{"id":1164974,"url":"https://alion.io/job/axis-communications-sales-director-japan","title":"Sales Director, Japan","company":{"id":4200,"name":"Axis Communications","domain":"axis.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/axis-communications","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":94,"open_postings":4,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.25,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":23,"computed_at":"2026-09-24T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Sales","role_family":"Sales","seniority":"head","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"explicit","locations":["Tokyo, Japan"],"countries":["JP"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":46000,"max_usd":125000,"period":"year","method":"global_role_cell_scaled_by_country","sample_n":2472},"experience_years_min":15,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Agile","optional":false},{"name":"Intercom","optional":false},{"name":"Salesforce","optional":false},{"name":"YouTube","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-24T02:15:52Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-24","last_verified_at":"2026-09-25T02:04:19Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":1,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":1},"description":"Job Title\nSales Director, JapanJob Description\nOverview\nLooking for a new start? Think bigger. Think Axis!\nWe believe in building long-term relationships.\nWe will support you to flourish in your role in a truly global company.\nThe Sales Director, Japan is responsible for the overall development, strategic decision-making, and implementation of the regional sales strategy that improves Axis’ competitive position in the Japanese market, fully aligned with Axis corporate goals and values.\nIn this pivotal leadership role, you will have functional management and absolute ownership of the entire end-to-end sales planning lifecycle, from strategy development and execution to performance monitoring and corrective action across Japan. You will directly lead and mentor three Sales Managers (KAM, AM, and Inside Sales), overseeing the entire domestic sales force.\nA critical mission of this role is serving as the strategic bridge between the local market and global leadership. You will articulate and translate Japan's unique business practices, market dynamics, and partner ecosystems to the Regional Director and global stakeholders to secure alignment and corporate backing. As a core member of the Japan Leadership team, you are expected to act as a role model and drive a collaborative, high-performance organization.\nReports to: Regional Director (Non-Japanese / Foreign National)\nDirect Reports:Sales Manager, KAM, Japan\nSales Manager, Account Management, Japan\nSales Manager, Inside Sales, Japan\n\nLocation: Tokyo, Japan\nTravel: Extensive domestic travel and regular international travel, including APAC regions and Axis HQ in Sweden.\nResponsibilities (Key Accountabilities)\nGlobal-Local Bridging & Strategic Stakeholder Management\nAct as the primary strategic voice of the Japanese market.\nProvide the Regional Director and global/APAC leadership with data-driven insights regarding Japanese market trends, competitor movements, and partner networks.\nLocalize and execute global strategic directives and corporate guidelines to fit the Japanese business environment.\nSales Strategy & Multi-Channel Governance\nDrive strategic and tactical business planning.\nEstablish annual and quarterly sales objectives to maximize market share and sustainable growth.\nAlign and optimize the performance of three sales pillars:Executive/Enterprise High-Touch (KAM)\nTerritory/Portfolio Commercial Sales (AM)\nDigital-First Scalable Nurturing (Inside Sales)\n\nEvaluate trade shows, exhibitions, and marketing activities and ensure rigorous follow-up for ROI optimization.\nOperational Excellence & Pipeline Governance\nOversee the national project pipeline and lead queues.\nDrive accurate long-range sales forecasting.\nGovern complex pricing structures and make decisions regarding major deal approvals.\nPeople Leadership & Organizational Transformation\nManage, coach, and evaluate the three Sales Managers.\nConduct annual reviews and develop future leaders.\nChampion Axis' Core Values and Sales Methodology.\nFoster a highly motivated, agile, and collaborative environment.\nProfile (Qualifications)\nExperience & Track Record\n15+ years of professional sales experience in the IT, Network, or Security/CCTV industry.\nDeep understanding of the Japanese market and commercial practices.\n7-10+ years of senior sales leadership experience.\nProven success managing managers and senior-level sales professionals.\nExperience working within a matrixed global corporate environment.\nExperience reporting to and collaborating with foreign senior executives.\nSpecific Skills & Competencies\nExecutive Presence (C-Suite Engagement)\nStrong interpersonal, negotiation, and presentation skills.\nAbility to build long-term relationships with C-level executives and key partners.\nHigh Integrity & Conflict Resolution\nStrong integrity and confidence.\nAbility to handle customer escalations and organizational conflicts.\nData-Driven Leadership\nProficiency with CRM/Salesforce analytics.\nAbility to improve sales velocity, optimize pipelines, and deliver market intelligence.\nPersonal Attributes\nInquisitive and self-confident.\nThrives in fast-paced, changing environments.\nAble to synthesize multiple inputs into practical solutions.\nLanguage Requirements\nJapanese\nNative-level fluency or JLPT N1.\nDeep understanding of Japanese corporate etiquette, relationship-based sales models, and partner ecosystems.\nEnglish\nTOEIC L&R score of 800+ or equivalent.\nAble to independently lead high-level business discussions, presentations, and negotiations with Sweden HQ and APAC teams.\nBenefits\nCareer Development & Leadership Growth\nOpportunity to transition into executive leadership roles such as General Manager or Country Director.\nPathway to regional (APAC) and global executive opportunities.\nSignificant influence on Axis Japan's culture, business model development, and long-term growth.\nGeneral Benefits\nStrong work-life balance with minimal overtime.\nHybrid work model: 3 days office / 2 days work from home.\nMental Health and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support.\nOpportunity to work for a global market leader in network video technology with Canon Group backing.\nCertified Great Place to Work company.\nCorporate Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnQasRVqI34\nType of Employment\nPermanent EmploymentPosting End Date\n2026-12-30Certain roles at Axis require background checks, which means applicable verifications will be done in these recruitments. Notice will be provided before we take any action.\nAbout Axis Communications\nWe enable a smarter, safer world by creating innovative solutions for improving security and business performance. As a network technology company and industry leader, we offer solutions in video surveillance, access control, intercom, and audio systems, enhanced by intelligent analytics applications.\nWith around 6000 committed employees in over 50 countries, we collaborate with partners worldwide. Together, we thrive in our friendly, open, and collaborative culture and inspire each other to think beyond the expected. United by our commitment to inclusion, diversity, and sustainability, we consistently seek to develop our skills and way of working.\nLet´s create a smarter, safer world\nFor more information about Axis, please visit our website www.axis.com.\nListen to Get To Know Axis - Podcast","description_format":"text","description_chars":6306,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":15,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Hybrid work"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"Japan","iso":"JP","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Cybersecurity","Data & Analytics","Information Technology"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-24T02:15:52Z"}],"liveness":{"score":90,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.903,"p_room":1,"age_days":0,"expected_fill_days":23,"reasons":["conf:0","velocity","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-09-24T05:45:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/axis-communications-sales-director-japan","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/axis-communications-sales-director-japan.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-09-25T02:22:30Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":2531,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":2469,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-09-26T00:00:00Z"}}}