Business Development Manager (Japanese and English bilingual)
33 USA Inc., Los Angeles, CA, United States
Position Summary
33 USA Inc. is seeking a results-oriented Business Development Manager to drive our agency's growth in North America. Sitting at the intersection of Business Development and Client Services. You will be responsible for defining sales strategies to acquire new clients while acting as a strategic partner to key existing accounts to maximize their lifetime value. As a Manager, you will oversee the sales pipeline, mentor junior BD Leads, and work directly with leadership to bridge Japanese content with the global market.
Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities
Strategic Business Development (Sales Strategy & Acquisition)
Revenue Ownership: Own the annual revenue target for the North American market; develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy to achieve high-growth goals
Pipeline Management: Oversee the entire sales cycle from prospecting to closing. Target high-value contracts with major entertainment studios, publishers, and streaming platforms
Partnership Building: Identify and negotiate complex partnership structures, including licensing deals, agency-of-record (AOR) agreements, and joint ventures
Network Expansion: Represent the company agency at key industry events like Anime Expo, Comic-Con, CES, SXSW, Licensing Expo to build a robust network of client and partner company decision-makers
Account Management & Client Success (Account Executive Role)
Strategic Advisory: Act as the senior point of contact for key clients, moving beyond transactional requests to provide long‑term marketing consultancy and brand strategy
Upsell & Cross‑sell: Identify opportunities within existing accounts to expand service scope (e.g., adding PR, Social Media Marketing, Event Marketing, Digital Marketing, Creative Production, or PR services to existing projects)
Client Retention: Oversee client health and satisfaction, conducting Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) to demonstrate ROI and secure contract renewals
Financial Management: Manage account profitability (P&L), ensure accurate forecasting, and oversee billing/contract negotiations to protect agency margins
Team Leadership & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Team Management: Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Business Development Leads and Associates. Set individual KPIs and provide coaching to improve their pitching and closing skills
Internal Alignment: Collaborate with Marketing, Creative, and Project Management teams to ensure that promises made during the sales process are feasible and delivered with excellence
HQ Liaison: Serve as a bridge between the US office and Japan Headquarters, ensuring global strategies are localized effectively for the North American market
Qualifications (Skills & Experience)
Required:
Experience: 5+ years of experience in Business Development, Account Management, or Sales within a Marketing Agency, Advertising, or Entertainment industry setting
Bilingual Proficiency: Native-level proficiency in English and Japanese
Track Record: Proven history of meeting or exceeding revenue targets ($1M+ annual portfolio management experience preferred)
Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the US & Japanese entertainment landscape (Anime, Manga, Gaming) and marketing agency business models
Leadership: 2+ years of experience in managing or mentoring junior team members
Preferred:
Account Executive Expertise: Strong grasp of digital marketing, media planning, and creative production workflows to effectively consult clients
Network: Existing relationships with key stakeholders in the US entertainment and licensing sectors
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field. MBA is a plus
Key Competencies
Commercial Acumen: Ability to structure deals that are profitable for the agency and valuable for the client
Consultative Selling: Ability to diagnose client business problems and propose tailored marketing solutions
Cross‑Cultural Agility: Expertly navigate the nuances between US corporate culture and Japanese business etiquette
Benefits
A number of programs cover all employees in the manner prescribed by law. Additionally, 33 USA Inc. provides several Company‑designated benefit programs.
Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
Hybrid Work Model
While we currently offer this hybrid arrangement, please note that our work model may evolve to meet changing business needs. The company reserves the right to modify work arrangements at its sole discretion. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we continually assess and optimize our work environment.
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33 USA Inc. is seeking a results-oriented Business Development Manager to drive our agency's growth in North America. Sitting at the intersection of Business Development and Client Services. You will be responsible for defining sales strategies to acquire new clients while acting as a strategic partner to key existing accounts to maximize their lifetime value. As a Manager, you will oversee the sales pipeline, mentor junior BD Leads, and work directly with leadership to bridge Japanese content with the global market.
Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities
Strategic Business Development (Sales Strategy & Acquisition)
Revenue Ownership: Own the annual revenue target for the North American market; develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy to achieve high-growth goals
Pipeline Management: Oversee the entire sales cycle from prospecting to closing. Target high-value contracts with major entertainment studios, publishers, and streaming platforms
Partnership Building: Identify and negotiate complex partnership structures, including licensing deals, agency-of-record (AOR) agreements, and joint ventures
Network Expansion: Represent the company agency at key industry events like Anime Expo, Comic-Con, CES, SXSW, Licensing Expo to build a robust network of client and partner company decision-makers
Account Management & Client Success (Account Executive Role)
Strategic Advisory: Act as the senior point of contact for key clients, moving beyond transactional requests to provide long‑term marketing consultancy and brand strategy
Upsell & Cross‑sell: Identify opportunities within existing accounts to expand service scope (e.g., adding PR, Social Media Marketing, Event Marketing, Digital Marketing, Creative Production, or PR services to existing projects)
Client Retention: Oversee client health and satisfaction, conducting Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) to demonstrate ROI and secure contract renewals
Financial Management: Manage account profitability (P&L), ensure accurate forecasting, and oversee billing/contract negotiations to protect agency margins
Team Leadership & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Team Management: Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Business Development Leads and Associates. Set individual KPIs and provide coaching to improve their pitching and closing skills
Internal Alignment: Collaborate with Marketing, Creative, and Project Management teams to ensure that promises made during the sales process are feasible and delivered with excellence
HQ Liaison: Serve as a bridge between the US office and Japan Headquarters, ensuring global strategies are localized effectively for the North American market
Qualifications (Skills & Experience)
Required:
Experience: 5+ years of experience in Business Development, Account Management, or Sales within a Marketing Agency, Advertising, or Entertainment industry setting
Bilingual Proficiency: Native-level proficiency in English and Japanese
Track Record: Proven history of meeting or exceeding revenue targets ($1M+ annual portfolio management experience preferred)
Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the US & Japanese entertainment landscape (Anime, Manga, Gaming) and marketing agency business models
Leadership: 2+ years of experience in managing or mentoring junior team members
Preferred:
Account Executive Expertise: Strong grasp of digital marketing, media planning, and creative production workflows to effectively consult clients
Network: Existing relationships with key stakeholders in the US entertainment and licensing sectors
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field. MBA is a plus
Key Competencies
Commercial Acumen: Ability to structure deals that are profitable for the agency and valuable for the client
Consultative Selling: Ability to diagnose client business problems and propose tailored marketing solutions
Cross‑Cultural Agility: Expertly navigate the nuances between US corporate culture and Japanese business etiquette
Benefits
A number of programs cover all employees in the manner prescribed by law. Additionally, 33 USA Inc. provides several Company‑designated benefit programs.
Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
Hybrid Work Model
While we currently offer this hybrid arrangement, please note that our work model may evolve to meet changing business needs. The company reserves the right to modify work arrangements at its sole discretion. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we continually assess and optimize our work environment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr