Country Director Japan

Business Development Director/Country Director – Japan

Location: Japan

A global aerospace and defence technology company is looking for a senior Business Development Director/Country Director to lead its growth across the Japanese market.

This is a highly autonomous role, initially operating as an individual contributor, with the opportunity to build a team as you grow the country.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead business development and growth across Japan.
• Develop relationships with Japanese defence, government and industry stakeholders.
• Identify and develop new opportunities across complex defence programmes.
• Manage long-term sales cycles from initial engagement through to contract award.
• Develop and execute the company's Japan market strategy.
• Work closely with international sales, technical and leadership teams.

Ideal Background

• Extensive aerospace & defence business development/sales experience.
• Strong knowledge of the Japanese defence market.
• Established government and defence relationships in Japan.
• Experience selling complex or export-controlled defence systems.
• DCS and/or FMS experience highly desirable.
• UAV, counter-UAS or advanced defence technology experience advantageous.
• Previous military or government experience would be highly relevant.
• Fluent Japanese and strong professional English.
• Hands-on, entrepreneurial and comfortable building a market from the ground up.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a strategically important market and play a key role in the continued international expansion of an established global defence technology business.