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
