Communications Lead, Japan

At Wayve we're committed to creating a diverse, fair and respectful culture that is inclusive of everyone based on their unique skills and perspectives, and regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition  (including breastfeeding) or any other basis as protected by applicable law.   About us    Founded in 2017, Wayve is the leading developer of Embodied AI technology.  Our advanced AI software and foundation models enable vehicles to perceive, understand, and navigate any complex environment, enhancing the usability and safety of automated driving systems. Our vision is to create autonomy that propels the world forward.  Our intelligent, mapless, and hardware-agnostic AI products are designed for automakers, accelerating the transition from assisted to automated driving.  In our fast-paced environment big problems ignite us—we embrace uncertainty, leaning into complex challenges to unlock groundbreaking solutions. We aim high and stay humble in our pursuit of excellence, constantly learning and evolving as we pave the way for a smarter, safer future. At Wayve, your contributions matter.  We value diversity, embrace new perspectives, and foster an inclusive work environment; we back each other to deliver impact.   Make Wayve the experience that defines your career!   The role  As Communications Lead, Japan, you will build Wayve’s presence in one of the world’s most important automotive markets. This is a hands-on, high-impact role where you will lead in-market PR and communications while shaping how embodied AI and self-driving technology are introduced to Japan. You’ll work closely with the global comms and marketing teams to localize strategy, support major milestones such as robotaxi launches and automaker partnerships, and build a market presence and brand trust that punches above its weight. This is a rare opportunity to define a category in-market from the ground up.   Key responsibilities: Lead and execute Wayve’s communications strategy in Japan, with a strong focus on earned media and PR-based storytelling Build and manage relationships with Japanese media, industry stakeholders, and key opinion leaders Develop and localize global narratives, campaigns, and announcements for the Japanese market Support major company milestones, including robotaxi launches and automaker partnerships, through strategic communications Plan and deliver local events, conferences, and speaking opportunities to support business development, brand growth, and recruitment Partner closely with the policy team to support Japanese regulatory engagement and strategic media positioning Act as the first line of response for local communications risks and issues, coordinating closely with global teams on crisis communications Support executive communications in Japan, including media engagements, interviews, and speaking opportunities Provide market intelligence and surface local insights to inform global strategy and competitive positioning Collaborate cross-functionally with global marketing, comms, and design teams to deliver high-quality, locally relevant outputs Contribute to internal communications by adapting global messaging for the Japan team   About you    In order to set you up for success as a Communications Lead, Japan at Wayve, we’re looking for the following skills and experience.     Essential  Significant experience in communications and PR in Japan, ideally within deep tech, autonomous mobility or automotive sectors Strong network and understanding of the Japanese media landscape Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in both Japanese and English Proven ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, compelling narratives Experience leading PR campaigns and managing high-impact announcements Experience leading conference strategy and executive speaking engagements Ability to operate autonomously in a fast-paced, high-growth environment Strong collaboration skills, with experience working across global teams A proactive, builder mindset with the ability to identify opportunities and drive impact   Desirable  Experience in autonomous driving, AI, or deep technology sectors Experience supporting policy, regulatory, or public affairs communications Experience working in a global company or scaling a brand in a new market Experience supporting executive communications and high-profile speaking engagements   This is a full-time role based in our office in Tokyo or Yokohama.  At Wayve we want the best of all worlds so we operate a hybrid working policy that combines time together in our offices and workshops to fuel innovation, culture, relationships and learning, and time spent working from home.        Wayve is c