Media Public Relations Specialist

As a senior member of the Media Relations & Reputation team, this role is responsible for developing and executing external communications strategies across multiple business entities within a leading organization in the insurance and financial services sector. The role covers a broad range of corporate and business topics aligned with the organization's strategic priorities, rather than being assigned to one specific area. The successful candidate will independently lead complex, high-impact communications projects and provide strategic communications advice to internal stakeholders, helping strengthen corporate reputation and support business objectives.

Key Responsibilities
• Lead external communications projects from strategy development and planning through execution and evaluation.
• Develop compelling communications strategies and narratives across earned and owned channels, aligned with corporate and business priorities.
• 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 strong relationships with key media representatives and relevant external stakeholders to strengthen corporate reputation.
• Identify proactive communications opportunities and potential reputational risks, and recommend appropriate communications approaches.
• Provide strategic communications advice to internal stakeholders on complex, sensitive or high-impact topics.
• Lead or support reputation risk management and crisis communications activities, as appropriate.
• Lead or support the CEO and senior executives in external communications activities, including message development, executive positioning and speaking opportunities.
• Collaborate effectively with global communications teams, relevant business and functional teams, and external PR agency partners to deliver high-quality communications outcomes.
• Coordinate across Communications, Brand, Sustainability, Distribution and other business functions to ensure aligned and consistent external communications.
• Contribute to external stakeholder engagement, including supporting government relations activities as needed.
• Provide advice and support to team members to enhance the quality and effectiveness of external communications.
• Actively leverage company-approved AI and digital tools to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of communications activities, while encouraging their effective adoption across the team.
• Support the General Manager in driving team priorities and achieving the overall objectives of the Media Relations & Reputation function. Required Skills and Experience
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent. A qualification in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or a related field is an advantage.
• Substantial professional experience in corporate communications, public relations, media relations or a related communications function, either in-house or at an agency. Ten or more years of relevant experience is preferred, with 12 or more years considered highly desirable. The depth and quality of experience will also be taken into consideration.
• Proven experience independently leading external communications projects from strategy development through execution.
• Strong media relations experience, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with journalists.
• Strong understanding of corporate reputation management, issues management and crisis communications.
• Ability to quickly understand complex business, regulatory and corporate contexts and translate them into effective communications strategies and content.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to work effectively with senior management and navigate complex organizational environments with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills in both Japanese and English, including the ability to develop high-quality executive and external communications materials.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to independently manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• High levels of judgment, integrity and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential matters. Highly Preferred Qualifications and Experience
• Communications experience in insurance, financial services or another highly regulated industry.
• Experience working in a large global organization, particularly in an environment requiring frequent collaboration with global or regional headquarters.
• Experience working across multiple business entities and managing complex stakeholder relationships within a large matrix organization.
• Experience operating effectively in large, complex and highly regulated organizations requiring extensive cross-functional collaboration and alignment.
• Experience in corporate reputation management, executive communications, and issues and crisis communications.
• Understanding of external stakeholder engagement and government relations in a regulated business environment.