Managing Director

Managing Director, Japan

We are currently supporting a search for a Managing Director, Japan. This is a high-impact, strategic leadership appointment for a global B2B services firm with significant operations in Japan. The successful candidate will spearhead the Japan market, driving a core mission of commercial transformation and sustainable growth in one of the world's most demanding commercial environments.

About the Role

As the Managing Director, you will hold full P&L accountability for the Japan business, reporting directly to the Senior Vice President, APAC. This role is designed for a visionary leader capable of scaling organizational capability while modernizing the company's offerings. Your primary objective is to transform the Japan market from a traditional operational base into a high-growth, innovation-led business unit. You will lead a high-performing leadership team, fostering a culture of high trust and inclusion while acting as the primary senior representative to key government, industry, and enterprise stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Commercial Leadership & Growth Strategy

• Lead the development and execution of the Japan strategic roadmap to deliver sustainable, profitable growth.
• Drive commercial excellence across the organization, overseeing pipeline discipline, pricing strategies, and market-entry initiatives for new offerings.
• Partner with global business lines to ensure local execution aligns with international standards while remaining hyper-relevant to the Japanese market.

Organizational Scaling & Culture

• Transform the organizational culture by embedding a high-trust, inclusive environment that improves employee engagement and retention.
• Coach and develop the senior leadership bench, ensuring robust succession planning and talent pipelines as the business scales.
• Model respectful and ethical leadership, reflecting the highest standards of integrity.

Strategic Partnerships & Key Account Management

• Protect and expand relationships with strategically important enterprise clients, acting as the executive-level point of contact.
• Build an ecosystem of commercial and delivery partners, strengthening alliances with government and industry bodies to reinforce market reputation.
• Influence the wider business community to develop partner-enabled routes to market.

Operational Excellence & Governance

• Ensure all operations comply with internal quality standards and the regulatory frameworks relevant to the business.
• Manage delivery risk with a strong mindset for quality and compliance.
• Oversee local labor relations and corporate governance in alignment with Japanese labor law and global group policies.

Requirements

• 10+ years of senior commercial leadership experience in a B2B environment.
• Full P&L ownership at a country or large business-unit level within an international matrix organization.
• Language: Native-level fluency in Japanese and professional-level English (capable of influencing global stakeholders).
• Industry Background: Proven track record in B2B services or adjacent professional environments; experience operating in complex, multi-stakeholder, regulated settings is a significant advantage.
• Soft Skills: An entrepreneurial "builder" mentality combined with high emotional intelligence and the ability to drive culture change.

Why Apply?

• Full P&L Ownership: Take the helm of a major market with the autonomy to shape strategy and drive bottom-line impact.
• Global Visibility: Direct reporting line to APAC leadership and frequent interaction with the Global Executive Board.
• Market Modernization: Lead the modernization of core offerings in a mature industry with significant room for innovation.
• Legacy Building: Opportunity to transform organizational culture and build a high-performance leadership bench from the ground up.
• Stability & Growth: Join a globally recognized organization known for its stability, ethics, and commitment to diversity.