Business Development Manager (Japanese and English bilingual)

Position Summary

33 USA Inc. is seeking a results-oriented Business Development Manager to drive our agency’s growth in North America. Sitting at the intersection of Business Development and Client Services, you will be responsible for defining sales strategies to acquire new clients while acting as a strategic partner to key existing accounts to maximize their lifetime value. As a Manager, you will oversee the sales pipeline, mentor junior BD Leads, and work directly with leadership to bridge Japanese content with the global market.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities

• Strategic Business Development (Sales Strategy & Acquisition)
  • Revenue Ownership: Own the annual revenue target for the North American market; develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy to achieve high‑growth goals.
  • Pipeline Management: Oversee the entire sales cycle from prospecting to closing. Target high‑value contracts with major entertainment studios, publishers, and streaming platforms.
  • Partnership Building: Identify and negotiate complex partnership structures, including licensing deals, agency‑of‑record (AOR) agreements, and joint ventures.
  • Network Expansion: Represent the company at key industry events like Anime Expo, Comic‑Con, CES, SXSW, Licensing Expo to build a robust network of client and partner decision‑makers.
• Account Management & Client Success (Account Executive Role)
  • Strategic Advisory: Act as the senior point of contact for key clients, providing long‑term marketing consultancy and brand strategy.
  • Upsell & Cross‑sell: Identify opportunities within existing accounts to expand service scope (e.g., PR, Social Media Marketing, Event Marketing, Digital Marketing, Creative Production, or PR services).
  • Client Retention: Oversee client health and satisfaction, conducting Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) to demonstrate ROI and secure contract renewals.
  • Financial Management: Manage account profitability (P&L), ensure accurate forecasting, and oversee billing/contract negotiations to protect agency margins.
• Team Leadership & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
  • Team Management: Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Business Development Leads and Associates. Set individual KPIs and provide coaching to improve pitching and closing skills.
  • Internal Alignment: Collaborate with Marketing, Creative, and Project Management teams to ensure promises made during the sales process are feasible and delivered with excellence.
  • HQ Liaison: Serve as a bridge between the US office and Japan Headquarters, ensuring global strategies are localized effectively for the North American market.

Required Qualifications (Skills & Experience)

• 5+ years of experience in Business Development, Account Management, or Sales within a Marketing Agency, Advertising, or Entertainment industry setting.
• Native‑level proficiency in English and Japanese.
• Proven history of meeting or exceeding revenue targets ($1M+ annual portfolio management experience preferred).
• Deep understanding of the US & Japanese entertainment landscape (Anime, Manga, Gaming) and marketing agency business models.
• 2+ years of experience managing or mentoring junior team members.
• Strong grasp of digital marketing, media planning, and creative production workflows to effectively consult clients.
• Existing relationships with key stakeholders in the US entertainment and licensing sectors.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field; MBA is a plus.

Key Competencies

• Commercial Acumen: Ability to structure deals that are profitable for the agency and valuable for the client.
• Consultative Selling: Ability to diagnose client business problems and propose tailored marketing solutions.
• Cross‑Cultural Agility: Expertly navigating the nuances between US corporate culture and Japanese business etiquette.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Hybrid Work Model (subject to change based on business needs)
• Company‑designated benefit programs as prescribed by law