GTM Lead, Japan

Why work at Higgsfield AI?

We're the fastest-scaling generative AI company in history, hitting $1B in annual revenue run rate, 30M+ users worldwide, 6M+ generations per day, and powering 390 of Fortune 500 brands. We're building at the absolute frontier of AI-powered video creation and next-generation creative tools. Joining Higgsfield means becoming part of a high-impact team shaping the future of AI-native experiences, at a company that isn't just moving fast, but rewriting what fast looks like.

About the role

Higgsfield AI is looking for a GTM Lead, Japan to open and own our Japanese business. You will be our first person on the ground and our primary representative in the market, responsible for turning Japan's agencies, brands, broadcasters, studios and gaming companies into Higgsfield customers.

You will define the Japan go-to-market, source and close the first Japanese enterprise and agency deals yourself, sign the distribution partners that are the natural route to market, and set the playbook that the next wave of Japan hires will follow. You will be the voice of Japan inside Higgsfield and the face of Higgsfield in Japan, working closely with our Asia-based Growth team and directly with company leadership. For the right candidate the role grows into Country Manager, with responsibility for building the Japan team.

The ideal candidate has sold creative, marketing or AI technology into Japanese enterprises and agencies, brings an existing network across Japan's largest agencies, media groups and brands, and is energised by owning a country from zero.

What you'll do

Open the Japanese market

• Build and execute Higgsfield's Japan go-to-market strategy, starting with a named list of 30 to 40 target accounts across advertising and creative agencies, consumer brands, broadcasters and streamers, anime and film studios, gaming and music, narrowed to around 10 priority accounts.

• Personally source, run and close the first Japanese enterprise and agency deals, with the patience, consensus-building and long-term orientation that Japanese business relationships require.

• Convert high-usage Japanese creators, teams and agencies already on the platform into team and enterprise accounts.

• Lead localisation of positioning, packaging, pricing, onboarding and campaigns for Japan with Marketing and Product.

Build pipeline and revenue

• Own Japan pipeline, forecast and bookings; keep 3x+ pipeline coverage and report weekly to leadership.

• Run an outbound-first, in-person motion alongside inbound from the platform: executive outreach, events, partner introductions and creator-community referrals.

• Lead commercial negotiations and enterprise agreements, and navigate Japanese procurement, security, legal and consensus processes.

• Build local references and case studies that make the next Japanese deal easier than the last.

Work the ecosystem

• Build relationships with senior executives at Japan's largest agencies, media groups, brands and technology conglomerates.

• Identify and sign the distribution partners that are the natural route to market in Japan (trading houses, telcos and platforms, system integrators, large agencies and production houses) with the Head of Partnerships.

• Represent Higgsfield at Japanese industry events, with press and in the creator community as the leading AI video platform for creative work.

• Act as the subject-matter expert on the Japanese market: competitors, regulation, rights and talent-likeness questions, and emerging AI trends, and surface them to Product, Legal and leadership.

• Work with Finance, Legal and People on the local entity, contracting and hiring groundwork as the business grows.

• Define what the Japan team should look like at 3 and 10 people, and help hire it.

What success looks like in year one

• A Japan go-to-market plan, named-account list and localised offer that leadership has signed off.

• The first marquee Japanese agency, brand or studio customers live in production, with public references.

• At least one distribution or channel partnership signed and producing pipeline.

• A forecast that is accurate within 15% quarter over quarter, and a hiring plan for the first Japan hires.

Requirements

• 8+ years in enterprise sales, business development, partnerships or GTM in Japan, including experience selling SaaS, AI, creative technology, advertising technology or media technology.

• A track record of sourcing and closing six- and seven-figure deals with Japanese enterprises yourself, not only through a team.

• Native-level Japanese and professional English; you can bridge Japanese stakeholders and an international team.

• An existing network in major Japanese agencies (for example Dentsu or Hakuhodo group companies), brands, broadcasters, studios, gaming or technology conglomerates.

• Deep understanding of Japanese business etiquette, organisational hierarchies and decision-making.

• Comfortable opening a country alone: no local marketing, SE or RevOps bench on day one, and the judgement to close on the ground while building process for scale.

• Based in Japan, ideally in or near Tokyo, and willing to be in the field: in-person meetings across Japan are a core part of this role, with travel to Almaty and San Francisco for onboarding, planning and company events.

• Genuine enthusiasm for generative AI and hands-on fluency with Higgsfield or comparable creative AI tools.

Nice to have

• Experience opening Japan for a foreign technology company, or working inside an international company's Japan team.

• Relationships in anime, film, gaming or music, or with Japanese talent agencies.

• Experience with distribution partnerships through trading houses, telcos or system integrators.

• Prior people management; the role is expected to grow into Country Manager.

What we're not looking for

• A representative who relays requests to HQ rather than closing deals and making decisions locally.

• Someone whose success has depended on an established Japanese brand with inbound demand and a full local team.

• A strategy-only leader who needs a team before they can produce results.

What we offer

• Competitive base salary in USD, based on your experience, skills, and the scope of the role.

• Equity participation through the company's stock option program, giving you the opportunity to share in Higgsfield's long-term growth.

• Relocation support for candidates moving from another city or country.

• A highly collaborative, fast-paced environment where you can work directly with experienced leaders and have a meaningful impact on the product and company.

• Opportunities for professional growth, ownership, and career development as the company scales.

Location and working model

This is a Japan-based role, ideally in or near Tokyo, with the flexibility to work remotely within Japan. Expect regular in-person customer and partner meetings across Japan, and periodic travel to Almaty and San Francisco for planning sessions and company events. Team members are expected to maintain sufficient overlap with the Asia-based Growth team's working hours and to be active, responsive and close collaborators across time zones.