Manager / Senior Manager, Japan Partnerships & Artist Relations

WE'RE HIRING!

Manager / Senior Manager, Japan Partnerships & Artist Relations

SOZO Pte Ltd | Singapore | Hybrid | Japanese-speaking

Build relationships. Develop opportunities. Bring Japanese entertainment to audiences across Asia.

SOZO is the company behind Anime Festival Asia, bringing Japanese pop culture to audiences through festivals, concerts and entertainment projects across the region.

We are looking for a commercially minded, Japanese-speaking professional to own and grow our relationships with Japanese clients, entertainment companies and artist-management teams.

You will build trust, lead discussions, develop opportunities and work with our teams to deliver successful projects. We are looking for someone who combines attentive client care with the initiative and judgement to turn relationships into long-term business.

SOZO

What you will do

• Own and grow relationships. Manage an assigned portfolio of Japanese clients, partners and artist-management relationships. Understand their priorities, anticipate their needs and become a trusted point of contact for SOZO.
• Develop business opportunities. Strengthen existing partnerships and build new connections. Identify opportunities across festivals, concerts, fan experiences and related entertainment projects, and turn ideas into actionable proposals.
• Lead discussions and negotiations. Conduct meetings and correspondence in Japanese, develop proposals and negotiate project scope and commercial terms within agreed approval limits. Bring recommendations and practical solutions to the table.
• Turn commitments into results. Work with our production, marketing, hospitality and finance teams to translate partner requirements into clear actions. Manage expectations, resolve issues and follow through from project delivery to the next opportunity.

What we are looking for

• Professional Japanese and strong English. Japanese is required to lead business discussions, negotiations and written communication with Japanese clients and artist-management companies. English is required to work effectively with SOZO's Singapore and regional teams.
• Proven relationship-management experience. A background in account management, partnerships, business development, commercial project management or a related field, with evidence of taking ownership of client relationships and outcomes.
• Commercial drive and sound judgement. The ability to identify opportunities, recommend a course of action, handle difficult conversations professionally and follow through without constant prompting.
• Genuine passion for Japanese entertainment. An interest in ACG, J-pop or the wider Japanese pop culture industry, together with an interest in the business behind the content.
• A reliable, hands-on approach. Strong organisation, attention to clients needs, discretion with sensitive information and the ability to manage multiple projects.

Experience in entertainment, music, events, licensing, media or agencies serving Japanese clients would be an advantage. Candidates from other industries with strong commercial and relationship-management experience are also welcome.

An established industry network is helpful, but the ability to build and develop relationships is equally important.

This role involves regional travel and some evening or weekend work around projects and events.

Appointment at Manager or Senior Manager level will depend on relevant experience, demonstrated capability and readiness to take ownership.

How to apply

Send your CV to [Confidential Information]

Subject: Application: Japan Partnerships & Artist Relations

Please include a short introduction highlighting your experience managing client or partner relationships and how you have used Japanese professionally. A few sentences in English or Japanese are sufficient; no separate cover letter is required.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial conversation in Japanese and English. Later-stage candidates may be asked to complete a brief, role-related practical assessment.

Bring your passion for Japanese entertainment and the drive to build the business behind it.

www.sozo.sg