Head, Patient Advocacy & Communications, Japan Oncology Business Unit / 日本オンコロジー事業部 ペイシェントアドボカシー＆コミュニケーション部 部長

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Job Description

Patient Advocacy ＆Communication （PA&C） Head is a critical role for Japan Oncology Business Unit (JOBU), establishing the external / internal communication and patient advocacy strategy and effectively executing it with the team.

Establishing implicit trust and enhancing our reputation in the society is a key driver to pursue our vision “We aspire to cure cancer”, and external communication is a critical component of it. Furthermore, JOBU believes in the power of people when the team is fully committed toward the same direction, and internal communication is the driver. In this context, (s)he will lead JOBU’s CSR and donation initiatives, ensuring they are strategically aligned with our patient-centric priorities, governed through appropriate processes, and communicated effectively to strengthen trust and reputation.

In addition to that, understanding and amplifying patient voices is central in driving our business and delivering innovative medicines. The patient perspective informs clinical trial design, educates how a cancer diagnosis truly impacts people and their families, informs our strategy to drive policy changes that support　comprehensive cancer care, and provides real world insights into how our medicines make an impact.

This is why patient advocacy and communications are integrated in one function.

PA&C Head is accountable for leading to create the vision, formulate the strategy, and lead the execution of patient advocacy and communications for JOBU, by managing her/his own team and engaging other leaders and employees with her/his inclusive leadership. Managing the stakeholders to leverage the unique structure of JOBU, being an fully-integrated independent BU within the broader organization, would be one of the key success factors of the role.

(S)he also has the responsibility to lead and manage the broader JOBU business, as a member of the Japan Oncology Leadership Team (JOLT).

On top of it, (s)he is expected to contribute to activities of patient advocacy and communications across Global Oncology Business Unit (GOBU) as a member of GOBU Comms Leadership Team.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Patient Advocacy

Take a lead in :

• Formulate short- and medium- to long-term strategy for patient advocacy activities
• Build a solid relationship of trust with patient advocacy groups
• Implement thoroughly compliance through appropriate process management in collaborations with patient advocacy groups
• Build a mechanism for patients and their families to enrich their knowledge of diseases and treatments related to cancer
• Promote internal activities for employees to deepen their understandings on the feelings of patients and their families and support them.
• Support activities and events hosted by patient advocacy groups

 <Main internal stakeholders>

Work closely with :

Global Oncology Communications, Each division/department within JOBU (Especially Medical Affaiars), R&D function

Communications

Take a lead in :

• Formulate short- and medium- to long-term strategy for internal/external communication
• Strengthen the reputation and brand of JOBU through effective means and contents of communications
• Ensure transparency to external stakeholders through timely and appropriate information disclosure
• Make an effective external communications through appropriate management of external media based on the proper relationship with them
• Enhance employee engagement through accurate and effective internal communication activities

<Main internal stakeholders>

Work closely with :

Global Oncology Communications, Each division/department within JOBU, and JPBU
 

CSR & Donations

Take a lead in :

• Develop and execute a CSR and strategic donation plan aligned with JOBU’s patient-centric vision and communication strategy, in close collaboration with relevant internal functions.
• Establish governance and ensure compliance for all CSR/donation activities, including due diligence, documentation, approval processes, and transparent record management.
• Measure and communicate the impact of CSR and donation initiatives through clear objectives, KPIs, and internal/external communications as appropriate.

<Main internal stakeholders>

Work closely with :

Finance, Legal/Ethics & Compliance, JPBU, and Global Oncology Communications.
 

Leadership Team

Demonstrate her/his leadership in managing broader business and making decisions as a member of the leadership teams below

• Japan Oncology Leadership Team (JOLT)
• Global Oncology Patient Advocacy & Communications Leadership Team

Team Management

• Hire, coach, develop, inspire, motivate and retain talents in her/his team
• Elevate organizational capabilities for sustainable operations.  
• Partner with cross functional groups by providing expertise and insights, and well founded recommendations. 
• Create a compelling and robust development and succession plan for her/his position

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

Educational Background

• BA/BS degree
• MBA or relevant Master degree is preferred.

Professional Background and Expertise

• Minimum of 5+ years working experience in developing and executing communication strategies (Investors Relations / Customer Relations / Employee Relations) by managing effectively external venders, agencies and media
• Working experience in pharmaceutical industry (Understanding legal restrains, regulations and business practice related to the pharmaceutical industry) is a plus.
• Working experience in a consulting firm on a communication strategy of healthcare/pharmaceutical industries is a plus
• Working experience in leading jobs/projects related to patient advocacy is a plus.
• Ability to demonstrate agility to adapt fast-changing external environments
• Project management skills in resourcing, timeline to provide hands-on coaching to team members
• Very keen on newfangled digital technology.

Leadership and Management Capabilities

• Experience in managing people/a team.
• Experience to lead a change management
• Excellent capability to manage multilple projects parallelly in collaboration with related functions
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence, lead, negotiate and work effectively at all levels within a matrix and multi-cultural environment by embracing “Diversity and Inclusion”.
• Enthusiasm, confidence, aibility to develop capability of the organization and indivuals in his/her team.
• Capability of demonstrating enterprise strategic thinking, initiative and creativity.
• Strong in problem identification as well as problem solving with prioritization in implementation

Values

• A firm belief of “Patient Centricity”.
• A strong commitment to contribute to curing cancer.

Languages

• Japanese : Ability to communicate or understand written or listening in local Japanese language after appointment (N-3 level within 6 months to reach N-2 level within a year upon assignment)
• English : Excellent in writing and speaking to work effectively with global organization

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Oncology Business Unit (OBU) is an independent business unit with all core functions (e.g. Patient Advocacy & Comms, Medical Affairs, Access, ComEx, Business Operations, Marketing, and Sales) embedded within the BU to ensure agile and flexible decision making in the fast-changing world.
• Japan OBU, established in 2015, is fully responsible for the oncology business of Takeda in Japan, and reports directly to the Global OBU structure. This structure enables the organization to take the advantage of close connection with the Global Organization, as well as to foster the mindset of a biotech-like agility. It has more than doubled its business and organization in the past few years, and will be the key driver for growth of GOBU in the coming years with multiple launches expected.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Position Location: Nishonbashi Hon-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
• Reasonable domestic/international travel required
• Hybrid working style with on-site and remote (required working in the office about 30% of business days)

タケダのDE＆I

Better Health, Brighter Future

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary:

• Allowances: Commutation, Housing, Overtime Work etc.

• Salary Increase: Annually, Bonus Payment: Twice a year

• Working Hours: Headquarters (Osaka/ Tokyo) 9:00-17:30, Production Sites (Osaka/ Yamaguchi) 8:00-16:45, (Narita) 8:30-17:15, Research Site (Kanagawa) 9:00-17:45

• Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, May Day, Year-End Holidays etc. (approx. 123 days in a year)

• Paid Leaves: Annual Paid Leave, Special Paid Leave, Sick Leave, Family Support Leave, Maternity Leave, Childcare Leave, Family Nursing Leave.

• Flexible Work Styles: Flextime, Telework

• Benefits: Social Insurance, Retirement and Corporate Pension, Employee Stock Ownership Program, etc.

Important Notice concerning working conditions:

• It is possible the job scope may change at the company’s discretion.

• It is possible the department and workplace may change at the company’s discretion.

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