Office Director, Japan

Are you interested in joining a dynamic and international team of professionals to transform education? IE University's Global Markets is looking for an Director to join its team! 

We are seeking a Director for the IE Japan Office, responsible for driving brand awareness and student recruitment for a leading global educational institution offering programs across business, law, public policy, architecture, design, and more. This is a strategic country management role that encompasses business development, marketing, and sales responsibilities. The Director will work collaboratively with global and regional teams, while independently leading initiatives tailored to the Japanese market. 

Why IE University?

With 50 years of experience and founded by and for entrepreneurs, IE University has turned business education on its head through disruptive teaching. We count on high-level faculty who bring real-world experience into the classroom and foster a hands-on approach to learning. 

Our Purpose

At IE University, we foster positive change through education, research, and innovation.

As a transformative educational institution, we empower students to make their mark on the world. We provide them with the skills, knowledge and environment needed to make a difference, and they join a supportive and international community that lasts a lifetime.

Our spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship has allowed us to drive change and constantly stay at the cutting edge of higher education. And through diversity, we have harnessed the power of people while also understanding and embracing the importance of humanities.  

Our People

At IE we are:

• People-driven
• Change Builders
• Autonomy Enthusiasts
• Communication Enthusiasts
• Knowledge Champions

We are looking for a person to join a full-time position in Tokyo, Japan.

Your role as Associate Director will involve: 

• Develop and execute recruitment strategies for IE’s Master, Undergraduate, Executive Education programs and IE NYC programs in Japan. 

• Design and implement IE brand awareness initiatives, including digital marketing, PR, and media engagement. 

• Organize and lead events such as education fairs, school visits, company presentations, career days, and information sessions. 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Japan local high schools and counselors. 

• Collaborate with marketing and communications departments to implement strategic campaigns. 

• Plan, manage, and allocate the annual commercial budget, ensuring effectiveness and ROI. 

• Engage alumni and parent communities in coordination with the Alumni Relations team; support IE Alumni Club Tokyo Chapter and events. 

• Establish partnerships with universities, corporations, government agencies, and educational bodies. 

• Manage the prospective student pipeline using CRM tools; conduct informative interviews and support admissions process. 

• Monitor and share market insights and competitor activity with global teams. 

• Represent the institution at high-level events and manage local media engagement. 

• Support faculty visits and outreach to expand institutional presence in Japan. 

• Regularly report performance and market activity to the Regional Director and headquarters. 

To thrive in this role, you should have:  

• Japan permanent residence or work visa (We do not provide visa support) 

• Native-level Japanese proficiency is mandatory in all of four abilities: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking 

• Advanced business-level English, equivalent to Eiken Grade 1 

• An MBA or Master's degree from IE or a globally recognized institution outside of Japan 

• At least 5 years of full-time professional experience in business development, marketing, sales, or related fields. *Part-time or internship experience is not counted toward this requirement. 

• A strong sense of independence and ethics, along with healthy mental resilience and physical stamina to actively manage frequent business travel. 

The ideal candidate will have: 

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills both in Japanese and English 

• Strong interpersonal communication skills and relationship-building abilities 

• Self-starter mindset: proactive, resourceful, and able to drive initiatives independently 

• Sales-savvy funnel management skills, with a clear understanding of necessary actions at each stage and the ability to successfully close deals 

• Analytical skills and familiarity with CRM and marketing automation tools 

• Strong knowledge of the Japanese education and/or international recruitment market 

• Entrepreneurial spirit with commercial drive and strategic thinking 

• Experience managing budgets and analyzing marketing performance 

• Ability to travel domestically and occasionally internationally 

• Commitment to working with us for the long term 

Location, Reporting, and Evaluation 

• Location: Tokyo, Japan 

• Reporting line: Reports to the Regional Director for APAC 

• Performance: Evaluated semi-annually; compensation tied to both individual and team performance 

Why Join 

• Lead the Japan market strategy with high autonomy 

• Work in a dynamic, international, and mission-driven environment 

• Develop the ability to set your own goals and strategies and execute them independently 

It’s time to bring your best and leave your mark. Now the choice is yours! 

If you want to be part of this educational revolution, we invite you to apply and be part of our amazing team at IE University. 

At IE University, we actively promote equal opportunities in recruitment processes and access to employment, always ensuring the absence of gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, ethnic origin, or disability bias throughout the entire selection process.