Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group has elevated Jennifer Kuperman to head of international corporate communications.

Jennifer KupermanJennifer Kuperman

She replaces global corporate affairs chief Jim Wilkinson, who is stepping down to start an entrepreneurial venture, the Hangzhou-based company said.

Kuperman, a former management consultant, previously led corporate marketing at Visa and was chief of staff to its CEO. At Alibaba, she reports to executive vice chair Joseph Tsai, who called her a "tremendous leader." He added: "I look forward to working closely with Jennifer as we continue to globalize our company and enter the next phase of the company’s growth.”

Wilkinson exits Alibaba two years after joining from PepsiCo. The former Brunswick Group partner was a top (George W.) Bush administration strategic communications aide and guided communications through Alibaba's massive 2014 IPO.