Senior Manager, APAC, Media and Science comms

Job Description:   

The Regional Media Relations & Science Communications Lead for Asia Pacific is responsible for shaping and protecting the company’s reputation by driving proactive and reactive media engagement and translating complex science and data into clear, compelling communications for priority external and internal audiences across the region. The role partners closely with market communicators, Medical/Clinical/Regulatory/Legal stakeholders, and global communications teams to deliver consistent narratives, strong spokesperson preparation, and effective issues and risk management.  

This position will develop and execute science-forward storytelling that supports scientific milestones, congress moments, pipeline/data updates, and innovation narratives—ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with enterprise messaging and governance requirements for external communications. 

The position is based in the Asia region and reports to the Executive Director, Asia Pacific, and the Intercon regional lead, Corporate Affairs, with a dotted line to the global media relations team.  

Job Responsibilities  

APAC Internal Communications & Executive Communications 

• Partner with the regional lead to develop and execute an integrated internal communications strategy that supports business priorities, organizational change, and employee engagement across the region.  

• Drive executive communications for including: 

• Town halls, leadership forums, and regional events 

• Leadership announcements, organizational updates, and key business milestones 

• Preparation materials (speaking notes, scripts, Q&A, briefing documents) 
  Partner with HR, market Corporate Affairs teams, and other functions to deliver employee engagement initiatives and change communications, ensuring employees understand the organization’s strategy, priorities, and evolution.  

• Ensure all internal communication activities reinforce company values, culture, and purpose, strengthening employee pride, belonging, and alignment across APAC. 

• Leverage data and insights (e.g., engagement metrics, feedback channels) to continuously improve internal communications effectiveness and inform future strategies. 

Regional Media Relations Strategy & Execution (APAC) 

• Develop and execute an integrated APAC media relations strategy (earned media, story angles, executive visibility) aligned with business priorities and enterprise narrative.  

• Build and maintain relationships with priority regional media (business, health, science, trade), in partnership with market Corporate Affairs leads and external agency support where applicable.  

• Lead proactive pitching and media planning around priority moments (scientific milestones, leadership visibility, corporate initiatives) and ensure the region is prepared for fast-moving news cycles.  

Science Communications  

• Translate scientific data, research findings, and technical information into clear, engaging content for multiple formats (press materials, articles, presentations, digital/social content, briefing documents) for the region  

• Develop and maintain core science-forward foundational messaging and ensure adoption and amplification across markets and channels in Asia Pacific, in partnership with the market leads  

• Partner with scientists, medical and therapeutic area SMEs to gather inputs, ensure accuracy, and simplify complex concepts for non-expert audiences.  

• Support planning and communications for scientific events, conferences, and medical meetings, including materials development and coordination across stakeholders.  

Media Inquiry Management, Spokesperson Preparation & Interview Support 

• Manage reactive media inquiries in APAC, coordinating quickly with relevant SMEs and cross-functional partners.  

• Prepare spokespersons through key messages, Q&As, briefing documents, mock interview preparation, and interview staffing as needed. Ensure all media engagement steps follow established governance (including routing, vetting, preparation steps, and recaps/coverage tracking where relevant) 

Issues & Crisis Communications (Science- and Reputation-Linked) 

• Monitor and assess emerging issues, public sentiment, and media coverage related to scientific topics and corporate reputation across APAC; recommend actions and messaging to mitigate risk.  

• Partner with regional/market Corporate Affairs and global teams to ensure timely alignment on sensitive issues and response strategies (including investigative or high-profile inquiries).  

Global and stakeholder alignment  

• Ensure communications comply with applicable regulatory, legal, and ethical standards; coordinate reviews and approvals with appropriate stakeholders.  

• Apply company external engagement policy expectations (including Corporate Affairs involvement in media engagement and required coordination for certain interactions).  

• Serve as a connective tissue across functions (Medical, Market Access/Policy, R&D interfaces, Commercialization comms partners, market communicators) to ensure message consistency and operational discipline 

Requirements:  

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Business, Sciences, or a related discipline. 

• 10+ years of experience in Corporate Affairs, brand, commercial, or corporate communications 

• Demonstrated business acumen and experience in the life sciences, biotech or pharmaceutical industries. 

• Excellent matrix management  

• Exceptional collaborative and teaming skills; Ability to interact effectively with colleagues and counterparts at all levels of the company, both within the Corporate Affairs team and across the larger matrix.