Managing Director Operations Japan (M/W) at Believe

Tokyo, , Japan -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

24 Sep, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

26 Jun, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Operational Excellence, P&L Management, Strategic Execution, M&A Integration, Change Management, Financial Planning, Organizational Redesign, Go-To-Market Strategy, Cross-cultural Leadership, Performance Tracking, Governance Standards, Budgeting and Forecasting, Due Diligence, Workforce Alignment, Process Harmonization, Executive Decision-making

Industry

Musicians

Description

Company Description Believe is a global artist development company. We empower local artists, labels and publishers to grow their audiences at each stage of their careers with expertise, respect, fairness and transparency. Operating in 50+ countries, with more than 2,000 employees, Believe offers a full range of services including audience development, publishing, marketing and distribution, with a tailor-made approach to fit any artist, label or publisher. Believe champions independence and innovation through a unique model that combines local expertise with a global tech platform, delivering exclusive solutions for artists to promote and monetize their music thanks to strategic partnerships with leading global digital service providers. With a leading portfolio of brands that includes Nuclear Blast, naïve, TuneCore, Groove Attack, Sentric, AllPoints and Byond, Believe artists generated more than 800 billion streams worldwide in 2024 across all genres, and were recognized with more than 70 leading industry awards. Believe is a simplified joint-stock company under French law. Ready to set the tone with Believe ? Job Description Role Overview The Managing Director Operations – Japan is a senior executive leadership role responsible for the operational excellence, structural transformation and financial discipline of Believe Group in Japan. The role co-owns the P&L, strategic execution and overall business performance in close collaboration with the President APAC and each business lines and entity leaders. The MD Operations works in close partnership with these leaders, and is accountable for translating strategy into operational reality, ensuring organizational alignment, financial rigor and disciplined execution across the territory. The position is designed to act as a strong operational partner to the business, enabling business leaders to focus on growth, artists and commercial development while ensuring the organization operates complex and diverse environment. This includes structural integration, cultural alignment, operating model redesign, process harmonization and strategic repositioning. The MD Operations Japan also plays a central role in the evaluation, execution and full operational integration of any M&A transaction in the territory, ensuring value creation is effectively delivered post-closing. The position reports directly to the President APAC. The role requires deep understanding of the Japanese ecosystem combined with the ability to apply international business principles, governance standards and performance culture. Full fluency in English is mandatory. Main Responsibilities 1. Co-Ownership of P&L & Operational Leadership • Co-own financial performance and strategic execution with the President APAC. • Ensure disciplined execution of agreed strategy across all business lines. • Drive margin improvement and operational efficiency. • Implement robust KPI frameworks and performance tracking. • Ensure compliance with Group accounting, reporting and governance standards. 2. Integration & Transformation Leadership • Lead full integration of the legacy business into Group operating standards. • Redesign operating model to align with Group strategy. • Pivot business model where required (revenue mix, cost structure, positioning). • Lead organizational redesign and workforce alignment. • Manage change in a potentially resistant environment. • Establish a performance-driven and accountable culture. 3. Go-To-Market Strategy & Business Model Evolution • Translate Business lines strategy into executable local roadmap. • Align both business units under a unified GTM approach. • Design scalable processes to support growth. • Design KPI’s and optimization levers on customer experience, retention and monetization KPI. • Design KPI’s and optimization levers on pricing, commercial structure and margins. 4. Support Functions Oversight • Oversee Finance, Legal, HR, sales ops functions. • Lead financial planning, budgeting and forecasting. • Ensure local regulatory compliance and governance discipline. • Conduct talent review and leadership development. • Drive data-driven decision making. 5. Back-End & Central Coordination • Optimize workflows between Japan and central teams. • Ensure alignment with Group product, tech and rights teams. • Harmonize supply chain and reporting structures. • Act as primary bridge between Japan and APAC President/Central leadership. 6. M&A, Strategic Projects & Integration • Conduct operational due diligence on potential targets, including assessment of organization, processes, systems, reporting standards, cost structure and scalability. • Identify operational risks, integration complexity and execution constraints. • Contribute to valuation work by validating synergy assumptions, cost rationalization opportunities and integration feasibility. • Support transaction structuring to ensure alignment with operational integration objectives. • Design and lead the post-merger integration roadmap (finance, HR, legal, reporting, product, tech, rights and supply chain). • Drive harmonization of processes and governance standards. • Implement performance tracking to ensure synergy capture and value delivery. • Lead cultural integration and management alignment. • Ensure acquired entities are fully embedded into Group operating model within agreed timelines. 7. Strategic Sparring Partner to APAC President • Provide analytical support and scenario modeling. • Anticipate risks and propose structural improvements. • Contribute actively to long-term Japan strategy. Qualifications 15+ years of senior leadership experience in operations, transformation or general management. Proven track record in integration, restructuring or large-scale transformation. Experience managing complex multi-entity environments. Experience operating in Japan in a senior leadership role. Exposure to digital, tech, media, services or platform businesses preferred. Consulting or transformation background is a strong plus. Executive leadership and decision-making authority. Change and transformation management. Strong financial and operational acumen. Cross-cultural leadership capability. Fluency in English required; Japanese native or near-native strongly preferred. Additional Information SET THE TONE WITH US: Working at Believe means having individual and collective impact in a fast-growing company! At all stages of their careers, Believers are an important part of what we are doing: shaping the future of the music industry. We need teams that truly reflect the diversity of our clients: our international presence is an inspiring and enriching work environment for each one of us, with daily opportunities to connect with our colleagues all over the world. We have two hearts at Believe - our People and our Artists. We believe in THE POWER OF OUR PEOPLE, who grow every day to develop their potential… We aim to provide our Believers with the best environment to thrive. ROCK THE JOB Tailor-made training and coaching program Remote working policy A wellness program "Pauses" with many activities and animations in-house Access to Eutelmed, a digital mental health and well-being platform that allows you to speak with an experienced psychologist A healthy and eco-responsible company restaurant Individual or family health insurance CSE benefits A rooftop A gym with free classes SING IN HARMONY Ambassador program: an employee volunteering initiative dedicated to all Believers interested in having a positive impact on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), wellbeing and the planet. Implementation of the sustainable mobility package “Forfait mobilité durable” => Reimbursement of up to 600€ for public transport/low carbon footprint 5 calendar days 2nd parent leave with 100% pay (in addition to the legal paternity or adoption leave) We are committed to having a workforce that is representative of the community it serves at all levels of the organisation. We, therefore, welcome applications from all backgrounds and all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion and sexual orientation. Contract type: Regular

Responsibilities

The Managing Director Operations Japan is responsible for operational excellence, financial discipline, and the structural transformation of the company's Japanese operations. This includes co-owning the P&L, leading M&A integrations, and aligning the local operating model with global group standards.