Employee Communications Specialist III

Kyowa Kirin is a fast-growing global specialty pharmaceutical company that applies state-of-the-art biotechnologies to discover and deliver novel medicines in four disease areas: bone and mineral; intractable hematologic; hematology oncology; and rare disease.  A Japan-based company, our goal is to translate science into smiles by delivering therapies where no adequate treatments currently exist, working from drug discovery to product development and commercialization. In North America, we are headquartered in Princeton, NJ, with offices in California, North Carolina, and Mississauga, Ontario.

The Employee Communications Specialist III plays a hands-on role in delivering internal and external communications at Kyowa Kirin’s first North American manufacturing site in Sanford, NC. 

This position sits on our Site Leadership Team and focuses on executing high-quality, brand-aligned messaging that enhances employee experience, supports culture-building, and promotes the company’s reputation. Responsibilities include planning and delivering employee events, coordinating onboarding and leadership communications, managing visual content and presentations, and ensuring a professional experience for internal and external guests. The role also includes organizing community engagement activities, supporting media relations, and maintaining communication tools and assets. Working closely with HR, site leadership, and the North America Communications team, the Specialist ensures consistent, timely, and impactful communications across all channels.

As an individual contributor, you will embody compassionate, people-centric leadership to guide and support our team. You will collaborate closely with others, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive environment while driving team development. Your work will reflect the organization’s values and integrity in all your actions. Utilizing situational leadership and emotional intelligence, you will align diverse viewpoints, manage stakeholders, and make empathetic decisions to address individual and team needs effectively. You will also be results-oriented, ensuring that your team not only adapts to challenges but also delivers measurable outcomes that align with business objectives. Additionally, you will help teams navigate through change and uncertainty with resilience and clarity, enabling them to adapt to fast-evolving, rapidly scaling environments and meet new challenges in the biotech industry with a patient-focused mindset.

Direct line to Corp Comms and dotted line to Site Lead

Technical Skills, Knowledge, and Experience 

Employee Experience & Culture
•    Plan and execute site-level events that celebrate milestones and foster engagement, including year-end recognition, team-building, and cultural celebrations aligned with Kyowa Kirin North America initiatives.
•    Coordinate onboarding communications, including timely, visually engaging new hire announcements with photos and bios.
•    Maintain a calendar of employee-focused moments to promote visibility and participation.
•    Develop and publish content showcasing employee stories, team accomplishments, and purpose-driven work across newsletters, digital screens, and internal/external platforms.
•    Capture and share key moments through photography and short-form storytelling.
•    Partner with HR and site leadership to implement inclusive, locally relevant programs that reflect Kyowa Kirin’s Kabegoe principles and global initiatives.

Internal Communications & Presentation Support
•    Draft and distribute clear, timely internal communications aligned with Kyowa Kirin’s brand voice.
•    Prepare and refine presentation decks, talking points, and speeches for leadership meetings, town halls, and executive visits.
•    Translate complex information into visually engaging slides and infographics using approved templates.
•    Standardize formats for site communications and presentations to ensure consistency and brand alignment.
•    Train employees and leaders on communication templates and visual best practices.
•    Review and edit communications for tone, clarity, and professionalism.
•    Cascade messaging from leadership initiatives and team-building sessions to employees.
•    Coordinate communications for key programs such as exchange assignments, secondments, and expat transitions.
•    Ensure all communications comply with internal policies and external regulatory guidelines.

Guest Relations & Event Coordination
•    Manage logistics and communications for VIP visits, including signage, agendas, branded materials, and hospitality.
•    Prepare guest-facing materials such as presentation decks and site packets.
•    Ensure a professional, brand-aligned experience through well-organized events.
•    Collaborate with site teams on room setups, catering, signage, and photography.
•    Capture and share highlights from guest visits across communication channels.

Community & External Engagement
•    Represent Kyowa Kirin at local events, school partnerships, and workforce development programs.
•    Organize volunteer activities and build relationships with community organizations.
•    Coordinate with media outlets to share site news and achievements.
•    Monitor local and industry news to support regional reputation.
•    Create and submit multimedia content for Kyowa Kirin’s corporate channels.
•    Maintain a localized editorial calendar in collaboration with Corporate Communications.
•    Manage a digital media library of photos, videos, and branded assets.
•    Maintain vendor contacts for communications-related services.
•    Archive communications materials for future use.
•    Support emergency and crisis communications in coordination with site and corporate teams.

