Head of Stores Communications, Japan, ISCC (International Stores & Corporate Comms)
Amazon Japan is seeking an experienced, strategic communications leader to serve as Head of Stores Communications. This is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and executing the external communications strategy for Amazon's customer-facing business in Japan.
Reporting to the Director of Communications for Japan, you will own the narrative for Amazon's Stores business across all earned media channels. You will lead proactive storytelling that drives awareness and trust among Japanese customers while managing reactive communications and issues that affect brand reputation.
This is a role requiring both strategic thinking and hands-on execution. Thriving in a fast-moving environment where the brief can change quickly, you will be able to bring structure, make smart judgements, and move things forward even when the full picture is still forming. You will manage a team of communications professionals and work cross-functionally with business leaders, legal, and global communications counterparts to deliver integrated campaigns that advance Amazon's mission in Japan.
At Amazon, you'll work alongside the latest AI and GenAI tools that are increasingly woven into how teams operate: from AI-powered capabilities that accelerate decision-making, to Generative AI that helps you focus on work that truly matters. You'll have opportunities and resources to develop AI fluency at your own pace, with continuous learning built into the culture.
Key job responsibilities
The morning might start with reviewing a press release for a new service launch, then move into a strategy session on positioning Japan's next big shopping event for local media. By lunch, it's coaching a team member on stakeholder messaging for a new customer benefit, followed by a cross-functional review shaping the narrative for an executive keynote. Between meetings, there's Japanese news coverage to scan, global counterparts to align with, and talking points to edit for a senior leader interview - all in close coordination with colleagues. The work covers everything from media relations to executive communications, and it directly shapes how customers and partners in Japan understand Amazon's story.
About the team
The International Stores and Corporate Communications (ISCC) team for Amazon Japan promotes and protects Amazon's reputation in the country, targeting both opinion-leader and general audiences through earned, owned, and paid channels. The team conveys Amazon's positive impact on customers, companies, communities, and the country. Teamwork sits at the heart of how ISCC operates, with everyone contributing across disciplines and supporting each other. The team works in close partnership with local business leaders and collaborates with global communications counterparts across over 30 countries to keep Japan's story connected to the wider Amazon narrative.
Reporting to the Director of Communications for Japan, you will own the narrative for Amazon's Stores business across all earned media channels. You will lead proactive storytelling that drives awareness and trust among Japanese customers while managing reactive communications and issues that affect brand reputation.
This is a role requiring both strategic thinking and hands-on execution. Thriving in a fast-moving environment where the brief can change quickly, you will be able to bring structure, make smart judgements, and move things forward even when the full picture is still forming. You will manage a team of communications professionals and work cross-functionally with business leaders, legal, and global communications counterparts to deliver integrated campaigns that advance Amazon's mission in Japan.
At Amazon, you'll work alongside the latest AI and GenAI tools that are increasingly woven into how teams operate: from AI-powered capabilities that accelerate decision-making, to Generative AI that helps you focus on work that truly matters. You'll have opportunities and resources to develop AI fluency at your own pace, with continuous learning built into the culture.
Key job responsibilities
- Develop and execute the annual Stores communications strategy for Japan, aligned with business priorities and global direction
- Build compelling narratives around key retail moments and business milestones
- Advise senior business leaders on communications strategy, messaging, and spokesperson preparation
- Integrate Stores comms with broader Japan communications priorities
- Manage day-to-day media relations with Japanese national, business, trade, and digital media
- Serve as a trusted counsel on reactive and issues-based communications, escalating appropriately and coordinating rapid response
- Brief and prepare spokespeople for media interviews, press conferences, and industry events
- Monitor media landscape and competitor activity to identify risks and opportunities
- Partner with Japan business leaders to understand priorities and surface stories
- Coordinate with global counterparts to adapt international campaigns for the Japan context and share local successes globally
- Collaborate with agency partners to extend reach and execution capacity
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of Stores communications professionals in Japan
- Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and conduct performance reviews
- Nurture a high-performing team grounded in Amazon's Leadership Principles
- Foster an inclusive, collaborative environment where team members can do their best work
- Manage team workload, prioritisation, and resource allocation across competing demands
The morning might start with reviewing a press release for a new service launch, then move into a strategy session on positioning Japan's next big shopping event for local media. By lunch, it's coaching a team member on stakeholder messaging for a new customer benefit, followed by a cross-functional review shaping the narrative for an executive keynote. Between meetings, there's Japanese news coverage to scan, global counterparts to align with, and talking points to edit for a senior leader interview - all in close coordination with colleagues. The work covers everything from media relations to executive communications, and it directly shapes how customers and partners in Japan understand Amazon's story.
About the team
The International Stores and Corporate Communications (ISCC) team for Amazon Japan promotes and protects Amazon's reputation in the country, targeting both opinion-leader and general audiences through earned, owned, and paid channels. The team conveys Amazon's positive impact on customers, companies, communities, and the country. Teamwork sits at the heart of how ISCC operates, with everyone contributing across disciplines and supporting each other. The team works in close partnership with local business leaders and collaborates with global communications counterparts across over 30 countries to keep Japan's story connected to the wider Amazon narrative.
Basic Qualifications
- 12+ years of professional communications, public relations, or public affairs experience
- Bachelor's degree in a related field
- Speak, write, and read fluently in English, and have the ability to take direction in English
- Fluent in written and spoken business-level Japanese
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing multiple agencies and budgets
- Proven ability to thrive in an international team