General Manager - Japan
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 27, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 24, 2026.
Description
About Artlist
Artlist is the leading AI creation platform helping teams build, deploy, and scale their content output by combining all the leading AI models, AI tools, and a world-class stock catalog in one place. Plus, with a dedicated partnership from our award-winning creative team, organizations have everything they need to succeed with AI today. Trusted by 50M+ creators and 50% of Fortune 100 companies worldwide including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Versace, Artlist provides a seamless, subscription-based platform with a global license to produce professional video content efficiently and securely. For more information, visitartlist.io.
The role
As we expand internationally, we are building a local presence in key markets. As General Manager for Japan, you will be the first senior leader on the ground. You will own Artlist's business in the market, build relationships with local companies and turn them into long-term partnerships. This is an entrepreneurial role with real ownership: you will shape how Artlist grows in Japan from the start.
What you'll do
- Own the business in Japan, including strategy, revenue and targets
- Define and execute the local go-to-market plan, adapted to the market's needs and culture
- Build a strong network of relationships with local businesses, from mid-size companies to large enterprises, and lead key deals end to end
- Develop long-term partnerships that drive deep adoption of Artlist's solutions across client teams
- Identify strategic partners in the local ecosystem, such as agencies, resellers and industry bodies
- Represent Artlist in the market at industry events, in the media and in the local creative and business community
- Bring market insights back to HQ to inform product, pricing and marketing decisions
- Build and lead a local team as the business grows
Requirements
What we're looking for
- Extensive experience in B2B sales, ideally in SaaS, tech or creative/media/ ad agency
- Proven experience building or scaling a business in a new market, as a Country Manager, GM or in a similar role
- A strong existing network among senior decision-makers (CMOs, CEOs) in Japan,
- A track record of closing and growing enterprise deals and building long-term client relationships
- An entrepreneurial, hands-on approach: comfortable starting from zero and working with a high degree of independence
- Excellent communication and presentation skills; native-level business Japanese and fluent English
- Experience working with a global HQ across time zones and cultures
Nice to have
- Familiarity with generative AI tools and the creative content space
- Experience in the advertising, agency or production world
- Experience building and managing a local team