Education
•    Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field such as Communications, Organizational Development, Human Resources, Business, Marketing, Psychology, Public Relations, Public Administration, or Talent Management.
•    Master’s degree preferred, particularly in disciplines related to organizational culture, strategic communications, or employee experience.

Experience
•    Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in employee experience, employee engagement, internal communications, talent branding, HR, or project/program management.
•    Proven ability to communicate clearly, coordinate cross-functional activities, and collaborate effectively across diverse teams.
•    Demonstrated success working directly with senior leaders, managing competing priorities, and delivering high-impact, high-quality outcomes.
•    Strong interest in organizational culture, leadership messaging, and employee experience, with a growth mindset and alignment to a values-driven environment.
•    High level of discretion and sound judgment, especially when handling sensitive or confidential matters.
•    Experience in dynamic, high-complexity environments; biotech, pharmaceutical, or manufacturing startup experience is a strong plus.
•    Cultural awareness and ability to work effectively across global teams, including North America, Japan, and other international partners.

Technical Skills
•    Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with photography, videography, social media, and editing tools is preferred.
•    Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft executive-level messaging and compelling storytelling content.
•    Strong organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills; proactive in anticipating needs and driving follow-through.
•    Professional presence and confidence when engaging with executives, vendors, and employees at all levels.
•    Ability to manage multiple projects independently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
•    Experience in internal and external coordination, stakeholder engagement, and program management.
•    Proven event planning experience, including all-employee meetings, leadership forums, site-wide events, and VIP visits.

Non-Technical Skills
Results-oriented and able to navigate ambiguity, you set clear outcomes, track progress, follow through on commitments, and ensure your actions lead to measurable results that advance organizational objectives. Respond promptly, take accountability, and manage tasks efficiently. Adapt to change with clarity, patience, and understanding, guiding teams through evolving challenges. Exhibit strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a solid work ethic while demonstrating cultural sensitivity and the ability to foster alignment in a global environment. Communicate with care by actively listening and considering others' perspectives, fostering productive, engaging interactions, and managing relationships with kindness. Embrace personal growth through continuous learning and knowledge sharing, maintaining a growth mindset. Promote inclusive collaboration by respecting diverse perspectives and creating a welcoming work environment. Contribute positively by recognizing achievements and encouraging a healthy work-life balance. Collaborate with respect, integrity, and humility, prioritizing collective success over individual gain. Resourceful and proactive, challenge the status quo, drive innovation, and develop creative solutions. Apply an enterprise-wide, holistic mindset, working beyond siloed thinking to deliver cohesive, integrated solutions.

Initially working on a construction site and ultimately in a biotech manufacturing site in Sanford, NC.

Work is 100% on-site.  This is not a hybrid or remote role.  

Requires up to 10% domestic and limited international travel. 

The anticipated salary for this position will be $89,300 to $116,600.  The actual salary offered for this role at commencement of employment may vary based on several factors including but not limited to relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, education (including applicable licenses and certifications, job-based knowledge, location, and other business and organizational needs.

The listed salary is just one component of the overall compensation package. At Kyowa Kirin North America we provide a comprehensive range of benefits including:

• 401K with company matching
• Discretionary Profit Sharing
• Annual Bonus Program (Sales Bonus for Sales Jobs)
• Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule which includes Summer and Winter Shut-Downs, Sick Days and, Volunteer Days
• Healthcare Benefits (Medical, Dental, Prescription Drugs and Vision)
• HSA & FSA Programs
• Well-Being and Work/Life Programs
• Long-Term Incentive Program (subject to job level and performance)
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Concierge Service
• Pet Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Referral Awards

The compensation and benefits information set forth in this posting applies to candidates hired in the United States. Candidates hired outside the United States will be eligible for compensation and benefits in accordance with their local market.

KKNA and all of its employees have an obligation to act in accordance with the law and with integrity in all our operations and interactions

It is the policy of Kyowa Kirin North America, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, religion, creed, color, pregnancy, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or affection preference or citizenship status or any other category protected by law.

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Recruitment & Staffing Agencies

Kyowa Kirin does not accept agency resumes unless contacted directly by internal Kyowa Kirin Talent Acquisition. Please do not forward resumes to Kyowa Kirin employees or any other company location; Kyowa Kirin is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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