Representative Director – Japan

Toogeza
Saudi Arabia
On-site

Who this role is best for

Japan market natives with asset management experience and IT/Technology sector expertise will find this senior leadership role in investment operations particularly compelling, given the need for cultural fluency and deal origination skills.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 10–15 years in asset management and a deep grasp of Japan's IT/Technology sector and business culture
    — “Japan market native-level fluency (business Japanese). Comfortable negotiating, hiring, and building relationships in Japanese business culture.”
  • Individuals with proven end-to-end deal execution experience and a strong network in Japan's institutional investor community
    — “Proven ability to originate deals (not just execute): network with founders, corporates, banks, advisors, local funds.”
  • Professionals with prior leadership in building teams and managing P&L in a high-stakes investment environment
    — “At least 5 years in a senior leadership role with P&L responsibility, pipeline targets, and team management”

Things to consider

  • Residency and nationality in Japan are mandatory, with no flexibility for remote work or visa sponsorship
    — “Resident of Japan, preferably a Japanese national”
  • The role demands frequent domestic travel and periodic trips to the firm’s headquarters
    — “Based in Tokyo, with frequent domestic travel and periodic HQ travel.”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize your experience in Japan's legal/regulatory environment and deal origination success in your resume and interview responses
    — “Strong understanding of Japan legal/regulatory environment relevant to investing”
  • Highlight your ability to lead team-building and operational setup in Japan, especially in a new office context
    — “Build and lead Japan office: hiring, culture, operating cadence, local vendor ecosystem”
  • Demonstrate your grasp of Japanese governance and decision-making dynamics, such as ringi and consensus-building
    — “Familiarity with Japanese governance and decision-making dynamics (ringi, consensus building, stakeholder mapping).”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · CompanyLevel · Senior

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Expand investment operations in Japan
  • Build and lead Japan office
  • Design and execute investment strategy
  • Sourcing engine for deals
Typical background
Asset ManagementInvestment BankingCorporate Development

Skills & requirements

Required

Investment OperationsClient RelationshipsRegulatory ComplianceDeal OriginationEnd-to-end Deal ExecutionNetworkingTeam ManagementStrategic VisionCross-cultural CommunicationRisk Management

Preferred

Japan Legal/regulatory EnvironmentFIEAGp/lp LandscapeJSDA Class 1 Sales RepresentativeInternal Control ManagerCMA Certifications

About the role

Original posting from Toogeza via Ashby

The Representative Director will be responsible for leading and expanding our investment operations in Japan, driving business growth, managing client relationships, and ensuring regulatory compliance within the Japanese market.

Required Qualifications

  • Japan market native-level fluency (business Japanese). Comfortable negotiating, hiring, and building relationships in Japanese business culture.
  • Strong English (written + spoken) for HQ reporting, IC memos, and cross-border coordination.
  • 10–15+ years in asset management / investment banking / corporate development / strategy with direct exposure to Japan transactions.
  • At least 5 years in a senior leadership role with P&L responsibility, pipeline targets, and team management
  • Deep understanding of the IT/Technology sector
  • Proven ability to originate deals (not just execute): network with founders, corporates, banks, advisors, local funds.
  • Track record leading end-to-end deal execution: screening → valuation → due diligence → negotiation → closing.
  • Familiarity with Japanese governance and decision-making dynamics (ringi, consensus building, stakeholder mapping).
  • Strong understanding of Japan legal/regulatory environment relevant to investing (FIEA where applicable, GP/LP landscape, reporting norms, compliance culture).

Core responsibilities

  • Build and lead Japan office: hiring, culture, operating cadence, local vendor ecosystem (legal, tax, accounting, DD providers).
  • Investment strategy design: translate global mandate into Japan’s reality (channels, valuation norms, governance, syndication).
  • Sourcing engine: systematic origination (banks, M&A boutiques, accountants, sector events, corporates, founders).
  • Portfolio support: board participation, KPI governance, follow-on financings, add-on M&A, exec hiring.
  • Stakeholder management: HQ investment committee, LPs / co-investors, regulators/compliance, major partners.
  • Represent the firm in Japan: public presence, brand building, relationship stewardship.

Skills & competencies

  • Strategic vision with the ability to identify market opportunities and execute growth initiatives
  • Strong network within Japan's institutional investor community, financial and Tech sectors
  • Leadership skills to build, mentor, and retain high-performing teams
  • Client relationship management and business development capabilities
  • Cross-cultural communication skills to liaise effectively between local operations and global leadership
  • Risk management and compliance orientation

Nice-to-have differentiators

  • Prior experience opening/leading Japan expansion for a global fund or multinational.
  • Board seat experience in Japan and proven ability to influence without causing cultural friction.
  • Western (USA / Europe) higher education / MBA.
  • JSDA Class 1 Sales Representative, Internal Control Manager, or CMA certifications

Other requirements

  • Resident of Japan, preferably a Japanese national
  • Based in Tokyo, with frequent domestic travel and periodic HQ travel.

Source: Toogeza careers (Ashby)

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