julie hampToyota is promoting North American communications chief Julie Hamp to managing officer of the Japanese automaker.

Hamp takes the title of managing officer and chief communications officer for the Toyota Motor Company, the first woman named to these positions globally. She oversees global communications efforts, with responsibility for public affairs and overseas external affairs reporting to Shigeru Hayakawa, senior managing officer, TMC.

Bloomberg said she will be the first female executive in the company's 77-year history and just the third woman among top management at Japanese carmakers.

Toyota has also tapped its first foreigner as an executive VP, France-born Didier Leroy. The moves are being viewed as a bid for the insular company to diversify its "largely uniform senior management."

Said Akio Toyoda, president of TMC: "Bringing together an experienced and diverse team of executives with fresh perspectives, unique regional insights and a global mindset will help us better serve customers around the world."

Hamp, who was chief communications officer for Toyota North America, is relocating to Japan for the new role. She joined Toyota in 2012 from PepsiCo and previously was with General Motors and its Saturn unit.