Director, Strategic Growth Initiatives (Tokyo-Based)

📌 Core Information 🔹 Job Title: Director, Strategic Growth Initiatives (Tokyo-Based) 🔹 Company: Agoda 🔹 Location: Tokyo, Tōkyō, Japan 🔹 Job Type: On-site 🔹 Category: Strategic Growth Initiatives 🔹 Date Posted: May 21, 2025 🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years 🚀 Job Overview Key aspects of this role include: - Defining, communicating, and executing the growth strategy for the partnership business in Japan, in alignment with department and company visions. - Driving business development initiatives and growing existing partnerships through innovation, executing the regional partnership growth strategy with key partners. - Leading cross-functional projects to deliver top-line and bottom-line growth, working on C-level priorities with regular oversight from the C-suite. - Delivering on country commercial and profitability targets through robust performance management, enhancing profitability and driving competitive advantage. - Leading, coaching, and developing a multifunctional team through upskilling and coaching. - Establishing and maintaining robust relationships at senior levels with key partners, influencing partnership expansions and identifying significant opportunities. - Identifying growth opportunities by leading cross-functional initiatives, including product, marketing, finance, and other critical functions, to explore new partnership models. - Successfully influencing and managing senior internal stakeholders, both upwards and cross-functionally, to set and drive common objectives and achieve business impact. - Coordinating with senior leadership on strategic planning, objectives, and resource allocation to ensure the competitiveness of Agoda’s and other Booking Holdings group companies’ partnership products and services in the Japanese market. - Effectively communicating business updates to senior leadership through Quarterly Business Reviews, Strategic Deep Dives, and other ad hoc requests. 📋 Key Responsibilities ✅ Strategic Planning and Execution: Define, communicate, and execute the growth strategy for the partnership business in Japan, driving business development initiatives, and leading cross-functional projects to deliver top-line and bottom-line growth. ✅ Performance Management: Deliver on country commercial and profitability targets through robust performance management, enhancing profitability and driving competitive advantage. ✅ Team Leadership and Development: Lead, coach, and develop a multifunctional team through upskilling and coaching, establishing and maintaining robust relationships at senior levels with key partners. ✅ Stakeholder Management: Influence and manage senior internal stakeholders, both upwards and cross-functionally, to set and drive common objectives and achieve business impact. ✅ Strategic Communication: Effectively communicate business updates to senior leadership through Quarterly Business Reviews, Strategic Deep Dives, and other ad hoc requests. 🎯 Required Qualifications Education: - Bachelor's degree from a well-known institution, preferably an MBA Experience: - Over 15 years of professional experience - 5-7+ years of experience in leading, coaching, and developing teams, with a proven success record in rapidly changing environments - General management experience in the online industry, with project management and consulting experience - Strategic thinker with strong numerical and analytical skills - Fluent in English and Japanese, with strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative attitude - Resourceful, energetic, and self-driven personality - Ability to move fast, adapt well to, and be energized by change Preferred Qualifications: - Relevant account management and business development experience - Experience in, or strong connections with, online travel or e-commerce - International experience strongly preferred 💰 Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: Competitive salary package based on experience and industry standards for a role of this level and location. The estimated salary range is ¥20,000,000 - ¥30,000,000 JPY per year. Benefits: - Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance - Retirement savings plan with company matching - Generous vacation and leave policies - Employee stock purchase plan - Wellness programs and gym membership reimbursement - Learning and development opportunities, including language courses and professional certifications - Relocation assistance for international candidates Working Hours: Full-time position with standard Japanese working hours (9:00 AM - 5:30 PM) and occasional overtime as needed. 📌 Applicant Insights 🔍 Company Context Industry: Online travel and technology Company Size: Mid-size (5,001-10,000 employees) Founded: 2005 Company Description: Agoda is a global online travel booking platform focused on accommodations, flights, activities, and more. As part of Booking Holdings, Agoda offers a wide range of travel products and services, connecting travelers with over 5,000,000 hotels and holiday properties, 130,000+ flight routes, and 360,000+ activities worldwide. Company Specialties: - Online travel and e-commerce - Hotel and accommodation booking - Flight and activity booking - Travel technology and software development - Global travel market leadership Company Website: Agoda.com 📊 Role Analysis Career Level: Executive-level role with significant strategic and leadership responsibilities Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, with matrix reporting to other senior leaders within Agoda and Booking Holdings Work Arrangement: On-site role based in Tokyo, Japan, with occasional travel required for meetings and business development activities Growth Opportunities: - Potential to expand the partnership business in Japan and across the Asia Pacific region - Opportunities to work on high-impact strategic projects and drive significant business growth - Exposure to senior leadership and C-suite stakeholders, providing opportunities for career advancement 🌍 Location & Work