Jobs in Japan

<Job Description>:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Continuously stay informed of the company’s strategic goals, as well as active sales and engineering projects in order to achieve peak departmental performance.
2. Be able to establish strategic direction and goals for the Marketing effort that integrates the company’s strategic directions and goals.
3. Maintain a high level of professional awareness and knowledge and to apply new marketing technologies and practices to the benefit of the company.
4. Manage function using a continuous, high level of organization, planning, productivity and efficiency to drive marketing projects to completion according to planned schedules.
5. Assure a consistently thorough, timely and creative approach, and provide feedback on accuracy, content and design for Japan market.
6. Work with international marketing personnel to gain an understanding on how to best promote our brand in Japan and leverage successful marketing communications initiatives while ensuring a consistent brand image is maintained globally.
7. Work closely with and support other mangers and departments in the launch of new products with the development of marketing materials such as: advertisements, press releases, white papers, brochures, presentations, catalog, etc.
8. Keep Product Management, Marketing Managers, International Managers and senior management informed of new marketing communications initiatives including the scheduling and progress of marketing projects.
9. Readily and proactively share marketing information and marketing materials with international offices. ie. Oversee and maintain our Knowledge Database.
10. Coordinate priority changes responding quickly and effectively to new or changing circumstances and opportunities.
11. Manage public relations efforts in Japan, including determining best magazines for advertisement; selecting and writing press releases; propose, discuss and provide editorial assistance for magazine articles. Work to establish and maintain relationships with the press in order to gain free exposure in industry related and end-user vertical market publications.
12. Work to track leads and measure the success of marketing communications initiatives and make recommendations or changes to plans to optimize return on investment.
13. Conduct monthly Marketing meetings to communicate business issues and review progress with US and Japan staff.
14. Abilty to negotiate with various vendors and suppliers ie: trade show space, advertising space

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

1. Oversee development of operating procedures and guidelines for the Marketing Communications department in order to assure a consistently thorough and methodical approach to relevant marketing activities.
2. Provide marketing advice and guidance to other departments within the company to ensure overall marketing effectiveness.
3. Work with the Information Services Department (MIS) to qualify and implement new hardware and software to meet the needs of the marketing communications function.

POSITION PURPOSE:

Provide leadership and direction to assure execution of the Global Marketing Plan within Japan. Provide continuous level of marketing support for Sales team. Responsible for planning, directing and coordinating the branding and promotion of our product lines and programs and for the management of the marketing functions including: use of graphic design, electronic marketing and public relations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS/BA in Marketing or related field a plus
• 3 years marketing or related experience preferred
• Superior written and verbal communication skills including translating English > Japanese.
• Methodical, organized work habits and project management skills.
• Prior work experience with a large company that has a strong brand recognition and reputation in marketing promotion preferred.
• Knowledge of IT industry a plus
• Proficient in the use of computers (Microsoft and Lotus Notes preferred)
• Graphic Design skills a plus (example: Knowledge of Quark, PowerPoint, Illustrator and Photoshop software including experience with both Mac and IBM compatible platforms preferred.
• Web Design experience a plus.
• Previous exposure/experience with global marketing.
• Strong verbal and written English Language skills

* Highly bilingual in Japanese/English, to the point of being able to translate English marketing materials into Japanese.

* At least 2yrs of marketing experience in Japan. (We are also very open to candidates with significantly more exeperience: example- 15 years)

* Able to set up and manage a small marketing dept including budgeting, but also willing to remain hands-on until the dept reaches sufficient size

* Able to liase with US and other global counterparts regarding localizing Japan focused marketing campaigns, by sourcing existing global marketing materials

* Experience marketing through traditional magazine advertising, and also websites, catalogues

* Willing to, and interested to, contribute their marketing skills for the technology industry

* Experience marketing to large non-Japanese financial firms in Tokyo, a definite plus

* Good communicator, organized and able to multi-task

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