Transformation Communications Lead

About the Role

This Director role leads Takeda's enterprise transformation and change communications capability, which includes establishing a new practice area to help grow and support change communications capabilities across the Global Communications & Governance organization. This leader is also responsible for driving a communications program that engages and activates ~50,000 employees to be part of Takeda's transformation journey, which includes the implementation of a new operating model, expansion of Takeda's global capability model, expanded use of advanced technologies and AI and cultural change and growth. This lead will develop compelling narratives and engagement strategies that reinforce Takeda's values, strengthen employee connection to our purpose and support the adoption of our new ways of working. This role reports to the Head of Employee Engagement & Corporate Site Communications on the Corporate Communications team.

How you will contribute

Change Communications Practice Area

• Establish and grow scalable change communications methodologies, leader enablement programs, communications templates, measurement frameworks and resources that can be deployed consistently and repeatably across the organization
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leaders on change leadership, organizational transformation, employee experience, stakeholder engagement and communications strategies that accelerate business outcomes
• Provide strategic counsel and communications expertise to communicators in different areas of the business experiencing significant change, ensuring the organization has the communications capabilities and capacity required to navigate complex transformation initiatives
• Build and lead a community of communicators to share best practices, collaboratively build resources and coordinate measurement and insights in order to effectively drive priority change communications initiatives

Enterprise-wide Transformation Communications

• Lead internal and external communications strategy for Takeda's current enterprise-wide transformation, as well as future organizational changes and transitions
• Drive global town hall series, executive storytelling and events and other multimedia content that engages a diverse employee audience in new and innovative ways, using measurement and insights to improve content and engagement tactics continually
• Build awareness and adoption of Takeda's culture ambition through storytelling and internal activations
• Create opportunities for two-way dialogue and employee feedback and insights to continuously inform communications approach and messaging
• Serve as the communications lead for Takeda's Transformation Office, developing compelling narratives, resources and engagement strategies to help employees understand Takeda's transformation journey and how we're progressing against our goals
• Serve as communications lead on the Global Capability Model core team, partnering with site communicators and leadership at Global Capability Centers to ensure consistent communications approach both internally and externally
• Maintain intranet presence and corporate materials for Transformation Office and enterprise-wide programs related to transformation
• Collaborate with communications colleagues across business units, functions and countries, as well as Human Resources, Legal and Government Affairs teams to ensure consistent, compliant and strategic messaging related to Takeda's transformation

Executive Visibility

• Lead executive visibility plan for Chief Transformation Officer and other senior executives leading Takeda's transformation, including Head of Global Capability Management
• Write and coordinate internal communications, internal and external speaking engagements and social media posts
• Lead and/or coordinate external earned or owned media opportunities for Takeda

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing or a related field, or relevant work experience
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in corporate communications, with experience in internal HR communications, change communications and the biopharmaceutical industry
• Proven self-starter who continually looks for new opportunities to maximize impact and improve outcomes without specific direction
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with leaders across disciplines, including offering strategic counsel and ensuring appropriate prioritization
• Excellent project management skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and coordinate stakeholders on data and content submissions
• Ability to influence others and drive alignment across diverse teams in matrixed environments
• Strong networking and interpersonal skills to work cross-functionally and build ongoing relationships and knowledge sharing communities with communicators and subject matter experts
• Experience working in an international structure and with varied cultures, along with experience leading communications for diverse employee populations (e.g. non-wired)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong attention to detail and proofreading
• Experience managing external communications agencies and video production
• Ability to demonstrate professionalism, patience and discretion in handling challenging and confidential situations
• Strategic and creative thinking, with the ability to anticipate and address opportunities and challenges
• Ability to multitask effectively and adapt to changing priorities and timelines in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and SharePoint) with strong digital literacy and interest in expanding digital and design skills