Senior Director, Head of Media Relations & Issues Communications

Scorpion Therapeutics; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda in Washington, DC, is seeking a Senior Head of Media & Issues Communications to lead global media relations, issues management, and crisis strategy, with a focus on enhancing corporate reputation.

The role requires guiding senior leadership, building cross-functional Centers of Excellence, and driving organizational capability across the biopharma landscape. Hybrid work in Washington, D.C. is expected, with no travel specified.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or related field.
• 15+ years in media relations and corporate communications, ideally within biopharma, with proven leadership of global teams and enterprise programs.
• Experience with pharmaceutical industry issues, health and science media, and complex global stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• lead enterprise media strategies
• build relationships with global media and stakeholders
• serve as primary spokesperson
• develop crisis protocols and training
• establish Centers of Excellence for media and issues, ensuring organizational capability, consistency, and best practices
• advise senior leadership on reputational risks and crisis response
• foster cross-functional collaboration across communications, Legal, Public Affairs, and Executive teams

Skills

deep media relationships

crisis management expertise

strategic influence

executive presence

exceptional communication skills

Education

Bachelor's in communications, journalism, or related field

Job description

Role

Senior Head of Media & Issues Communications at Takeda, overseeing global media relations, issues management, and crisis strategy to enhance corporate reputation.

Responsibilities

• lead enterprise media strategies
• build relationships with global media and stakeholders
• serve as primary spokesperson
• develop crisis protocols and training
• establish Centers of Excellence for media and issues, ensuring organizational capability, consistency, and best practices
• advise senior leadership on reputational risks and crisis response
• foster cross-functional collaboration across communications, Legal, Public Affairs, and Executive teams

Requirements

• Bachelor's in communications, journalism, or related field
• 15+ years in media relations and corporate communications, ideally within biopharma, with proven leadership of global teams and enterprise programs

Skills

• deep media relationships
• crisis management expertise
• strategic influence
• executive presence
• exceptional communication skills

High-value biopharma specifics

experience with pharmaceutical industry issues, health and science media, and complex global stakeholder engagement

Location

Washington, D.C., hybrid setup; no travel specified.

Additional comments

The role emphasizes strategic leadership, organizational capability building, and global reputation management within the biopharma sector.