Marketing Director - Tokyo, JP

 

Join us at the Tokyo Innovation Campus and play a pivotal role in sculpting the future of CIC’s brand and marketing across Japan and Asia. In this crucial position, you'll develop and manage a comprehensive marketing strategy, collaborate closely with leadership, and drive our growth initiatives through innovative campaigns and strategic market positioning. If you're a visionary leader passionate about driving change and expanding horizons, this role is your opportunity to make a significant impact in a vibrant and expanding market.

 

CIC builds and operates a global network of innovation campuses where startups, scale-ups, corporations and public entities connect, work, and grow. Founded in 1999, CIC manages more than 111.000 square meters of innovation-focused workspace, laboratories, and event space across North America, Europe and Asia. Additionally, CIC’s consulting division “CIC Catalyst” provides innovation-related programs, builds and enables innovation districts for cities, and supports startups and companies on their innovation.

 

CIC Japan operates 3 innovation campuses, Tokyo, Fukuoka and Osaka. CIC Tokyo, our first site in Asia, is a pioneer and market-leading innovation center in Japan. Opened in 2020, it has a total area of ​​about 6,000 square meters on two floors of the Toranomon Hills Business Tower. 

 

In 2025, we launched CIC Fukuoka in the Tenjin district of the Fukuoka city center. This spring, we launched Osaka Life Science Nexus (O-Nexus) as CIC Japan’s first sector-focused campus. O-Nexus is a key element of Nakanoshima Qross, Japan’s leading life science cluster with a purpose of industrializing future medical care, by bringing together researchers, medical institutions, companies, startups, and support organizations under one roof.

 

CIC Japan has spearheaded the global growth of the consulting division CIC Catalyst on a variety of acceleration programs and consulting projects. Many of the CIC clients and program participants are deep-tech focused and looking to global expansion. Because of its influence in the startup and innovation ecosystem, CIC campuses have frequent visits of VIPs such as Prime Minister Kishida, Governor Koike, Governor Hattori, and other business leaders in Japan.

 

Learn more about us here.

 

This role, based at our Tokyo Innovation Campus, is responsible for developing and managing CIC’s brand and marketing strategy to enhance growth across Japan, and in other Asian markets when we open centers. It involves strategic planning, market research, and overseeing the full marketing mix - including digital and print advertising, email campaigns, social media, PR, and local activations. The role will collaborate closely with key stakeholders, including Japan country leadership, local business unit leads, and global marketing (dotted-line relationship), also supporting expansion efforts throughout Asia.

 

Potential responsibilities will include:

• Developing a comprehensive marketing strategy to support key priorities across our different business units - flexible workspace, ecosystem engagement programs, and expansion opportunities.

• Building and steering country-level go-to-market strategies for new center and program launches in Japan.

• Directly managing budgets, ensuring spendings and efforts are allocated appropriately to meet targets.

• Strategically guide local resources and external partners to implement comprehensive marketing tactics, including developing brand strategy, overseeing PR and media strategies, advising on advertising and lead generation, and directing digital marketing efforts such as analytics, SEO, and website management.

• Managing external agencies and vendors end-to-end: from briefing and creative direction through to quality control and performance evaluation.

• Designing and executing lead management and nurturing strategies, leveraging data and CRM insights to move prospects through the funnel and improve conversion.

• Regularly report relevant regional market insights to key stakeholders to inform global strategy and contribute to ongoing measurement and reporting of marketing performance.

• Lead the annual business planning process for Japan, including strategic adjustment, business function collaboration, budget planning and developing KPIs.

 

The ideal candidate is a proven leader with a track record of achieving goals and excelling in a team environment, skilled in prioritizing multiple tasks to meet deadlines. They possess a global mindset and exceptional interpersonal skills, capable of influencing business objectives at all levels, including executive management. Passionate about innovation and networking, they are strategic thinkers who can both lead a team and directly execute marketing initiatives.

You will be primarily based in CIC Tokyo. Occasionally you will be required to work with local teams in other locations where we operate.

 

• 10+ years of professional, relevant marketing experience in Japan.

• Proven track record in B2B marketing for intangible products or services.

• 5+ years of people management experience.

• Bachelor's degree required at a minimum.

• Fluency in Japanese and very strong proficiency in English.

• Ability to legally work in Japan. CIC is unable to sponsor visas for this role at this time.

 

Will be considered a plus:

• Experience with CRM and/or marketing automation platforms (e.g. HubSpot).

• Real estate or hospitality industry experience.

• MBA degree.

• Experience in working in a global environment.

 

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.

• 6-month contractor engagement, with transition to a permanent contract.

• Commuting / Transportation allowance.

• Massage session once a month.

• Allocated budget for training (customized to specific requirements of the role and organization's objectives)

• Retirement allowance after successfully passing probation period.

 

Please submit your application in English. Thank you!