Managing Partner, Japan
Tokyo, Japan (Hybrid)Contract / Founding Leadership Role
About ERG Media
ERG Media is an independent publishing house, creative agency, and cultural platform headquartered in Milan, Italy.
We create books, films, editorial projects, exhibitions, merchandise, and brand experiences for some of the world’s most respected companies and cultural institutions. Our work spans automotive, architecture, design, watches, music, travel, and contemporary culture.
Our clients include Porsche, Grand Seiko, Acqua di Parma, and other leading global brands.
We believe there is still room in the world for beautiful objects, thoughtful publishing, and meaningful storytelling.
As our business continues to grow internationally, Japan has emerged as one of our most important markets. We are now seeking a Managing Partner to help establish and grow ERG Media’s presence in Japan.
The Opportunity
This is not a traditional country manager role.
You will not inherit a large office, a large team, or an established corporate structure.
Instead, you will help build ERG Media’s long-term presence in Japan from the ground up.
You will work directly with the founders and leadership team to develop client relationships, identify opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and lay the foundations for a future Japanese operation.
This role is ideal for someone who combines commercial instinct with cultural sensitivity and who is excited by the challenge of creating something new.
Responsibilities
Business Development
- Develop and grow relationships with Japanese luxury, automotive, design, fashion, technology, and cultural brands
- Identify and originate new business opportunities across publishing, content creation, brand storytelling, events, and creative services
- Lead commercial conversations and negotiate partnerships
- Build a robust pipeline of future projects and clients
Strategic Partnerships
- Develop relationships with publishers, retailers, distributors, galleries, museums, cultural institutions, and media organizations
- Identify opportunities for local collaborations and market expansion
- Represent ERG Media at industry events, exhibitions, launches, and cultural gatherings
Client Leadership
- Serve as the primary representative of ERG Media in Japan
- Support existing relationships, including Porsche Japan and future regional clients
- Ensure projects are delivered to the highest standard while maintaining strong client relationships
Market Development
- Advise leadership on opportunities, trends, and cultural developments within Japan
- Help shape ERG’s long-term strategy in the Japanese market
- Build a network of trusted local collaborators, including designers, writers, editors, photographers, producers, and translators
Future Team Building
- Identify future hires and strategic partners
- Help establish the foundations for a future ERG Media Japan team and office
About You
You may currently be:
- A senior business development leader
- A creative agency partner or managing director
- A luxury brand executive
- A publisher or editorial leader
- A founder or former founder
- A strategic consultant operating at the intersection of culture and commerce
More important than your title is your network, judgement, and entrepreneurial mindset.
What Success Looks Like
Within the first 12 months you will:
- Expand ERG’s existing business relationships in Japan
- Establish meaningful relationships with key brands and institutions
- Generate significant new revenue opportunities
- Build a trusted local network of collaborators and advisors
- Create a clear roadmap for ERG’s long-term presence in Japan
For the right candidate, this is an opportunity to help shape one of the world’s most ambitious independent publishing and cultural companies at a formative stage of its international expansion.
Requirements
Requirements
- Native or fluent Japanese
- Professional fluency in English
- 5+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, or commercial leadership
- Strong network and existing relationships in Japan within luxury, design, automotive, fashion, publishing, architecture, or cultural sectors, including luxury brands, automotive groups, publishers, galleries, museums, retailers, distributors, or cultural institutions
- Experience leading client relationships and commercial negotiations
- Experience working independently and building new opportunities from scratch
- Strong understanding of Japanese business culture
- Passion for storytelling, publishing, design, and culture
- Experience starting an office in Japan is a plus
- Experience launching a market, opening a local business line, or establishing a new client base from scratch in Japan would be advantageous
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