Partnerships Manager, Japan (Performance Marketing & Merchant Partnerships)

About the Role:

We are seeking a Partnerships Manager to lead and scale our merchant and strategic partner ecosystem in Japan. This is a senior, high-impact role focused on driving commercial growth through partnerships, with a strong emphasis on performance marketing solutions and payment ecosystem integrations.

You will own relationships with key stakeholders, including merchants, acquirers, payment gateways, and marketing partners, while shaping go-to-market strategies and unlocking new revenue opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Build and Scale Pulse iD’s Merchant Business in Japan

• Take full ownership of building Pulse iD’s merchant and strategic partner ecosystem in Japan.
• Proactively originate, pursue, and secure new merchant opportunities, with a clear expectation that this role will create commercial momentum through direct outreach, relationship building, and disciplined follow-through.
• Lead the development of Pulse iD’s merchant CLO and partnership business in Japan from the ground up, turning market opportunity into signed partnerships, active campaigns, and sustainable revenue growth.
• Operate with a high degree of autonomy, accountability, and personal drive, identifying what needs to be done and making it happen.

Strategic Partnerships and Business Development

• Identify, prioritize, and develop high-value partnerships across merchants, acquirers, payment gateways, PSPs, wallet and ecosystem partners, and performance marketing platforms.
• Build and execute a clear Japan market growth plan, including target segments, partnership priorities, commercial approach, and go-to-market strategy.
• Initiate and lead partnership discussions independently, from first contact through negotiation, contracting, launch, and ongoing expansion.
• Structure commercially strong, practical partnership models that align Pulse iD’s capabilities with partner and merchant objectives.

Merchant Acquisition and Partner Management

• Personally own senior relationships with key merchants and partners in Japan, acting as the primary commercial lead in the market.
• Drive pipeline conversion by actively prospecting, pitching, negotiating, and closing new business.
• Grow the value of each partnership through strong account management, performance reviews, upsell opportunities, and long-term retention strategies.
• Ensure partners and merchants remain engaged, successful, and aligned with Pulse iD’s commercial objectives.

Performance Marketing and Revenue Delivery

• Lead the commercialization of Pulse iD’s performance marketing and card-linked offer capabilities in Japan, positioning them clearly to merchants and ecosystem partners.
• Work closely with internal teams and external partners to deliver measurable merchant ROI, campaign performance, and revenue outcomes.
• Use data and market insight to improve campaign effectiveness, strengthen partner value propositions, and unlock new revenue opportunities.
• Maintain a strong focus on execution and results, with clear accountability for commercial outcomes, partner performance, and market growth.

Market Leadership and Execution Discipline

• Act as Pulse iD’s senior commercial representative in Japan, building market credibility and expanding the company’s presence through consistent external engagement.
• Develop a strong understanding of the local payments, merchant, and marketing ecosystem and use that knowledge to shape strategy and prioritize action.
• Take responsibility for delivering against market goals, including pipeline development, partnership activation, revenue contribution, and ecosystem expansion.
• Bring a hands-on, self-motivated approach: this role is expected to open doors, create opportunities, and drive outcomes, not simply manage inbound relationships.

Reporting and Commercial Insight

• Track and report on pipeline health, partnership progress, revenue contribution, campaign performance, and strategic opportunities in Japan.
• Provide clear market feedback and commercial insight to leadership, including risks, opportunities, and recommendations for improving growth and execution.
• Maintain strong operating discipline, with regular forecasting, prioritization, and accountability against agreed targets.

Requirements

Experience

• 4 - 6 years in partnerships, business development, or account management.
• Experience in performance marketing or payments ecosystem preferred.

Skills

• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Data-driven and analytical mindset.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Language

• Fluent Japanese (Reading, Writing, Speaking)
• Professional English (Reading, Writing, Speaking)

Other

• Strong understanding of the Japan market
• An existing network is a plus

Why Join Us?

• Lead growth in Japan market
• Work at intersection of payments and marketing
• High ownership and visibility