Position

Chief Communications Officer

Department

Communications and Marketing Support

Position Type

Full-time

Work Hours

09:00–17:30, Monday through Friday

Location

Tokyo (Sangen-jaya station)

Report to

President and Dean

Salary & Benefits

Commensurate with experience.

Eleven (20) days paid vacation in the first fiscal year (July-June) increasing to 28 days after 6 years of employment, plus 5 paid “personal and sick days” each year. In addition, approximately two weeks company-wide break over Christmas/New Year. Japanese social insurance and pension, commuting/telework allowance, a welfare-discount program membership, retirement payment system and tuition benefits for Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) programs.

Visa Requirement

Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) is able to sponsor a visa for this position.

ABOUT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, JAPAN CAMPUS

Overview

Temple University New Tab was founded in 1884 as a night school by Russell Conwell and has since evolved into an international powerhouse in higher education and a top-tier research institution, enrolling more than 30,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Led today by President John A. Fry, Temple remains committed to its founding mission—providing accessible education, advancing innovation in teaching and research, and fostering a vibrant, inclusive community of students, faculty, and staff.

As Philadelphia’s public university, Temple delivers exceptional value and serves as a vital resource to its city and beyond. Ranked among the top 351–400 universities globally (Times Higher Education) and 46th among U.S. public universities (U.S. News & World Report), Temple operates a multicampus system spanning Pennsylvania, Rome, and Japan.

Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ), established in 1982, is the oldest and largest foreign university in Japan and is fully integrated with the main Philadelphia campus. TUJ offers U.S.-accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees in English, along with non-degree programs focusing on children and adults, in a diverse international environment. In 2005, TUJ became the first university to be officially designated a Foreign University, Japan Campus by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Today, TUJ educates over 3,000 undergraduate students and nearly 250 graduate students from over 80 countries at its Tokyo campus (Setagaya-ku) and Kyoto campus (Fushimi). TUJ has embarked on a major expansion as its enrollment has nearly tripled over the past 5 years. As part of its growth, the Kyoto campus was just opened in January 2025.

Leadership Team

Arrow-Medium Faculty and Staff 

Key Figures

What Makes TUJ an Exceptional Place?

• The oldest and largest full-service American university in Japan educating over 3,000 degree seeking students at its campuses in Tokyo and Kyoto. TUJ has more than doubled in size over the past few years.
• Truly a global community with students from nearly 80 countries and diverse faculty/staff from around the world.
• A rapidly growing source of cutting-edge international education from a world-class university ranked among the top 400 universities globally and within the top 50 public universities in the United States.
• Flexible work environment in Tokyo – one of the most exciting, safe, and clean cities.
• Professional development opportunity and mentorship.
• Generous vacation and benefits.

Position Summary

The Chief Communications Officer (CCO) serves as the university’s principal strategist for institutional communications, brand management, public and media relations. Working closely with the campus head and serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the CCO will provide visionary leadership in crafting and executing integrated communication strategies that advance the university’s mission, reputation, and strategic priorities – particularly in light of TUJ’s continuous growth in student enrollment and the expansion to a new satellite campus in Kyoto.

The CCO oversees all aspects of external and internal communications, including media relations, digital and social media, crisis communication, and institutional branding, marketing, and content strategy. This includes direct responsibility for advertising campaigns, university website management, and the development and production of key publications such as brochures, flyers, postcards and other promotional materials. The communication efforts must be grounded in data and informed by market research, ensuring strategies are evidence-based and responsive to evolving trends and audience needs.

As TUJ is an overseas campus of Temple University, the CCO must communicate effectively and coordinate closely with Temple University’s Strategic Communications team at the main campus, particularly on institution-wide campaigns and branding efforts, to ensure alignment with the university’s overall messaging and brand identity.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, forward-thinking communications and marketing strategy aligned with the university’s mission, upcoming priorities, and evolving messaging channels.
• Provide strategic communications support for emerging areas of institutional growth and expansion.
• Advise the Dean and the Senior Leadership Team on communication and advertising strategies.
• Ensuring consistency in messaging across all platforms.
• Assist the Dean and other members of the Senior Leadership Team for the preparation of any media or public engagements.
• Advancing student recruitment goals by developing effective communication strategies and producing compelling media content in close collaboration with Enrollment Management and other programs offices.
• Develop and track KPIs to measure the impact of communications strategies on institutional goals, including enrollment, reputation, engagement, and media reach.

Institutional Branding and Storytelling

• Advance TUJ’s story and brand identity by crafting and ensuring consistency, compelling messaging across all internal and external communication channels.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to elevate TUJ’s visibility, reputation, and influence both within Japan and internationally.
• Monitor and document key institutional milestones, producing high impact materials that showcase TUJ’s progress and achievements.

Media Relations & Public Affairs

• Cultivate strong relationships with regional, national, and international media outlets to elevate institutional visibility and branding.
• Develop and oversee proactive media outreach strategies through targeted and effective communication channels.
• Support external relations as TUJ communicates with governmental, diplomatic, and regulatory entities, ensuring TUJ’s interests are effectively represented.
• Develop crisis communication plans and help lead communication efforts during emergencies or reputational challenges.