Environment Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with open-plan and dedicated team areas Office Location: Tokyo, Japan, with additional offices in Singapore, Bangkok, Sydney, Shanghai, Budapest, Gurugram, Taipei, Yokohama, London, Beijing, and Phuket Geographic Context: - Tokyo, Japan: A major global financial and technology hub with a vibrant startup ecosystem - Japan: A large and mature online travel market with significant growth potential Work Schedule: Standard Japanese working hours with flexible arrangements for remote work and overtime as needed 💼 Interview & Application Insights Typical Process: 1. Online application submission 2. Phone or video screening with the hiring manager 3. In-depth behavioral and situational interviews with senior leaders and team members 4. Final round interviews with senior leadership, including the Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships 5. Background and reference checks Key Assessment Areas: - Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills - Leadership and team management capabilities - Cross-functional project management and stakeholder communication - Cultural fit and adaptability to Agoda's work environment Application Tips: - Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role - Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your leadership and strategic planning abilities - Research Agoda's business and industry trends to demonstrate your understanding of the role and market dynamics - Practice your Japanese language skills, as fluency is required for this role ATS Keywords: Strategic Planning, Business Development, Partnership Growth, Team Leadership, Cross-Functional Projects, Stakeholder Management, Japanese Fluency, Online Travel Industry, E-commerce, Agoda, Booking Holdings 🛠️ Tools & Technologies - Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) - Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs) - Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello) - Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau, Power BI) - CRM and marketing automation tools (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo) - Online collaboration and communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet) 👔 Cultural Fit Considerations Company Values: - Customer-centric approach - Data-driven decision-making - Collaborative and inclusive work environment - Continuous learning and improvement - Global perspective and diversity Work Style: - Agile and adaptable to change - Results-driven and focused on execution - Strong interpersonal and communication skills - Ability to work effectively in a matrix organization - Comfortable with ambiguity and able to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics Self-Assessment Questions: - How do you approach strategic planning and execution in a rapidly changing environment? - Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully influenced senior stakeholders to drive common objectives? - How do you ensure the competitiveness of Agoda's partnership products and services in a dynamic market? - How do you balance the need for short-term results with long-term strategic goals? - How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, particularly in a matrix organization? ⚠️ Potential Challenges - Navigating complex stakeholder dynamics and competing priorities - Balancing short-term results with long-term strategic goals - Managing a multifunctional team with diverse skills and backgrounds - Adapting to a rapidly changing market and competitive landscape - Maintaining a strong work-life balance in a demanding role 📈 Similar Roles Comparison - Role Differences: This role focuses on strategic growth initiatives and partnership development, while similar roles may emphasize operational management, product development, or marketing. - Industry Context: The online travel industry is dynamic and competitive, with a strong focus on technology and innovation. This role requires a deep understanding of the industry and relevant market trends. - Career Path Comparison: This role offers significant opportunities for career advancement within Agoda and the broader Booking Holdings group, with potential paths including senior leadership roles, general management, or functional expertise. 📝 Sample Projects - Developing and executing a strategic growth plan for the Japanese partnership business, driving significant revenue growth and market share expansion - Leading a cross-functional team to launch a new partnership product, achieving high user adoption and positive customer feedback - Negotiating and closing strategic partnership deals with key industry players, generating substantial revenue and market share gains - Managing a team to optimize partnership performance, improving profitability and driving competitive advantage ❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview - What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days? - How does this role fit into the broader strategic vision for Agoda's partnership business in Japan? - What are the most significant challenges facing the partnership business in Japan, and how can this role address them? - How does Agoda support the professional development and growth of its employees? - What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure success in this role, and how are they tracked and reported? 📝 Next Steps for Applicants To apply for this position: 1. Submit your application through the provided link: Agoda Careers 2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role 3. Prepare for phone or video screening interviews, focusing on your leadership and strategic planning abilities 4. Research Agoda's business and industry trends to demonstrate your understanding of the role and market dynamics 5. Practice your Japanese language skills, as fluency is required for this role 6. Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview, expressing your interest in the role and asking any clarifying questions ⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.