Business Director

General📍 Tokyo, Japan💼 Contingent Search

We are currently supporting a search for a Business Director to join the leadership team of a growing agency in the advertising and marketing communications industry in Tokyo. Our client is building a modern, integrated agency powered by ambition, collaboration and cultural relevance. This is a commercial, strategic leadership position rather than a traditional account management role.

About the Role

In this role you will take ownership of creative client leadership in Japan across the agency's portfolio, driving growth, integration and impact. You will look beyond the immediate client request to understand the wider business challenge behind it, bring a clear point of view, and connect the right capabilities across media, PR, health and other specialist teams to deliver meaningful business and brand outcomes. As a core member of the Leadership Team, you will also be accountable for the commercial performance of your portfolio and help shape the agency's next phase of growth, both locally and across the wider international network.

Responsibilities

Lead Client Partnerships * Own senior relationships across key clients, acting as a trusted strategic partner and senior escalation point. * Develop a deep understanding of each client's business, brand, market context and audiences. * Elevate conversations beyond delivery into business and brand transformation, proactively identifying needs and opportunities.

Own Commercial Performance * Take ownership of revenue, profitability and commercial targets across the client portfolio. * Ensure resourcing, scoping and ways of working deliver value for clients and sustainable margin for the agency. * Monitor performance across accounts and act early to protect and grow margin.

Drive Growth * Build and manage a new business pipeline from opportunity identification through to conversion. * Unlock growth within existing clients through proactive, insight-led thinking. * Lead senior-level pitches, shaping compelling, differentiated narratives with cross-functional teams.

Lead and Evolve the Team * Lead and develop the client and account team into a high-performing, growth-oriented function. * Coach team members to move beyond traditional servicing towards proactive, commercially driven client leadership. * Create clarity in roles, accountability and ways of working, fostering a culture of ownership, collaboration and ambition.

Shape the Business and Connect Across the Network * Contribute to strategy, structure and growth plans as a member of the Leadership Team. * Build relationships with regional and global teams to identify and unlock multi-market and international opportunities. * Act as a connector between Japan and the wider network, bringing global expertise to local clients and exporting Japanese thinking globally.

Requirements

Proven track record in client leadership or business leadership roles within an agency or similar environment.
Demonstrated success growing accounts, building senior client relationships and leading integrated work across multiple disciplines.
Experience in new business development and senior pitching, and in owning commercial performance with accountability for revenue and profitability targets.
Business-level fluency in both Japanese and English, with the ability to operate confidently in a Japanese client environment with an international mindset.
Strong leadership presence, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and to give and receive constructive challenge.
Excellent strategic thinking, presentation and storytelling skills, able to turn insight into a clear, compelling narrative.
A collaborative, entrepreneurial and resilient approach, with the composure to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines in a lean, fast-moving environment.
Curiosity about culture, audiences, technology and AI, and how they can improve ways of working and client outcomes.

Why Apply

Join a growing agency with strong momentum and a diverse, high-quality client roster.
Take a seat on the Leadership Team and contribute directly to strategy, structure and growth plans.
Build and shape a modern, integrated agency model rather than maintain the status quo.
Work at the intersection of local insight and global opportunity.
Collaborate with regional and global teams on multi-market opportunities.
Play a key role in shaping the next phase of growth in Japan and beyond.