Director for Global Defense - Japan

Director For Global Defense - Japan

The Director for Global Defense - Japan is responsible for leading and growing strategic defense and national security business in Japan, aligning with global defense priorities while operating within Japan's regulatory, security, and procurement environment. This role develops executive relationships across Japan's Ministry of Defense and relevant agencies, primes, and key ecosystem partners; shapes long-range capture strategy; and ensures secure delivery of mission outcomes. The role reports into the global defense leadership and coordinates closely with Japan country leadership, product/engineering, legal, security, and delivery teams.

Key Responsibilities

- Define and execute Japan defense growth strategy aligned to global defense objectives and Japan market dynamics.

- Identify priority missions, agencies, and modernization programs, while establishing value propositions that resonate with defense and national security stakeholders, emphasizing resilience, sovereignty, and security.

- Build and maintain senior relationships with the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD), Self-Defense Forces, relevant government entities, and defense primes.

- Partner with solution architects and delivery leaders to design secure, compliant solutions (e.g., cloud, data platforms, AI/analytics, cyber).

- Ensure proposals and delivery plans align to customer mission needs, local data residency/sovereignty expectations, and accreditation pathways.

- Lead executive-level presentations and negotiations with the customer.

- Build strategic alliances with Japanese defense primes, systems integrators, and technology partners to enable compliant bids and delivery.

- Structure teaming and subcontracting approaches that meet procurement requirements and security constraints.

- Coordinate closely with legal, security, and compliance teams for bid decisions, due diligence, and contract terms.

- Influence cross-functional teams globally to prioritize Japan defense requirements and timelines.

Qualifications

- 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in defense/national security government, business, or defense industry roles, with significant Japan market exposure.

Working proficiency in Japanese

- Deep understanding of Japan defense procurement processes, stakeholder landscape, and partner ecosystem.

- Executive presence with demonstrated ability to engage C-level leaders, flag officers/senior civil servants, and prime contractor leadership.

- Demonstrated success leading teams and influencing matrixed organizations; strong commercial and contractual acumen.

Preferred Qualifications

- Advanced degree in business, engineering, international relations, or related field.

- Experience with secure cloud, mission systems modernization, cyber, data/AI, or enterprise platforms in defense environments.

- Existing network across JMOD/SDF, defense primes, and key systems integrators.

Key Competencies

- Strategic thinking and disciplined execution (capture rigor, forecasting, governance)

- Stakeholder management in highly regulated environments

- Integrity and strong compliance mindset

- Negotiation, influencing, and cross-cultural leadership

- Risk management and operational excellence