Vice President, Technology

About the opportunity:

Weber Shandwick Japan is seeking a dynamic and experienced Vice President (VP) or Senior Vice President (SVP) of Client Experience, specializing in consumer technology (B2C & B2B). This leadership role will work closely with our Executive Vice President (EVP) and a dedicated team of professionals to enhance our consumer technology product PR and communications efforts. As a key member of our leadership team, you will play a crucial role in shaping the client experience and driving impactful communication strategies,

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Client Leadership:

 

• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, providing strategic insights and guidance to elevate their brand reputation and consumer engagement in the technology sector.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key client stakeholders, ensuring alignment of goals and objectives.

 

Strategic Planning:

 

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive communication strategies focused on earned media, social media, and KOL (Key Opinion Leader) engagement for B2B clients, as well as influencer engagement (YouTubers/Instagrammers) for B2C clients.
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities in the technology landscape to inform client strategies and tactics.

 

Team Collaboration:

 

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including creative, digital, and analytics, to ensure cohesive and integrated client solutions.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability within the team.

 

Media Relations:

 

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key media outlets, influencers, and stakeholders to maximize client visibility and coverage.
• Oversee the creation of compelling press materials, including press releases, media kits, and briefing documents.

 

Consultative Approach:

 

• Provide strategic counsel to clients, placing customer success at the core of all initiatives and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
• Conduct regular check-ins and feedback sessions with clients to assess satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.

 

 

 

 

Performance Measurement:

 

• Analyze and report on the effectiveness of communication strategies, utilizing metrics and KPIs to measure impact and ROI.
• Make data-driven recommendations for continuous improvement and optimization of client campaigns.

 

Mentorship:

 

• Lead and mentor team members, providing guidance and support for their professional development.
• Encourage a culture of learning and creativity, fostering an environment where team members feel empowered to share ideas and take risks.

 

PERSON PROFILE

 

• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in public relations or communications, with a strong focus on consumer technology products and services. Agency experience is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in managing high-profile client accounts, particularly in the technology sector, with a history of delivering measurable results.
• Strong consultant with the ability to understand client needs and deliver tailored solutions that drive success and exceed expectations.
• Strong experience in engaging KOLs for B2B clients and influencers (YouTubers/Instagrammers) for B2C clients, with a deep understanding of how to leverage these relationships for maximum impact.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and compellingly to diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical abilities to assess communication strategies and outcomes, with a focus on continuous improvement and strategic insights.
• A collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and values teamwork, diversity, and inclusion.

 

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.

 

 

 

About the opportunity:  

Weber Shandwick is currently seeking an ambitious Vice President for our Consumer team to oversee key international accounts. The ideal candidate will enjoy creating integrated marketing and communications strategies, providing high level guidance to advice to clients and be a natural leader and mentor. You’ll be a native Japanese speaker, with fluency in English. More junior candidates will be considered for an AD position. 

You’ll be working with a brilliant team to oversee the running of the accounts, provide counsel and strategic direction, and motivate the team to craft exceptional, award-winning work! 

  

Responsibilities: 

• Planning and execution of integrated marketing and communication strategies and tactics for international consumer clients  

• Provide strategic counsel to clients where possible, being able to assess problems and define logical and effective solutions for clients. 

• Lead the delivery of high quality earned activity, which includes development of media and channel strategies, story development and management of third parties. 

• Brief and inform account teams. Communicate expectations/goals to team on an ongoing basis, helping to keep team motivated by communicating clear tasks and actions. 

• Leading the team and being there to support and advise, working closely with them to motivate and drive performance and provide guidance on their career development.  

• Development of digital and social strategies – you’ll be working together with the regional digital team to craft integrated ideas and campaigns for clients  

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with clients and improve the company’s reputation in terms of delivery and quality. 

  

Who are you? 

• At least 8 years of relevant PR and Communications experience, with some PR agency experience and an understanding of Consumer clients.  

