Senior Japan Communications Lead
Tokyo
MARKETING – ENGAGEMENT /
PERMANENT CONTRACT (FULL-TIME) /
Hybrid
Back Market is the world’s leading refurbished electronics marketplace with a team of 650 people, powering operations in 21 countries (and counting!).
Named one of the World's Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company in 2019 and again in 2021, our mission is simple: empowering people to consume tech sustainably by offering folks a high quality, accessible, and more eco-friendly alternative to buying new electronics. Why? Refurbished tech helps lower our collective environmental impact. We have indeed contributed to avoid the production of more than 1,000,000 tons of CO2e worldwide since our launch in 2014.
Be part of an exciting and growing international adventure that will change the way the world consumes tech.
Back Market is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior PR Lead to drive and execute the company's communication strategy in Japan. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in crafting and implementing successful communication campaigns, managing media relations, and enhancing the overall brand image. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong leadership skills and the ability to work collaboratively across departments, embracing the startup mentality and contributing to the creation of a new category in the electronics market.
Key Responsibilities
- Devise and execute comprehensive communication strategies aligned with Back Market's business objectives in the Japanese market, considering the startup mentality and category creation aspects.
- Drive awareness and understanding of Back Market's mission, values, and commitment to sustainability in Japan.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key Japanese media outlets, journalists, and influencers.
- Proactively pitch and secure media coverage to enhance Back Market's visibility in the Japanese market.
- Craft and refine key messages, in collaboration with the larger Japan Marketing Team, that effectively communicate Back Market's value proposition to the Japanese audience, including consumers and business partners.
- Ensure consistency in messaging across all communication channels in Japan.
- Develop and implement crisis communication plans to address and mitigate potential issues in the Japanese market effectively.
- Act as a spokesperson for the company during crisis situations in Japan.
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure consistent and transparent communication with employees in Japan, fostering the startup culture.
- Develop and execute internal communication plans to foster employee engagement and alignment with company goals.
- Oversee compelling content creation, including press releases, blog posts, and editorial content tailored for the Japanese market, highlighting the company mission and driving thought leadership.
- Ensure content reflects Back Market's brand voice and resonates with the Japanese target audience.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Marketing/PR, Product, Operations and Sustainability, to align communication efforts with broader business objectives in Japan, actively contributing to the creation of a new market category.
- Collaborate with external agencies and partners in Japan to maximize communication impact.
- Collaborate and align with the Global Communications Team to ensure global strategic consistency while advocating for the unique needs of the Japanese market to ensure local resonance.
- Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of communication strategies in the Japanese market, considering the unique challenges of a startup environment.
- Regularly report on the success of communication campaigns in Japan and recommend adjustments as needed.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field. Master's degree is a plus.
- Proven experience in a senior communication role, preferably in the technology or e-commerce industry, focusing on the Japanese market.
- Strong understanding of sustainability and circular economy concepts.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Japanese and English.
- Demonstrated success in media relations and securing positive media coverage in Japan.
- Crisis communication experience and the ability to remain composed under pressure.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to align communication efforts with business goals.
- Leadership experience in managing a team of communication professionals.
Recruitment Process
- HR Screening
- Hiring Manager Interview
- Internal Stakeholders Interview
- BM Value Interview
If you are passionate about sustainability, possess excellent communication skills, thrive in a startup environment, and have a track record of success in leading communication efforts in the Japanese market, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity to contribute to nurturing and growing an exciting new category that will help save the planet.
WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN US ? ✌🏼
- A meaningful job: you will help avoid thousands of tons of electronic waste and fight against planned obsolescence. It counts!
- A meaningful company: we became a mission-driven company in January 2022.
- Be part of a worldwide growing company based in Europe, the USA and Asia to face great challenges : you will have the freedom to innovate and adopt new ideas!
- Work alongside passionate experts: who will share their knowledge and help you develop and grow in your career.
- Grow your career: with a flexible career path and a dedicated Learning & Development team. Back Market will help you evolve with personalized internal trainings and external handpicked providers from day 1!
- Leadership Academy by Back Market:“be a coach not a dictator” is at the core of this program ! We train and enable all our leaders to support their team towards achieving goals. Be a manager at Back Market is an unique experience we take by heart.
- An attractive salary, equity and a host of benefits including : Lunch voucher, health insurance, relocation package, paid time off for activism in your community, parental benefits, flexible hours, etc…
- Remote friendly company : up to 3 days of remote work per week!
- One Loving Tribe: you will have the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, open-minded and friendly environment.
- Be part of one of our Employee Resource Groups createdaround shared identities, common backgrounds and/or special interests crafted to be a safe space and an expressive outlet.
- Several internal events: The Monday Brief (weekly)/ The Somehands (monthly)/ The All Hands (annual).
- We’re here to SABOTAGE: It’s our mantra. It keeps us focused on what we aspire to be: a little bit sneaky, always smart, kinda frugal and constantly conspiring to create maximum impact.
Back Market is an Equal Opportunity Employer which means we pledge to not discriminate against employees based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetic information.. If reasonable accommodations are needed for the interview process, please do not hesitate to discuss this with the Talent Acquisition Team.
Back Market is helping to address one of the biggest challenges of our time: climate change. We take this so seriously that we were awarded status as a “Société à Mission”, or company with a social mission, by the French government. We know we can’t tackle a global problem without a globally representative team so we are committed to embedding diversity, equity and inclusion principles in every aspect of our organization. But more importantly, being One Loving & Free Spirited Tribe is in our DNA as it is one of the five foundational values of our company since we got started way back in 2014. We are committed to hiring and supporting diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We know our lofty goals cannot be reached unless everyone has a seat at the table along with the resources and opportunity to grow.
