Managing Director Operations Japan

About the role

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. 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 transfor

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