Senior Director, Corporate Communications

at Kyowa Kirin International plc

Marlow, UK

WE PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF MEDICINE.

LEAPING FORWARD TO MAKE PEOPLE SMILE

At Kyowa Kirin International (KKI), our purpose is to make people smile. This means more than drug discovery and development; it is about embedding care into everything we do to make a difference every day for those that need it most. We’re an inclusive pharmaceutical company that takes time to understand what really matters to our patients, their families, and their healthcare professionals, helping our people to take bold actions that deliver life-changing solutions sooner. Our culture is rooted in our values: Teamwork, Commitment to Life, Innovation, and Integrity. They help us to push boundaries to deliver extraordinary impact and make KKI a brilliant place to work.

Job Purpose

Lead global Corporate Communications activities that drive awareness and understanding about Kyowa Kirin and our ambition as a company by building our profile and reputation among key external stakeholders.

Key activities include corporate strategy, messaging and materials development; establishing thought-leadership programs on core subjects; creation and oversight of corporate communication channels including websites, social media, etc.; crisis and issues management; and support for regional and country initiatives. Support to C-suite critical.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop a global Corporate Communications Strategy and platform that builds awareness for the company and its employees among key stakeholders
• Develop a clear and compelling corporate narrative and associated materials that tell the story of Kyowa Kirin on the global stage
• Increase overall presence for Kyowa Kirin in relevant media outlets in support of building company reputation
• Be a voice among internal stakeholders for protecting the reputation of KKI to ensure key business decisions are taken with consideration of reputational impact
• Work with the Corporate Communications team to develop and implement innovative programs that demonstrate the brand and story in action; key programs may highlight areas of focus such as science focus; Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; sustainability; access to medicines; etc
• Adapt and manage all corporate channels, including corporate website, social media channels, and others
• Work with relevant teams as part of crisis and issues response planning to ensure protection of company reputation
• Partner with the wider Corporate Communications and Patient Advocacy team, with a campaign mindset, to leverage all milestones across all appropriate channels
• Sit on the Global Corporate Communications and Patient Advocacy Leadership team and help drive the functional strategy and approach within the business. Identify opportunities for improvement and implement necessary changes as a part of the wider team
• Lead a team of communications professionals, inspiring and engaging them in their roles and building a Super Team with Shared Vision. Focus on team growth and development

• Batchelors degree in journalism, communications preferred; deep experience in communications, and proven experience in corporate communications specifically, including in-house experience; agency experience a plus
• Fluent in both written and spoken English; Japanese language a plus; experience preferably in multiple countries and across global, regional roles in communications
• A deep understanding of healthcare communications, rare disease and pharmaceutical industry environment, with good contacts and networks across the community
• Ability to manage consultants/agencies and work in a cross-matrix organisation, including working with regional teams across the globe
• Has the competency, experience, and knowledge to effectively collaborate with key internal stakeholders to influence the direction of global strategies; experience working with C-suite is a must

Kyowa Kirin International is an equal opportunities employer.

No agencies please.