Country Manager, Japan

BlueOptima is an engineering intelligence platform that uses objective, source-code-level data to make visible software development productivity, the return on investment and impact of AI, quality, and engineering cost. We give CIOs, CTOs and CFOs the evidence behind their decisions.

We have analysed more than 10 billion code revisions and data from over 800,000 developers, and our platform is used by 9 of the world's top 16 universal banks. For around 20 years we have operated profitably without external capital.

Japanese enterprises are investing rapidly in AI-assisted software development and in bringing development in-house, much of it alongside SIers. They need an independent, objective way to measure whether that investment is delivering. BlueOptima provides that answer.

This role leads the launch of BlueOptima's business in Japan. From recruiting and signing partner companies, to building awareness in the market, through to direct sales with large enterprises, you will personally build the foundation of our business in Japan.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Build the partner channel: select and recruit the SelIers, distributors and consulting firms closest to the development organisations of large Japanese enterprises, and take them from signed agreement to proposing BlueOptima to their clients.
• Build the market: messaging for Japan, Japanese-language content, partner seminars, executive roundtables and events. You'll work with our global marketing team, but you decide what works in Japan and make it happen.
• Sell directly: lead opportunities with CTOs, CIOs and heads of development, with partners or on our own, through to contract.
• Know the product: run first meetings and demos yourself, with technical support from the global team.
• Plan and report: own the Japan business plan, report progress to the CRO weekly and manage the pipeline in HubSpot.

• Native-level Japanese and business-level English
• Experience as an early or founding member bringing a foreign B2B software company into Japan, with results to show for it
• Experience recruiting and launching new SIer or distributor partnerships in Japan, not only managing existing ones
• Experience selling enterprise software to large Japanese companies
• An understanding of how software is developed, and the ability to hold technical conversations with heads of development

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience with large companies in financial services, manufacturing, telecoms or IT
• Experience with developer tools, DevOps or engineering analytics products

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
This is not a role managing a large organisation. You'll be on the front line, building the foundation of the Japan business yourself. We start small and grow the team as the business grows.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
3 months: a Japan business plan agreed with the CRO, priority partner and target account lists, and concrete discussions with at least three prospective partners
6 months: signed partners generating opportunities with large enterprises
12 months: a high-quality, partner-led pipeline and new enterprise customers won

CAREER PATH
As the Japan business grows, you'll build and lead the team.

PACKAGE
¥15M to ¥16M base salary per year, depending on experience, plus incentive. Benefits in line with company policy, with details shared during the interview process.

SELECTION PROCESS
Application review → Interviews (several rounds, including in English) → Assignment (a proposed plan for entering the Japanese market) → Offer

Stay connected with us on LinkedIn or keep an eye on our career page for future opportunities!