Strategic Engagement Leader (Sales Channel) Location: Tokyo, Japan Function: Brand | Healthcare Marketing Level: Senior Manager/Director Level
About the Company We are a purpose-driven healthcare company specializing in consumer wellness products, with a legacy of well over a century in Japan. Globally recognized for our wide-ranging portfolio of over-the-counter (OTC) and wellness solutions, we are dedicated to empowering people to take health into their own hands.
Rooted in innovation and backed by a global network, our Japan team combines deep local expertise with a bold, modern challenger mindset. As we expand our presence in self-medication and “switch” medicines, we seek leaders ready to redefine how we engage the healthcare professional (HCP) community in a dynamic market.
About the Role We are looking for a strategic and visionary leader to develop and execute our HCP engagement model across Japan. This individual will drive commercial and advocacy growth by designing compelling omnichannel strategies for healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, physicians, in-store advisors, and key opinion leaders (KOLs).
This role is especially critical in the context of new product launches that require behind-the-counter pharmacist consultation in the early commercialization phase. As such, building professional trust and driving HCP endorsement is essential to long-term success.
Key Responsibilities Strategy & Leadership
Lead the end-to-end strategy for HCP marketing across priority brands, with a focus on conversion, advocacy, and business impact.
Develop frameworks rooted in strong insights to define HCP personas, journeys, and strategic role within the broader consumer funnel.
Set bold growth objectives aligned with our repeatable model of growth, and act as a thought leader for HCP strategy across the organization.
Engagement Design & Activation
Design and execute a scalable engagement model for HCPs, including segmentation, channel strategy, content, and measurement.
Work cross-functionally with Brand, Medical, Digital, Sales, and Public Affairs teams to align all touchpoints with a unified strategy.
Lead the creation of campaigns and materials that communicate product superiority and value through HCP-relevant storytelling.
Orchestrate omnichannel activation plans and monitor performance through defined KPIs.
Creative & Content Development
Collaborate with creative partners to develop compelling assets tailored to the needs and behaviours of healthcare professionals.
Oversee the creative development process to ensure messaging is clear, credible, and actionable in the HCP context.
Analytics & Innovation
Leverage analytics and insights to measure engagement effectiveness and refine strategies accordingly.
Conduct ongoing market and competitor analysis to inform positioning, messaging, and innovation opportunities.
Partnership & Influence
Cultivate and manage strategic relationships with healthcare stakeholders, including external partners and professional networks.
Represent the business at key conferences, forums, and stakeholder events to build thought leadership and market presence.
Act as the internal champion for HCP marketing excellence, helping to raise organizational capability and best practices.
What We’re Looking For Experience
Ideal (but not essential) experience in HCP engagement, trade marketing, or brand marketing — ideally within consumer healthcare, FMCG, or a related field.
Proven ability to drive pharmacist or HCP advocacy and product recommendation behaviour.
Skills & Competencies
Strategic and analytical thinking with a strong bias for action.
Excellent cross-functional collaboration and leadership skills.
Strong commercial acumen and understanding of shopper/HCP behavior.
Creativity in communication, content, and activation.
Comfortable navigating complexity and working in a fast-paced, lean, entrepreneurial environment.
Fluency in Japanese; business-level English required.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field; MBA a plus.