Advertising and Digital Strategy

• Design robust marketing and digital engagement strategies, including an integrated model of advocacy across university website, traditional advertising mediums, social media channels, and any other emerging media platforms.
• Leverage analytics to evaluate strategy effectiveness, optimize content, and inform future campaigns.

Team Development & Management

• Lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing team in communications, public relations, advertising, creative and digital media services.
• Promote a collaborative and innovative culture that prioritizes excellence, accountability, and multi-cultural communication.

Stakeholder Communications

• Assist with internal stakeholder engagement strategies during institutional transitions and growth initiatives.
• Enhance senior leadership’s internal communications by drafting key messages, speeches, and announcements for internal audiences.
• Evaluate and restructure the Communications Department’s reporting lines to better support institutional priorities and enhance team performance

Multicultural and International Communications

• Because TUJ operates in a multicultural and bilingual environment, the CCO must effectively manage communications across cultural and national boundaries with TUJ and the greater Temple community.
• Coordinate communications and branding efforts with Temple University’s main campus and other global locations to ensure alignment and leverage university-wide campaigns.

Other Support Areas

• Lead the Communications Department in delivering media and marketing support for institutional advancement events, including Commencement, fundraising campaigns, alumni engagement initiatives, and high-profile special projects.
• Monitor trends and best practices in higher education communications, both domestically and overseas, and incorporate innovative approaches to enhance the university’s visibility and impact.

The Person

Pivotal Experience & Expertise

• External Communications Experience – Experience managing comprehensive strategic external communications strategy leveraging both traditional and leading-edge approaches. Proven capabilities in targeting and influencing multiple groups of stakeholders.
• Digital Communications – Experience with digital communications initiatives and tools including website and social media. Adept at leveraging each for maximum reach and impact.
• Team Leadership – Experience building, motivating and developing a high-performing team.
• Global Experience / Mindset – Experience within a global organization, working with stakeholders in both a Japanese and global context.

Leadership Capabilities

The Chief Communications Officer will demonstrate exceptional strategic thinking, creativity, and communication expertise, including a deep command of digital media and marketing. They will possess the personal drive, passion, and enthusiasm to shape and deliver a compelling narrative, while successfully navigating an evolving and competitive landscape. In addition, they must exemplify the following key characteristics and capabilities:

• For the Communications function, sets organization-wide, market leading vision, strategy and direction.
• Mobilizes the entire communications organization and other key stakeholders across the leadership team.
• Generates and inspires transformative ideas.
• Stimulates, encourages and motivates creative thinking.
• Develops, invests in, and implements new ideas.
• Drives and encourages cross-functional collaboration

Agility & Potential

• Has a structured approach for collecting and assimilating others’ feedback.
• Shows courage and boldness in acquiring knowledge.
• Conveys deep empathy and understanding
• Flexes a broad set of leadership styles in varied situations / contexts.

Culture Impact

The CCO must navigate diverse cultures, crafting inclusive communications that resonate globally while maintaining a consistent brand “voice” while fostering trust with all stakeholders.

Qualifications & Experience (Required)

• Master’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, media, marketing, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in strategic communications, preferably within education or a similarly complex organization.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate intercultural communication and lead bilingual messaging strategies in a globally diverse environment.
• Expertise in institutional storytelling, media relations, strategic communications planning, internal communications, digital and social media strategy, and crisis management.
• Outstanding communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively engage a wide range of stakeholders internally and externally.
• Superior writing and storytelling abilities that articulate and advance the university’s vision and strategic direction.
• Proven track record in setting and executing strategic communications plans, along with strong project management capabilities.
• Experience navigating sensitive issues and managing crisis communications with discretion, professionalism, and integrity.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing teams, coordinating cross-functional initiatives, and balancing multiple high-level priorities.
• Native or near-native proficiency in both English and Japanese. (May consider an exceptional candidate who is not bilingual, but who has extensive experience.)
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends for university events as required.

Qualifications & Experience (Preferred)

• Experience working closely with senior executive leadership.
• Deep understanding of evolving media landscapes, digital engagement trends, and branding strategies, particularly within the context of U.S. and Japanese higher education.
• Proven success in leading high-impact media relations efforts and institutional brand positioning campaigns.
• Strong background in planning and executing large-scale events and institutional initiatives.
• Familiarity with best practices in institutional advancement, alumni engagement, and multi-channel outreach.

Application Process

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their Cover Letter & Resume to:

tujcommunicationsapply@heidrick.com

Temple University, Japan Campus is committed to equal opportunity employment, and to increase diversity and inclusivity in both its community and curricula. All qualified applicants shall receive full and equal consideration for employment. The university does not discriminate against candidates and employees because of their disability, sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under the law. Candidates who can contribute to the institution's goals are strongly encouraged to apply.