About the company
Our client is a global communications and marketing organization helping leading brands grow through media, commerce, content, operations, and analytics. Its Japan business combines international scale with deep local-market expertise, enabling teams to develop integrated solutions for sophisticated clients, including luxury fashion brands.
The culture is built on authenticity, collaboration, continuous improvement, and shared learning. Employees are encouraged to bring forward new ideas, invest in one another, and pursue better ways of working. This is an opportunity to join a high-performing, inclusive environment where senior leaders have the influence to shape the future of commerce in Japan while working with talented colleagues and globally distributed teams.
What the job entails
As Head of Commerce, you will define the strategic direction, operations, and growth of the Japan commerce practice. You will lead a broad team spanning media, content, operations, and analytics, while building scalable solutions across owned, borrowed, and partner platforms, including Amazon and Rakuten.
You will develop senior client relationships, identify growth opportunities, lead pitches, expand existing accounts, and support the successful launch of new products and services in Japan. The role owns the market’s commerce revenue target and requires close collaboration with regional leaders, specialist teams, and other business divisions to deliver integrated solutions.
You will also champion innovation, strengthen operational excellence, attract and develop top talent, and position the organization as a leader in Japanese commerce. Success will be measured through revenue growth, pitch conversion, product adoption, market share, and talent attraction and retention.
Key requirements
10 or more years of experience within or around the commerce ecosystem, with a proven record of leading a regional or global business.
Experience spanning media and retail; background working with luxury fashion brands is strongly preferred.
Deep understanding of the Japanese commerce ecosystem, particularly Amazon and Rakuten.
Strong technical proficiency in commerce, data-driven marketing, media planning, and related digital strategies.
Demonstrated success in client acquisition, pipeline management, senior client relationships, and business development.
An established network of industry leaders and senior client stakeholders in Japan.
Ability to create compelling strategic narratives and present persuasively to clients, prospects, regional and global teams, and senior internal stakeholders.
Proven ability to build, lead, mentor, and retain high-performing, cross-functional teams.
Experience collaborating effectively with globally distributed teams.
Strong financial, operational, organizational, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex priorities under tight deadlines.
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field.
Fluency in Japanese and business-level English, including the ability to present confidently in both languages.