Media Relations & Reputation Assistant Manager (#627)

This is an Assistant Manager position reporting to the General Manager of Media Relations & Reputation. As a member of the Media Relations & Reputation team, the role is responsible for planning and executing external communications activities across multiple business entities within a leading international insurance group in Japan. The role covers a broad range of corporate and business topics aligned with the company's strategic priorities, rather than being assigned to one specific business area. The successful candidate will play an important role in strengthening corporate reputation, managing media relations, and ensuring clear, consistent, and effective external communications.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute external communications for assigned projects with an appropriate level of independence.

• Develop effective communications plans and high-quality content, including press releases, key messages, Q&As, and media briefing materials.

• Ensure the quality, accuracy, and consistency of external communications materials, including fact-checking, message validation, corporate profile information, and other key corporate communications content.

• Build and maintain relationships with national, business, financial, and industry media, while identifying and developing proactive media opportunities.

• Identify communications opportunities and potential reputational risks, responding appropriately and escalating issues when necessary.

• Collaborate effectively with business and functional stakeholders across multiple business entities in Japan, as well as global communications teams.

• Coordinate with Communications, Brand, Sustainability, Distribution, and other business functions to ensure aligned and consistent external messaging.

• Support reputation risk management and crisis communications, particularly in the development and execution of communications materials and responses.

• Manage corporate-owned media channels, including corporate websites and social media platforms.

• Actively leverage company-approved AI and digital tools to enhance the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of communications activities.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent. A qualification in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field is an advantage.

• Solid professional experience in corporate communications, public relations, media relations, or a related communications function, either in-house or at an agency. Seven or more years of relevant experience is preferred, although the depth and quality of experience will also be considered.

• Experience planning and executing external communications projects with an appropriate level of independence.

• Solid media relations experience and the ability to build effective relationships with journalists.

• Good understanding of corporate reputation management, issues management, and crisis communications.

• Ability to understand business, regulatory, and corporate contexts and translate them into clear, relevant communications content.

• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of internal stakeholders.

• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills in both Japanese and English, including the ability to develop clear and effective communications materials for internal and external audiences.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.

• Sound judgment, integrity, and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential topics.