Head of Markets Strategy & Operations, Japan

The Markets team at Spotify is responsible for managing the company's regions and their performance across all business-relevant metrics.

As Head of Market Strategy and Operations, you will be responsible for strategic direction based on business analysis and insights; business planning; regional operating processes; and managing cross-functional projects by building strong relationships across the company.

What You'll Do

Problem Solving and Strategic Projects:

• Collaborate with the Managing Director as a thought partner to chart regional strategy and initiatives.
• Evaluate and execute strategic market opportunities, identifying and recommending growth and differentiation strategies with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Identify and solve operational problems on a tactical level with practical and creative approaches.
• Step in and execute alongside or in place of functions when needed.

Business Planning:

• Work with the Managing Director, Japan, and functional leads to formulate local strategy in line with Spotify's overall global strategy.
• Own and adapt the regional planning process and framework.
• Ensure that the plan takes into account all necessary local and global functions and addresses both local challenges and global priorities.

Business Reviews and Reporting:

• Track the performance of key market metrics.
• Own the process, framework, and output of market analysis and business reviews, tracking of regional budgets and initiatives as part of the business plan.
• Monitor and gather insight on competitor activities.

Operating Processes:

• Drive operations for the region by building efficiency, removing obstacles, and improving processes.
• Provide functions with the insights and knowledge needed to drive decisions and define strategy.
• Ensure communication and alignment between all functions, including Music, Podcasts, Marketing, Growth, Finance, Ad Sales, PR, and HR.
• Communicate and align with global stakeholders, including but not limited to the Global functions in Markets & Subscriptions.

Who You Are

• A minimum of 8-12+ years of work experience, including an early or growth-stage internet company and/or top-tier management consultancy, and experience working with an international team.
• Passionate and have a deep understanding of the technology and music spaces.
• Familiar with Japanese popular culture, the Japanese business landscape, and Japanese consumer behavior.
• Thought leader with proven results demonstrating business judgment.
• General business skills, equally comfortable analyzing data, coordinating internal projects, speaking to partners, or negotiating a deal.
• Organized, process-driven strategic thinker with an understanding of planning and budgeting.
• Analytical expert, developing and interpreting deep data analysis and presenting rigorous analysis and insights with simplicity, clarity, and confidence.
• Rapid and effective decision-making skills.
• Ability to learn new concepts, technologies, and businesses quickly and produce quality work in short time-frames.
• Outstanding communication skills:
• Speaking and presenting in front of groups, building concise and illustrative presentations.
• Writing succinct but detailed memos and briefs.
• Confident, friendly, supportive verbal manner and inquiry.
• Ability to manage internal stakeholders and align teams even with diverse levels of seniority and tenure.
• Genuine, confident, flexible, and fun attitude.
• Thrive in a constantly-changing but always-exciting environment!
• Bilingual in English and Japanese.

Where You'll Be

• This role is based in Tokyo.
• Flexibility to work where you work best, with some in-person meetings.