Area Market Manager - Japan

About the job
Hopper is expanding to Japan as we continue to expand our APAC business. . As Area Manager of Japan, you will be responsible for building from zero and growing the market. You will also be leading a Market Management team, to achieve acquisition and revenue goals.
You will utilize both deep industry knowledge and connections in Japan to build the first relationships with hotels in the local market.
The position demands leveraging your proven track record of exceptional sales and negotiation skills, along with adept problem-solving abilities. Precision in analytics is essential. You will serve as a leader capable of recruiting and cultivating a driven, high-performing team. You must be a hands-on, player-manager, adept at balancing your time between nurturing and mentoring your team while also engaging directly in market activities and forging partnerships.
To succeed at Hopper you must have a passion for travel and hospitality, love to shop and buy products on your phone, and prefer a start-up culture to big company bureaucracy. You should be stimulated by growing and empowering your team and enjoy being in the field managing and developing ongoing relationships. You should also be ambitious about your career and eager to take on expanded responsibilities as Hopper grows.

What would your day-to-day look like:

• Build the Direct Contracting strategy for Japan, and set up the Market management team
• Own a set of revenue goals related to Hopper’s direct hotel business
• Effectively manage and evaluate sales performance, and mentor the Market Management team to help them achieve their revenue goals through the negotiation of competitive inventory and rates and best commercials.
• Help the team negotiate complex deals that optimize Hopper’s direct Hotel supply and revenue opportunity
• Build account engagement plans with the Market Management team to help win strategic hotel partnerships
• Manage a small number of key accounts in designated area
• Represent Hopper in the local market, build Hopper’s company profile with key local influencers (e.g. tourism bureau, hotel association, etc.) and provide expertise to the local industry
• Develop and own relationships with key decision makers at hotels, technology partners and other relevant partners
• Work with Product & Connectivity team to set up the foundation to enable direct contracting in the market
• Internally communicate direct hotel supply needs that support sales priorities and ultimately deliver value to the Hopper customer
• Educate Hopper colleagues on market dynamics and specific needs/requests from your portfolio

An ideal candidate has:

• 8+ years of relevant experience in the Hospitality industry, with 5+ years managing hotel contracting teams in Japan
• Strong knowledge and experience in Japanese hospitality industry
• Capacity to meet multiple objectives in an entrepreneurial and fast-paced environment with minimal guidance
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to craft and deliver compelling and data driven presentations
• A structured, process driven approach to sales and the ability to impart such process on the sales team
• Excellent prioritization and time management skills with the ability to distinguish urgent from important work
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse, field-based team
• An innovative and detail-oriented approach to problem-solving
• No ego. Strong focus on doing what is right for the customer and the company

Perks and benefits of working with us:

• Well-funded and proven startup with large ambitions, competitive salary
• Quarterly performance bonus
• Hopper provides a monthly allowance* of ¥ 46,000 JPY for our employees in Japan to help reduce costs related to EHI premiums and out of pocket medical expenses.
• Please ask us about our very generous parental leave, much above industry standards!
• Unlimited PTO
• Work-from-home stipend
• Hopper employees have access to utilize flexdesk all access pass for locations in the world - and we will reimburse you up to ¥ 50,000 per month for commuting expenses related co-working or on-site client obligations.
• Carrot Cash travel stipend
• Hopper provides a cash benefit of 1 month salary for each year of service completed, for employees to put towards retirement.
• An entrepreneurial culture where pushing limits and taking risks is everyday business
• Open communication with management and company leadership
• Small, dynamic teams = massive impact

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