate has a background in broad corporate communications with strong capability in media relations and experience – or strong interest – in technology.

 

What will you be doing?

• Develop understanding of the client’s industry, business and target audience, and work with senior specialists across media, strategy, creative and issues management to deliver solutions that meet program objectives
• Identify and analyze industry issues that directly and indirectly impact the client and distill meaningful insights to provide proactive counsel, and maintain real-time understanding of tech trends to support proactive ideation
• Generate storytelling ideas and topic angles, collaboratively develop content, draft media and briefing materials, and pitch media to land earned opportunities
• Assist in financial management for clients, including development of invoices, budget reconciliation and activity reports
• Actively participate in agency growth and assist with new business as needed
• Mentor, coach and support team members and support development of their skills
• Participate in office-wide initiatives, seminars and meetings to further professional learning and development

Qualifications

• 4+ years’ relevant experience
• Fluency in both Japanese and English as you’ll be working with both local and international clients
• Ambitious, with a passion for public relations and the vision to progress your career to a senior level with Weber Shandwick
• Unafraid to ask questions and to challenge clients’ and colleagues’ perspectives when necessary
• Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail
• Demonstrable experience in public relations and communications
• Proven media skills and relationships with national and trade journalists
• Able to digest complex information and turn into compelling written copy
• A lateral thinker – able to join the dots between various projects, and solve problems!
• Fluency in digital/social media platforms, with an appetite to learn more

 

Competencies

• Business Acumen – align talent strategies to drive business goals
• Client Service – client focus and ability to build trust and rapport across all levels
• Project Management – ability to delegate tasks and plan/execute projects to meet target deadlines
• Proactivity – exhibit relentless pursuit for new and innovative talent strategies
• Collaboration – build strong relationships at all levels across the organization
• Critical Thinking – ask probing questions; anticipate and address critical talent gaps and needs
• Conflict Resolution – possess sound judgment and savvy in navigating and resolving complex talent and organizational issues

 

 

About our Client Experience Community

Members of our Client Experience Community are business partners to our clients by helping them to address opportunities or issues with communications strategies. We are the instigators of great work, lead the strategic development of integrated, cross-platform solutions and serve as the client’s advocate, ensuring quality ideas and an outstanding client experience. Client experience teams set the agenda and vision for our partners, lead the development of our best work and create fruitful client relationships. We explore marketplace opportunities and client needs to grow our relationships and increase our value as a trusted partner to our clients in their best and most challenging days.

 

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Who is Weber Shandwick?
Part of The Weber Shandwick Collective (TWSC), we’re the earned-first global communications agency, led by world-class strategic thinkers and creative activators. We create shared and sustainable value for businesses, people, and society. We energise the right mix of talent, using the right platforms and latest technology to choreograph stories that make a real and meaningful impact for some of the world’s leading brands and businesses. 

Our game-changing work is recognised by some of the most prestigious industry awards bodies, and we have won more than 135 Lions at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. We’re also PRWeek’s 2024 Global Agency of the Year as well as being listed on the Ad Age A-List 2024 and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies 2024. 

 

What’s Happening? 

Weber Shandwick is looking for a Senior Manager/Account Director, Client Experience – Technology (title commensurate with experience) to join our growing focused on supporting clients in the technology space, including enterprise software, electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.

In this role, you will play a critical role in driving long-term success of our Technology practice, serving as day-to-day client liaison, recommending programs and activities to meet client goals, effectively managing external communications projects, delivering sound counsel and managing account budgets. The ideal candidate has a background in broad corporate communications with strong capability in media relations and experience – or strong interest – in technology.

 

What will you be doing?

• Develop a strong understanding of the client’s business and target audiences and work collaboratively with strategists and creative team members to deliver solutions that meet program objectives
• Develop strategic messaging for clients and support creation of media plans and proposals that take an integrated approach to driving awareness with target audiences both domestically and globally
• Foster meaningful relationships with media reporters, and facilitate interviews and meetings for client-side spokespeople with media liaisons
• Develop executive positioning programs and generate talking points/topics for executives taking part in interviews and appearances
• Develop integrated programs that leverage earned, paid and social media
• Create engaging and eye-grabbing story ideas and topic angles, oversee team in developing media materials, and pitch media to land earned coverage
• Manage existing client relationships and develop potential for new clients to grow the Tech team business
• Support client spokesperson training
• Serve as the client contact for crisis preparedness and response
• Support internal communication programs
• Foster growth and team development as a leader on the Tech practice and support the management of junior members
• Participate in office-wide initiatives, seminars, and meetings to further professional learning and development.

