Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Part-Time

Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Part-Time

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Reporting to: President & CEO (U.S.) and U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) Board of Directors

Position Overview

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will provide leadership to the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) team and serve as a key strategic partner in advancing the Council’s mission to cultivate and connect leaders in Japan who are committed to strengthening the U.S.-Japan partnership. This is a part-time position focused on outward-facing leadership, strategic introductions, partnership building, and driving fundraising efforts to support the Council’s programs and growth.

The COO will report to the USJC U.S. President & CEO to ensure alignment with USJC’s strategic priorities, and work closely with the USJC-Japan Executive Director, USJC-Japan team and Executive Vice President of Development in the U.S. to plan, execute, and grow fundraising and partnership efforts.

Organizational Overview

• Mission: We cultivate and connect leaders at every level in the United States and Japan who are committed to strengthening our global partnership.
• Legal Status: Operations governed by Koeki Zaidan Hojin (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) status in Japan.

Key Responsibilities

Outward-Facing & Partnership Development

• Serve as the highest level outward-facing leader for USJC-Japan, representing the organization in high-level meetings, events, and public engagements.
• Build strategic introductions to strengthen partnerships with a focus on corporate and government sectors in Japan.
• Cultivate and maintain good relationships with the U.S. Embassy and the Government of Japan to support USJC’s programs, events and initiatives.
• Maintain strong relationships with USJC members, donors, and key stakeholders.

Fundraising & Donor Relations

• Lead and execute the USJC-Japan fundraising strategy in collaboration with the Executive Director (USJC-Japan), Executive Vice President of Development (USJC-US) and other senior leaders.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit new corporate sponsors, donors, and partners to support USJC programs and initiatives.
• Maintain and deepen existing sponsor relationships in Japan.

Qualifications & Skills

• Demonstrated success in executive-level leadership with a focus on high-level fundraising and the maintenance of key organizational partnerships.
• Strong network and experience in building high-level partnerships and strategic introductions, especially among Japanese corporations and U.S. corporations with a presence in Japan.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Exceptional bilingual communication skills in English and Japanese are essential for representing the organization externally and building cross-cultural partnerships.
• Ability to represent the organization externally with credibility, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.

About the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC)

Founded by Japanese Americans in 2009, the U.S.-Japan Council strengthens U.S.-Japan relations through people-to-people connections. Through our U.S.-Japan Leadership Institute, we build a pipeline of global leaders across sectors and generations committed to a strong and enduring partnership. Through signature convenings, leadership programs, and initiatives, we cultivate and connect leaders to address key bilateral issues. Our vibrant community of 1,200 members across the United States and Japan is a dynamic professional network that fosters deep connections and drives meaningful impact.

We are a global team with 13 members based in the United States and 10 in Japan. We strive to build a culture that reflects our core values of appreciation, balance, and collaboration that encourages team members to be driven, engaged and have fun.