• A brilliant understanding of what makes an earned story – and how to make them travel across multiple channels 

• An excellent communicator, you build connections and trust quickly with the people around you 

• Previous experience of managing a team and a natural leader and mentor. You’ll enjoy developing and nurturing talent and be able to quickly identify areas of development and execute training where needed.   

• Strategic mindset – you will be able to anticipate potential roadblocks and keep ahead of the curve with emerging trends 

• Proven project management skills, leading multiple teams, as well as interagency, to deliver work that 

• Strong social and digital acumen – highly competent at developing and executing influencer programs, social listening and wider digital and social strategies 

• Experience in planning and execution of multi-channel communications strategies and tactics 

• Fluent in both Japanese and English and a strong  and confident communicator when presenting to clients and dealing with internal stakehdolders.  

  

COMPANY OVERVIEW 

Part of The Weber Shandwick Collective, 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 and PRovoke Global SABRES’ 2024 Global Healthcare Agency of the Year, as well as being listed on the Ad Age A-List 2024 and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies 2024.   

  

TWSC VALUES   

Everything we do at TWSC is rooted in our core values of CURIOSITY, INCLUSION, COURAGE and IMPACT.  

We believe that the world of work has changed, which is why we have developed a unique employee experience that reflects the world we’re living in. Here’s what we offer:   

Flexible Working – We understand the need for flexible working and empower our employees to deliver impactful work wherever they are based.   

Global Mobility –We unlock opportunities for our employees by utilising our powerful network, and through our mobility initiative Access All Areas, which includes policies on ‘Work from Anywhere’, ‘International Relocation’ and our global ‘Explorer Program’   

Inclusive Culture – We look for qualified people from all backgrounds who are restless, curious and want to deliver impactful work in an environment where everyone can be their authentic selves. We strive every day to foster as inclusive a culture as possible.  

Mental Health and Wellbeing – Helping our people stay happy, healthy, and productive is our number one priority, so we’ll support your day-to-day life with our bespoke Intellect wellbeing offering.   

  

A note on inclusion 

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. 

#LI-LW1

About this Position:
We are looking for an experienced Senior Account Manager to join our growing “China Go Global” team in Shenzhen. In the role, you’ll be leading the way in bringing Chinese brands to the biggest overseas stages—by developing new and existing relationships with international media, regularly liaising with clients and generating and executing ideas to land earned coverage. As an ideal candidate, you’ll have 6 to 8 years of experience across consumer tech, mobile internet, retail, EV and/or new energy sectors and you’ll have skillfully managed 2 to 3 direct-reporting team members.

Key Responsibilities:
• Client Management – Maintain daily liaison with clients to ensure project execution. Balance workload between accounts and account staff to ensure that all work is accurate and completed within established deadlines.
• Content Development – Generate story ideas, develop structure and drafts for a variety of platforms and styles.
• Media Relations – Develop media strategies, identify suitable media and reporters/influencers, draft pitches and conduct outreach to international media, maintain regular communication with reporters and influencers. Paid media collaboration is also an important part of daily work.
• New Business – Proactively establish and improve relationships with potential clients, lead and participate in new business acquisition, optimize company credentials, case studies and other materials.
• Team management – Supervise 1 to 2 direct reports and interns, help junior staff to grow.

Skills and Experience:
Essentials
• Excellent command of English and Chinese, both spoken and written
• Bachelor’s Degree (or above)
• Equipped with 6 to 8 years of experience in PR/MKT/Media profession, preferably with a background in technology communications (preferably within a PR agency environment)
• Comfortable with different writing styles, able to lead/co-lead conceptual and executional copywriting for formal news releases, biographies, video copy, speeches, and presentations
• A natural communicator with a solutions-oriented mindset and a quick learner
• Well-developed time management skills with an acute sense of urgency
• Open-minded, cross-cultural, and eager to work with people from different backgrounds
Desired but nonessential
• A desire to lead by example and to take the initiative
• Overseas paid media experience