Business Development Manager (Japanese and English bilingual)

Position Summary

33 USA Inc. is seeking a results-oriented Business Development Manager to drive our agency’s growth in North America. Sitting at the intersection of Business Development and Client Services. You will be responsible for defining sales strategies to acquire new clients while acting as a strategic partner to key existing accounts to maximize their lifetime value.

As a Manager, you will oversee the sales pipeline, mentor junior BD Leads, and work directly with leadership to bridge Japanese content with the global market.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities:

- Strategic Business Development (Sales Strategy & Acquisition)

• Revenue Ownership: Own the annual revenue target for the North American market; develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy to achieve high-growth goals.
• Pipeline Management: Oversee the entire sales cycle from prospecting to closing. Target high-value contracts with major entertainment studios, publishers, and streaming platforms.
• Partnership Building: Identify and negotiate complex partnership structures, including licensing deals, agency-of-record (AOR) agreements, and joint ventures.
• Network Expansion: Represent the companyagency at key industry events like (Anime Expo and Comic-Con, CES, SXSW, Licensing Expo) to build a robust network of Client and Partner companydecision-makers.

- Account Management & Client Success (Account Executive Role)

• Strategic Advisory: Act as the senior point of contact for key clients, moving beyond transactional requests to provide long-term marketing consultancy and brand strategy.
• Upsell & Cross-sell: Identify opportunities within existing accounts to expand service scope (e.g., adding PR, Social Media Marketing, Event Marketing or Digital Marketing, Creative Production, or PR services to existing projects).
• Client Retention: Oversee client health and satisfaction, conducting Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) to demonstrate ROI and secure contract renewals.
• Financial Management: Manage account profitability (P&L), ensure accurate forecasting, and oversee billing/contract negotiations to protect agency margins.

- Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Team Management: Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Business Development Leads and Associates. Set individual KPIs and provide coaching to improve their pitching and closing skills.
• Internal Alignment: Collaborate with Marketing, Creative, and Project Management teams to ensure that promises made during the sales process are feasible and delivered with excellence.
• HQ Liaison: Serve as a bridge between the US office and Japan Headquarters, ensuring global strategies are localized effectively for the North American market.

Qualifications (Skills & Experience)

Required:

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in Business Development, Account Management, or Sales within a Marketing Agency, Advertising, or Entertainment industry setting.
• Bilingual Proficiency: Native-level proficiency in English and Japanese.
• Track Record: Proven history of meeting or exceeding revenue targets ($1M+ annual portfolio management experience preferred).
• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the US & Japanese entertainment landscape (Anime, Manga, Gaming) and marketing agency business models.
• Leadership: 2+ years of experience in managing or mentoring junior team members.

Preferred:

• Account Executive Expertise: Strong grasp of digital marketing, media planning, and creative production workflows to effectively consult clients.
• Network: Existing relationships with key stakeholders in the US entertainment and licensing sectors.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field. MBA is a plus.

Key Competencies

• Commercial Acumen: Ability to structure deals that are profitable for the agency and valuable for the client.
• Consultative Selling: Ability to diagnose client business problems and propose tailored marketing solutions.
• Cross-Cultural Agility: Expertly navigating the nuances between US corporate culture and Japanese business etiquette.

A number of programs cover all employees in the manner prescribed by law. Additionally, 33 USA Inc. provides several Company-designated benefit programs.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Hybrid Work Model
• While we currently offer this hybrid arrangement, please note that our work model may evolve to meet changing business needs. The company reserves the right to modify work arrangements at its sole discretion. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we continually assess and optimize our work environment.