The Role
Manage business development and client relationships at CIC Tokyo, driving sales, fostering partnerships, and engaging with the innovation community.
Summary Generated by Built In
We are seeking a passionate sales expert with a talent for building strong client relationships and achieving ambitious targets. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth of our proudly world-leading site in Tokyo, home to a unique and innovative community. Join our CIC Tokyo Relationship Management & Sales Team and play a vital role in expanding and nurturing our customer-centric community. If this resonates with you, we invite you to read on!
ABOUT CIC & CIC TOKYO
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 1.5M square meters of innovation-focused workspace, laboratories, and event space across North America, Europe and Asia. Additionally, CIC develops innovation-related programming, builds and enables industry clusters, and provides world-class innovation consulting.
CIC Tokyo is our first site located in Asia. Opened in October 2020 in one of the business districts of Minato-ku, CIC Tokyo is a one-of-a-kind innovation-oriented center in Japan with a total area of about 6,000 square meters on the 15th and 16th floors of the Toranomon Hills Business Tower. We provide a vast workspace with the capacity to house more than 250 companies. CIC Tokyo is centered on companies that aim to grow, and communities and services that are looking to accelerate their business growth and global expansion. Because of its influence in startup and innovation scenery, CIC Tokyo has frequent visits of VIPs such as Prime Minister Kishida, Governor Koike, and other business leaders in Japan. It is now recognized as a prestigious center of new businesses and startups by business leaders throughout the country.
Learn more about us here.
YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK
You will be working alongside the leadership team in Tokyo selling a product and service that has a great reputation. You will help build a positive name and awareness of CIC in Tokyo and Japan to develop leads, attract new clients, and maintain a strong relationship supporting them once they are clients operating within the space. You will also be responsible for developing relationships to integrate CIC Tokyo into the local community.
More specifically;
Business Development & Growth
- Drive sales by identifying and securing new clients and partners (startups, corporates, governments, investors, ecosystem players).
- Manage the full sales cycle: from prospecting and pitching to negotiating and closing deals.
- Build and maintain a healthy pipeline, meeting or exceeding growth targets.
Relationship & Account Management
- Foster long-term relationships with members, clients, and partners, acting as their trusted point of contact.
- Ensure clients receive outstanding service and value, identifying opportunities for collaboration, upselling, or cross-connection within the CIC network.
- Partner with internal teams to deliver an excellent client and community experience.
Community & Ecosystem Engagement
- Actively connect startups, corporates, and public sector stakeholders to enable partnerships.
- Represent CIC Japan at external events and host internal gatherings that strengthen the ecosystem.
- Contribute ideas and energy to make CIC’s community even more dynamic and inclusive.
ABOUT YOU
You are a professional with a complementary set of skills and style to represent CIC to prospective companies and support current clients at the highest levels of service. You are an articulate and ethical individual who has strong written and verbal communication, organizational skills, and time management skills.
You are someone who:
- Is committed to mission-driven work, seeing your role as part of a larger effort to create meaningful impact.
- Can own and manage multiple tasks with precision, paying attention to details without losing sight of the bigger picture.
- Excels at building and maintaining positive relationships with clients, colleagues, and partners — you are a true team player.
- Is comfortable working with everyone, treating all people as equals with respect and openness.
- Has been successful in past roles, and has learned resilience and growth through challenges or setbacks.
- Works independently while also communicating clearly and effectively with colleagues and clients.
- Makes confident decisions based on the best available information.
- Is personable, approachable, and happy to help others, thriving in a busy, ever-evolving environment.
- Is a naturally curious learner, unafraid to ask questions and eager to keep improving.
YOU HAVE
- 4–7 years of experience in sales, business development, or relationship management.
- Experience in innovation, coworking, or ecosystem-building environments is a plus.
- Fluency in both Japanese and English (spoken and written).
- Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills across cultures and industries.
If you don't meet all the requirements or qualifications but bring some other unique skills and experience that would be valuable in this role, please apply and highlight those attributes for us in your cover letter.
OUR OFFER
• Competitive salary, adjusted to match your experience.
• Permanent contract.
• Laptop and mobile phone as your working tools.
• Access to global CIC locations.
• Commuting / transportation allowance.
Please submit your application in English. Thank you!
CIC welcomes all candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status or disability. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
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The Company
What We Do
CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) helps exceptional entrepreneurs around the globe innovate better and faster. In service of fixing the world through innovation, CIC creates the highest quality infrastructure and programing for innovators. This includes flexible and custom office space; shared wet lab facilities; civic innovation spaces; and targeted initiatives to support changemakers, disruptors, and out-of-the-box thinkers in growing their companies.
