Associate Director, Japan Business Development

Job Description

This role is primarily to develop new clients and new channels and maintain existing clients and distributors, with a particular focus on financial institutions, quasi-government institutions, both public and private pension funds and wholesale business.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Build the pipeline of new opportunities, strengthen relationship with the existing clients and distributors.

Develop sales plans, client account plans and a clear and prioritised product engagement programme to support the institutional and wholesale sales effort.

Utilise the broad team resources available to execute a business strategy, including not only the broader business development team but particularly other key local / regional / global functions.

Work collaboratively and closely with the local and regional / global Distribution, Marketing, Product and Investment functions to ensure delivery of overall sales execution plan and to meet client requirements.

Providing an exceptional client experience through a focus on client needs at all times. Ensure clarity of purpose, with clear sales targets, client meeting expectation and other relevant goals in place for all individuals.

REQUIREMENTS

Key Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications

Strong understanding of the Japanese institutional and wholesale market place, with a clear view on the key players, gatekeepers, opportunities and challenges;

Experience in building strong third party relationships / partnerships and track record of winning business via this approach;

Good understanding of investment markets and strong knowledge of relevant asset class solutions and / or products, particularly for Fixed Income products;

Excellent understanding of the Japanese institutional environment as it impacts asset management, including the regulatory, investment and overall business environment;

Strong and identifiable track record in the institutional sales space, across either buy or sell side

Bachelor’s degree and CMA (or equivalent) qualification desirable;

Experienced in asset management business.

Ability to generate, follow up and close sales.

Strategic thinker, ability to generate creative solutions to challenges for clients. Excellent communication skills : written and spoken, both face to face and over the telephone / remote access tools, ability to give professional presentations.

Strong interpersonal skills-influencing - ability to build and nurture personal relationships with a diverse range of people / personalities at a variety of different levels.

Business level of English and native level of Japanese language skills required; good command of both languages required for the use in the formal business contexts.