Senior Communications Manager

Job Description

Senior PR & Communications Manager Japan

Location: Tokyo

Zendesk is looking for an experienced and driven communications professional to join our growing team. This position will be based in Tokyo and report to the Director - Communications APAC, who is based in Singapore.

The successful candidate will also work closely with our APAC Communications team as well as our local leadership team in Japan. Your key responsibility will be to lead the development and execution of our communications plan for Japan and drive stellar results. 

With flawless Japanese and English language skills, you will coordinate Zendesk’s day-to-day PR and communications needs, such as developing local public relations campaigns in partnership with our Japan marketing team and PR agency.

Our new team member will be able to quickly develop strong relationships and build rapport with different parts of our business, and be a valuable and strategic partner to achieving our brand’s goals.

What you’ll do every day: 

• Work with the Director - Communications APAC to develop and rollout a local communications plan for Japan, while also being an active contributor and collaborator with our wider global Communications function

• Collaborate with and counsel senior executives, sales, marketing, product and other business functions - locally, regionally and globally

• Develop thought leadership narratives and content that positions Zendesk as a leading customer experience and employee experience SaaS company in Japan

• Prepare and support spokespeople for media interviews and external speaking engagements

• Take the lead in managing content for our various Japanese language channels including content planning and editing, developing both local content and repurposing relevant global content 

• Manage the day-to-day relationship with our Japan PR agency to make sure they deliver great results on time and on budget

• Take the lead on local media relations for global announcements, as well as develop local plans for global campaigns. shaping interesting and engaging content that helps to grow Zendesk’s brand awareness in Japan

• Continuously build relationships with relevant media and industry stakeholders that helps to position Zendesk as a leading enterprise software company in Japan

• Oversee translation and approval of global statements, press releases, presentations and other PR-related and internal communications materials as needed

• Contribute content and ideas to our Japanese social media profiles - Facebook, Twitter

What you’ll bring to the role: 

• More than 5 years of PR or communications experience, ideally with another well known technology brand or a highly regarded PR agency

• Experience contributing to communications plans paired with detailed project management that leads to great results

• Flawless communication skills (oral and written) with a knack for simplifying complex topics - fluent in Japanese and English (reading, writing and speaking) mandatory

• Excellent understanding of media and influencers in the general business and technology sector

• Good understanding of brand messaging and how to weave it through various communications 

• Great people skills: experience working with various cross-functional teams (internal and external), and a willingness to absorb and act on input from all levels to constantly improve and get better results

• Excel in a close knit team and fast-paced environment 

• A desire to contribute to a high performance team and company culture, with an emphasis on work-life balance

• Willingness and ability to travel as needed

#LI-MN4

Hybrid: In this role, our hybrid experience is designed at the team level to give you a rich onsite experience packed with connection, collaboration, learning, and celebration - while also giving you flexibility to work remotely for part of the week. This role must attend our local office for part of the week. The specific in-office schedule is to be determined by the hiring manager.

The intelligent heart of customer experience

Zendesk software was built to bring a sense of calm to the chaotic world of customer service. Today we power billions of conversations with brands you know and love.

Zendesk believes in offering our people a fulfilling and inclusive experience. Our hybrid way of working, enables us to purposefully come together in person, at one of our many Zendesk offices around the world, to connect, collaborate and learn whilst also giving our people the flexibility to work remotely for part of the week.

Zendesk is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster global diversity, equity, & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment and employees at Zendesk are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer. If you are based in the United States and would like more information about your EEO rights under the law, please click here.

Zendesk endeavors to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans pursuant to applicable federal and state law. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to submit this application, complete any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with your specific accommodation request.