Senior Manager, Corporate Communications

OVERVIEW

Weber Shandwick is one of the world’s leading global communications and marketing solutions firms with offices in 79 cities and a network extending to 120 cities on 6 continents. In the Asia Pacific region, the firm operates in 18 markets including owned as well as affiliates and representative firms in other locales – spanning Greater China, Japan and Korea, India and Southeast Asia.  Our heritage in Asia Pacific stretches back more than 60 years.

In our financial communications work, we advise public and private companies across industries on strategic and capital markets communications efforts that best position them among relevant stakeholders. Our engagements span the normal-course financial lifecycle (e.g., quarterly earnings, proxy statements) and transformative events (e.g., M&A/post-merger integration, IPO, litigation, bankruptcy, activism, executive management transitions, labor issues). We collaborate closely in these engagements with both the C-suite and key IR/PR personnel.  

About the Opportunity:

We are seeking a senior-level financial communications professional to join our growing global Financial Communications and Capital Markets practice, based in Tokyo. This is a high-impact role advising Japanese and multinational clients on complex corporate events and strategic issues including mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, restructurings, executive transitions, spin-offs, litigation, sustainability matters, regulatory developments, and investor relations.

This role is ideal for a seasoned practitioner with extensive experience in financial communications, issues management, and corporate reputation strategy—someone who thrives in high-stakes environments and can translate complex financial and regulatory information into clear, compelling narratives for stakeholders in Japan and globally.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead/support a range of financial communications and special situations, including M&A, shareholder activism, defense against short-sellers, bankruptcies, initial public offerings, series financing, as well as earnings support and other ongoing investor relations activities
• Serve as a senior advisor to clients in Japan on a range of financial communications and capital markets matters
• Support clients in articulating a differentiated investment story that resonates with global and domestic investors, regulators, and the media
• Draft and review investor-facing materials such as earnings releases, IR presentations, Q&A documents, press releases, and executive speeches
• Drive proactive and reactive media relations, leveraging relationships with top-tier Japanese and international financial media
• Collaborate closely with other Weber Shandwick teams/offices and external partners such as legal counsel, IR firms, accounting advisors, on financial comms assignments

Strategic Leadership

• Manage the day-to-day relationships between internal teams and clients, ensuring high-quality and timely delivery of all communications materials
• Support thought leadership activities that better position Weber Advisory for capital markets and financial comms work
• Hire, mentor and develop junior team members and contribute to a collaborative team culture
• Ensure profitability of individual accounts, and sustained growth of the Financial Communications and Capital Markets business
• Participate in business development efforts and help grow the firm’s presence in Japan and the broader APAC region

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• 8+ years of relevant experience in financial communications, investor relations, strategic consulting, corporate affairs, or equity research
• Deep knowledge of Japan’s capital markets, financial reporting, disclosure regulations (e.g. TSE rules, FSA guidelines), and corporate governance practices
• Strong understanding of institutional and retail investor dynamics in Japan and across APAC
• Proven ability to advise C-suite executives and senior leadership during transformational events and sensitive situations
• Exceptional writing, storytelling, and messaging skills in native Japanese; English language proficiency is a strong advantage
• Thrives under pressure and can handle multiple projects in a demanding, deadline-oriented environment, while maintaining meticulous attention to detail
• Strong media relations experience with a track record of managing top-tier financial media
• Demonstrated proficiency with AI-powered tools transforming the PR industry, including content generation platforms, media monitoring systems, and data analytics tools. Highly organized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented, with excellent time management and project leadership skills
• Comfortable working in cross-cultural, cross-functional teams across time zones
• Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and grow high-performing teams

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with financial database such as Bloomberg, S&P Cap IQ, FactSet, Refinitiv, as well as media databases including Cision, MuckRackStays current with emerging AI technologies and actively explores how these tools can enhance strategic communications, streamline workflows, and deliver measurable results for fin
• ancial services clients.
• Has experience directly counseling clients/senior ranking executives through a broad range of financial events, issues and special situations
• Has experience with reputation management and promoting/protecting brands through integrated communications programs
• Experienced and interested in supporting new business/cross-selling efforts
• Experience working with multinational clients or in a global agency is a plus
• Experience developing crisis communication plans, talking points, stakeholder messaging, and internal communications strategies
• Media and crisis training experience are a plus

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.

Personal data held by Weber Shandwick relating to employment applications will be used in accordance with our Recruiting Privacy Statement, which is available on our website.

