Our client is a global investment management organization with a long-standing track record of helping clients achieve their financial goals. With a strong international presence and a collaborative culture, the firm is focused on delivering sustainable growth through innovation, operational excellence, and client-centric solutions. The organization fosters an environment where teams work across regions and functions to drive meaningful impact and long-term value.

 About the Role

The Head of Business Services, Japan, is a senior leadership position responsible for driving the execution of distribution and business strategy within the Japan market, while contributing to broader regional and global initiatives. Based in Tokyo, this role leads a high-performing local team and collaborates closely with counterparts across Asia-Pacific and Europe.

The position plays a critical role in shaping and delivering strategic initiatives that enhance business performance, improve operational efficiency, and support growth across client segments. It requires strong alignment with senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of priorities and transformation initiatives.

• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing Business Services team, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented culture.
• Drive execution of the Japan business strategy through close partnership with senior stakeholders across functions.
• Oversee end-to-end delivery of strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with business objectives, governance standards, and resource priorities.
• Manage complex projects and programmes, including planning, execution, tracking, and reporting.
• Provide analytical insights and strategic assessments to support decision-making and business growth.
• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives, ensuring alignment across sales, marketing, and other business areas.
• Lead and support change management efforts to embed sustainable improvements and transformation outcomes.
• Contribute to regional and global initiatives, working across geographies and business lines.
• Develop and leverage data-driven insights to enhance client engagement, retention, and overall performance.
• Represent business priorities in enterprise-wide strategic programmes and governance forums.

• Proven leadership experience with the ability to manage, develop, and motivate high-performing teams.
• Strong background in asset management or financial services, ideally with exposure to distribution or client-facing functions.
• Demonstrated experience in leading strategic projects and change initiatives from concept through execution.
• Highly analytical with the ability to structure complex problems and deliver practical, actionable solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with experience working across functions and regions.
• Ability to operate independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver results under tight timelines.
• Proactive, results-driven mindset with an interest in leveraging innovation and emerging technologies to improve outcomes.
• Fluency in Japanese and English is essential; additional language skills are advantageous.
• Proficiency in standard business tools and applications.

This is a unique opportunity to take on a high-impact leadership role within a globally connected organization. The position offers exposure to senior stakeholders, involvement in strategic decision-making, and the ability to shape the future operating model of a key market.

You will have the opportunity to lead meaningful transformation initiatives, work across international teams, and directly influence business growth and performance. For candidates seeking a role that combines strategy, execution, leadership, and global collaboration, this position offers both challenge and long-term career development.