Communications Business Partner Associate Director

About Astellas

Astellas is a global life sciences company committed to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. We provide transformative therapies in disease areas that include oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology and women's health. Through our research and development programs, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need. Learn more at Astellas.com.

Are you driven to make a real difference in the lives of patients?

We're seeking passionate individuals who thrive in dynamic environments, embrace new ideas, and aren't afraid to take intelligent risks. People who act with unwavering integrity and are deeply committed to making a tangible impact.

Purpose and Scope:

The Communications Business Partner serves as a strategic communications advisor and consultant to assigned senior leaders, including members of the C-suite. Reporting through Internal Corporate Communications, the role is responsible for shaping, planning, and delivering integrated communications strategies that advance enterprise priorities, enable organizational clarity, and support effective leadership communication. The Communications Business Partner works proactively with leaders to anticipate communication needs; develop compelling narratives, messages, and presentations; and advise on the most effective channels and approaches to reach internal and external audiences.

This individual operates in a highly matrixed, global environment and is expected to demonstrate strong strategic judgment, change communications expertise, and the ability to counsel leaders through complex, sensitive, and high-impact situations-including issues and crisis communications. The role requires close collaboration with internal and external communications teams, agencies, and vendors to protect and enhance leader credibility, organizational alignment, and Astellas' corporate reputation.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

Executive Communications & Strategic Counsel

• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to assigned senior leaders, providing strategic counsel aligned with enterprise priorities, internal communications strategy, and CIR objectives.
• Define and drive leadership communication strategies, anticipating needs and shaping forward-looking messaging and engagement plans.
• Translate business priorities, change initiatives, and decisions into clear, credible, and audience-appropriate narratives that support leadership effectiveness and enterprise alignment.

Leadership Messaging, Content & Presentations

• Lead development of executive-level communications, including speeches, presentations, organizational messages, town hall content, videos, and written messages for leaders.
• Provide end-to-end content support for C-suite contributions to Media Relations activities, Investor Relations activities, and enterprise publications such as the Integrated Report.
• Translate enterprise narrative, strategy, and performance into relevant and authentic leader messages and compelling storytelling for both internal and external use.

Internal Communications & Channel Strategy

• Design and execute internal communications strategies that drive organizational alignment, employee engagement, and effective change adoption for assigned leaders and functions.
• Provide expert guidance to leaders on channel selection, sequencing, and timing-advising when and how to communicate through enterprise channels such as intranet, enterprise email, town halls, leader cascades, and live engagements.
• Oversee execution of key leadership communications moments, including announcements and organizational updates.

Change Communications Expertise

• Lead and advise on communications for enterprise and functional change initiatives, including transformations, reorganizations, strategy shifts, and major initiatives.
• Apply change communications expertise to ensure clarity, consistency, and employee understanding throughout change journeys.
• Partner with Internal Corporate Communications leadership and stakeholders to align leader messaging with broader enterprise change narratives and corporate initiatives.

External Interface, Media & Reputation Support

• Ensure alignment between internal and external narratives in close partnership with External Corporate Communications.
• Shape assigned leaders' external social media activities, including both content creation and content curation.
• Partnering with External Corporate Communications, support leader preparation for external engagements, including media interviews, conference presentations, analyst or stakeholder engagements, and public appearances.

Issues & Crisis Communications

• Participate in issues and crisis communications planning and execution, including leader preparedness, internal alignment, and coordination with external communications colleagues.
• Advise leaders during issues or crisis situations, supporting message development, internal alignment, and timely execution.
• Collaborate with Internal Corporate Communications and External Corporate Communications leads to manage sensitive and high-impact situations while maintaining confidentiality and governance.
• Ensure internal audiences receive clear, accurate, and timely information that supports trust and stability during challenging situations.

Vendor and Agency Management

• Manage external vendors and agencies that support executive communications, leadership messaging, events, or content development.
• Oversee vendor deliverables, timelines, and quality, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards and communications objectives.
• Identify opportunities to leverage agency expertise effectively while maintaining governance and consistency.

Cross-Functional & Global Collaboration

• Work closely with Communications and Investor Relations colleagues, functional communicators, and regional teams to deliver integrated communications.
• Liaise with global communications partners to maximize leader reach, reputation, and message consistency across regions and audiences.
• Actively identify opportunities to amplify leadership messaging across multiple channels and platforms.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of highly sensitive situations, projects or announcements.