Due to the large number of applications received, we apologize if we are unable to provide a response or feedback on unsuccessful applications. We appreciate the time taken to apply for the role and your recent interest in Weber Shandwick.

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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?

Join our vibrant Tokyo team where cultural insight meets bold ideas. Weber Shandwick is seeking a talented and proactive Senior Manager / Account Director (title commensurate with experience) to join our growing Consumer practice, working with top-tier domestic and global brands across lifestyle, hospitality (hotels & resorts), food & beverage, consumer devices, and consumer goods. This is an exciting opportunity for a mid-level communications professional who is passionate about developing integrated campaigns that resonate with Japanese consumers. You will work closely with both clients and internal teams to support strategic planning, lead media and influencer outreach, and deliver exceptional results that drive brand impact.

What Will You Be Doing?

• Serve as a day-to-day contact for clients, managing communications projects and helping to ensure quality execution
• Translate global brand strategies into locally relevant storytelling for the Japanese market
• Lead media and influencer relations efforts, including developing pitches, securing coverage, and building relationships with lifestyle and consumer journalists
• Monitor cultural, consumer, and category trends to identify proactive PR opportunities
• Support campaign planning, project timelines, and reporting, working closely with internal strategy, creative, and digital teams
• Partner with external vendors including event agencies, content creators, and production teams to bring ideas to life
• Manage account budgets and activity tracking with precision
• Contribute to proposal development and assist with new business opportunities
• Help guide and mentor junior staff members, offering feedback and supporting their growth
• Participate in internal workshops and cross-team collaboration to continue building your skills and knowledge

Who Are You?

• 5–7 years of experience in public relations or integrated communications, ideally in a PR agency setting
• Strong interest and/or background in consumer sectors such as lifestyle, hospitality, food & beverage, consumer devices and consumer goods
• Native-level Japanese communication skills, with strong verbal and written English proficiency
• Experience developing and executing media strategies, and maintaining strong relationships with lifestyle and national media in Japan
• Comfortable collaborating with global teams and translating high-level strategies into locally actionable plans
• Skilled in managing multiple projects simultaneously, with strong attention to detail and timelines
• Confident communicator and thoughtful team player who contributes proactively
• Familiar with influencer and digital campaign execution in the Japanese market
• Passionate about cultural trends and creative storytelling

What You’ll Bring to the Team

• A collaborative mindset and positive energy
• Curiosity for Japanese consumer culture and brand storytelling
• Strong work ethic and commitment to high-quality delivery
• A desire to grow as a communications professional within a supportive and global environment

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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Weber Shandwick Tokyo is seeking a dedicated Vice President to lead client programs of our expanding Healthcare Practice. This is a strategic role for an experienced communications professional who is passionate about driving meaningful impact — partnering closely with clients, leading high-performing teams, and advancing healthcare outcomes for patients.

You will integrate scientific expertise, strategic insight, and compelling storytelling — aligning client needs, societal trends, and scientific evidence to develop innovative, effective solutions that enhance awareness and promote behavior change across healthcare companies, their products, and the diseases they address.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning and execution of integrated healthcare communications and public relations programs
• Act as a trusted advisor and project lead for both global and domestic healthcare clients
• Translate complex scientific and regulatory information into clear, compelling narratives across product, brand, corporate, and spokesperson content, ensuring high-quality deliverables
• Drive new business development, from leading pitch strategies to delivering persuasive presentations
• Foster cross-functional collaboration and mentor direct reports and junior team members to support growth and engagement

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in healthcare communications, either in-house or at an agency, preferably within a multinational company
• Strong understanding of Japan’s healthcare environment and regulatory framework, with the ability to execute compliant, multi-channel communications
• Excellent communication and project management skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients, media, and stakeholders
• People management experience, including the ability to lead teams and projects with multiple stakeholders while mentoring team members and maintaining high engagement
• Native-level proficiency in Japanese and business-level proficiency in English, both written and spoken
• Strategic and analytical thinker with strong attention to detail, a growth mindset, and a collaborative approach; demonstrates digital literacy, business acumen, and professional integrity
• A genuine passion for using communications to improve healthcare outcomes

What We Offer

• Opportunities to collaborate with global and domestic prestigious healthcare clients
• A diverse and inclusive professional environment with flexible hybrid working style
• The opportunity to strengthen creative and strategic communication skills that drive real impact for society, supported by global colleagues and a collaborative internal network
• Competitive compensation and benefits

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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