Head of Business Development - Japan

About Us

As the research and analysis division of The Economist Group, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) equips leaders with the insight they need to seize opportunity and act with confidence. As the global benchmark for high-quality, data-driven intelligence, we analyse the economic, political and policy issues shaping markets in more than 200 countries.

Overview of the Role

We are seeking an ambitious and high-performing Business Development Manager to accelerate the growth of our subscription business across the Japan market. This role is ideal for a top-tier sales professional who is ready to step into a fast-paced, globally recognised organization and represent a respected, premium brand.

You will bring a well-developed consultative sales approach, strong commercial instincts, and a genuine curiosity for global economic and political trends. Your drive, discipline and commitment to excellence will position you to succeed in selling our suite of macro-economic and political subscription platform and data solutions to clients across financial services, corporate sectors, government, academia, professional services and consulting.

This role also offers clear future potential for leadership, with opportunities to take on team management, mentorship, and strategic sales responsibilities as the Japan business expands.

How You Will Contribute

• Identify and qualify strategic sales opportunities, understanding market dynamics and client needs across priority sectors.
• Build and maintain a high-quality pipeline, driving activity through self-generated opportunities and prompt follow-up on marketing-qualified leads.
• Own and execute a comprehensive new-business acquisition strategy for your territory, including prospecting, outreach, meetings and proposal development.
• Continuously enhance your lead-generation engine through proactive networking (digital and in-person), relationship-building and attendance at relevant industry events.
• Operate your territory with an owner’s mindset, consistently elevating activity levels, conversion rates and overall commercial impact.
• Manage the full sales cycle from initial engagement and consultative discovery to negotiations and closing.
• Deliver accurate and timely reporting, including activity metrics, pipeline development, revenue forecasts and booked sales performance.
• Demonstrate leadership behavior’s, contributing to best-practice sharing, coaching colleagues when appropriate, and supporting the long-term development of the Japan commercial team.

Ideal Skills & Experience

• Significant experience selling business intelligence, research, data or subscription-based solutions to senior decision-makers in financial services, corporates, government, academia, consulting or related sectors.
• A proven track record of consistent overachievement, regularly exceeding targets and ranking in the top performance tier within your team.
• A genuine “hunter” mentality: driven, persistent, resilient and motivated by winning new business.
• Exceptional networking and stakeholder-engagement skills, with the ability to navigate complex organizations and reach influential executives.
• Excellent consultative selling ability, with the gravitas, communication skills and commercial acumen to tailor solutions to client needs and articulate compelling value.
• Fluency in Japanese and strong proficiency in English.
• A growth mindset and the ambition to expand into future management or leadership roles as the Japan market scales.

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