 

Qualifications

• Fluent Japanese (Ability to conduct business smoothly in Japanese)
• High Business English (Ability to conduct business at the basic level in English)
• 5-7 years of communications experience, preferably in an agency environment
• Strong experience planning and executing Tech projects and product PR strategies and tactics
• Strong experience in traditional media relations (newspapers, magazines, TV programmes, etc.)
• Ability to efficiently navigate and utilise social media

 

Competencies

• Business Acumen – align talent strategies to drive business goals
• Client Service – client focus and ability to build trust and rapport across all levels
• Project Management – ability to delegate tasks and plan/execute projects to meet target deadlines
• Proactivity – exhibit relentless pursuit for new and innovative talent strategies
• Collaboration – build strong relationships at all levels across the organization
• Critical Thinking – ask probing questions; anticipate and address critical talent gaps and needs
• Conflict Resolution – possess sound judgment and savvy in navigating and resolving complex talent and organizational issues

 

About our Client Experience Community

Members of our Client Experience Community are business partners to our clients by helping them to address opportunities or issues with communications strategies. We are the instigators of great work, lead the strategic development of integrated, cross-platform solutions and serve as the client’s advocate, ensuring quality ideas and an outstanding client experience. Client experience teams set the agenda and vision for our partners, lead the development of our best work and create fruitful client relationships. We explore marketplace opportunities and client needs to grow our relationships and increase our value as a trusted partner to our clients in their best and most challenging days.

 

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About the opportunity:  

We are seeking a Senior Manager or Account Director (title commensurate with experience) to join our Corporate Practice in Tokyo. This opportunity is ideal for someone passionate about communications　and client engagement, ready to take on a new challenge in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. 

The successful candidate will work across a portfolio of leading Japanese and international brands, developing and executing integrated PR and corporate communications strategies. This person must be fluent in both Japanese (JLPT N2 or higher) and English (TOEIC 800, TOEFL 70 or higher), with strong written and verbal skills in both languages. 

 

Responsibilities:  

 Content Development & Writing 

• Develop high-quality proposals, corporate profiles, client briefings and other materials in both Japanese and English.
• Proofread and edit internal and external documents for quality and consistency.
• Contribute to the development of strategic communications planning. 

Media Relations 

• Draft and localize media relations materials including press releases, Q&As, and media alerts.
• Generate media outreach strategies and pitch efforts.
• Respond to media inquiries with accuracy and speed.
• Establish and manage relationships with media.
• Track and stay current on relevant industry events and media opportunities. 

Client Leadership & Strategic Execution 

• Serve as a key team member managing multiple public relations projects across various clients, from concept to completion.
• Contribute to the development of tactical plans and cross-community implementations.
• Successfully meet or exceed client expectations by ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Proactively generate new ideas and tactical suggestions aligned with strategic goals.
• Participate in client meetings
• Help build client relationships by instilling confidence and trust at an executional level. 

Project Management & Operations 

• Manage campaigns and cross-functional teams, ensuring deliverables meet strategic and quality standards.
• Cross-reference and approve invoices, ensuring accuracy in financial documentation.
• Track and enter time on a daily basis with precision.
• Perform other administrative tasks as required for account and team efficiency. 

 

Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of business experience, preferably within an agency/consulting/service-oriented company.
• Bilingual fluency in Japanese and English, both spoken and written.
• Strong project management skills; capable of leading initiatives from start to finish.
• Excellent business acumen, with the ability to translate complex client needs into actionable strategies.
• Able to work independently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with quick response times.
• Creative thinker and strong team player with a collaborative mindset. 

 

What We Offer 

• The opportunity to work with global brands and high-profile clients. 

• A collaborative, creative, and diverse environment. 

• Career development opportunities in a globally recognized agency. 

• Competitive salary and benefits package. 

 

Note from the team 

Weber Shandwick is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Weber Shandwick is committed to building a culture where all employees are seen as equal, are respected and where all opinions are heard. We take pride in our inclusive hiring, as well as our diverse workforce and we welcome applications from all qualified candidates. 

 

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