Manager, Communications

Mastercard is looking for an experienced communications leader to shape how we show up in Japan , one of Asia Pacific’s most important and dynamic markets.

As Manager, Communications, Japan, you will lead strategic communications that strengthen Mastercard’s reputation, advance business priorities and bring our story to life across payments, technology, innovation and commerce in a market where trust, long-term relationships, precision and local relevance matter deeply.

Responsibilities

• Lead communications strategy for Japan, translating Mastercard’s global and regional priorities into market-relevant plans that engage customers, partners, employees, media, policymakers and industry stakeholders with clarity, consistency and cultural awareness.
• Shape compelling business and reputation narratives across payments, digital commerce, cybersecurity, data and services, AI, innovation, trust, SMEs, commercial solutions and new payment flows, making complex topics accessible to business, policy and public audiences.
• Drive executive visibility and thought leadership for Japan leaders and visiting regional/global executives, including speeches, talking points, briefing materials, bylines, op-eds, LinkedIn content, customer engagement narratives and preparation for media, industry and employee forums.
• Build strong media relationships and earned visibility across business, financial, technology, trade, consumer and policy media, developing story angles, press materials, Q&As and spokesperson messaging that are timely, accurate and tailored for Japan.
• Lead communications for priority launches, partnerships and campaigns, including Mastercard-led, customer-led and joint announcements, initiatives, research, sponsorships, events and business milestones.
• Provide trusted communications counsel on public policy, regulatory and issues topics, working with Public Policy, Legal, Compliance, Security and Communications partners to manage risk, protect reputation and ensure responses are properly aligned before they go to market.
• Support internal alignment and employee engagement by helping employees understand Mastercard Japan’s strategy, priorities and culture through leadership communications, town halls, internal updates and locally relevant storytelling.
• Create modern, channel-smart storytelling across earned, owned, social and internal channels, including videos, explainers, infographics, presentations, employee communications and executive social content.
• Manage agency and vendor partners, providing clear briefs, strong creative direction, disciplined timelines and high-quality execution across PR, digital, content and production workstreams.
• Use data, measurement and AI responsibly to strengthen insight, speed, consistency and impact across planning, drafting, media monitoring, reputation intelligence, reporting and optimisation.

Requirements

• 10+ years of communications experience across corporate communications, media relations, public affairs, business communications, journalism, agency or a related discipline, ideally in financial services, payments, technology, fintech, consulting, digital commerce or another complex, highly regulated industry.
• Strong understanding of Japan’s media, business, policy and stakeholder landscape, with the ability to navigate nuance, build trust over time and develop communications approaches that reflect local expectations as well as global standards.
• Proven ability to develop strategic communications programs that strengthen reputation, support commercial priorities and deliver measurable impact.
• Excellent writing, editing and storytelling skills across executive, media, internal, social, digital and event formats, with the ability to make complex topics clear and compelling.
• Strong business acumen and confidence advising senior stakeholders on communications opportunities, stakeholder engagement, issues management and reputation risk, with the judgement to balance speed, accuracy, consultation and discretion.
• Digitally fluent and visually minded, with experience using social channels, content platforms, measurement tools and approved AI tools to improve insight, quality and execution.
• Highly collaborative, culturally aware and comfortable working across markets, functions and time zones in a matrixed environment.
• Strong project, agency and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and approvals without compromising quality or judgement.
• A thoughtful, detail-oriented working style, with the ability to prepare thoroughly, anticipate stakeholder needs, manage approvals carefully and deliver polished work in both planned and fast-moving situations.
• Excellent written and spoken Japanese and English are essential.