Head of Growth - Korea

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Head of Growth - Korea

🔹 Company: Speak

🔹 Location: Seoul, Seoul, South Korea

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Software Development

🔹 Date Posted: June 24, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving sustainable user acquisition, revenue expansion, and long-term retention in Korea
• Leading and scaling performance marketing efforts with a high creative output and media efficiency
• Identifying, validating, and scaling new growth channels
• Managing and mentoring a multidisciplinary growth team
• Building and optimizing reporting systems for daily/weekly visibility across various performance metrics

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and hands-on leader who can balance both high-level vision and day-to-day execution to achieve growth targets in the Korean market.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Own and deliver Korea’s growth targets by growing the subscriber base while improving LTV:CAC through data-driven acquisition and retention strategies

✅ Lead and scale performance marketing efforts, managing a budget of over $10M+ annually with high creative output, experimentation, and media efficiency

✅ Identify, validate, and scale new growth channels such as product-led growth loops, alternative paid media, and pricing/packaging innovation

✅ Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary growth team across paid UA, CRM, and more

✅ Build and optimize reporting systems for daily/weekly visibility across paid marketing, CRM, funnel performance, and product usage

✅ Collaborate with product, brand, and central growth teams to align roadmaps with local market opportunities

✅ Contribute to Korea’s brand positioning and comms strategy in service of broader market growth

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong operator who can synthesize performance signals and drive cross-functional execution across marketing, product, and brand teams.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 7+ years in high-growth tech or consumer startups, with ownership of $10M+ annual marketing budgets across both web and app

Required Skills:

• Proven growth leadership with a track record of delivering business outcomes
• Full-stack growth expertise in performance marketing, funnel optimization, and experimentation
• Builder mentality, comfortable building systems, dashboards, and processes from scratch
• Strong operator with the ability to synthesize performance signals and drive cross-functional execution
• Team leader and coach with a track record of building, mentoring, and managing high-performing growth and marketing teams
• Deep understanding of Korean consumer behavior with the ability to adapt and apply global best practices
• Business fluency in English, capable of leading collaboration with global stakeholders and aligning local efforts to global goals

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in a global organization with multiple offices
• Fluency in Korean

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the Korean market and a strong understanding of local consumer behavior will have a significant advantage in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Head of Growth role in the Software Development sector, with 7-10 years of experience in South Korea, the estimated salary range is ₩150,000,000 - ₩250,000,000 per year. This range may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings plan with company match
• Generous vacation and holiday policy
• Flexible work arrangements
• Professional development opportunities

Working Hours: Full-time position with standard office hours, Monday through Friday. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required to meet deadlines or attend events.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Benefits may vary based on the company's benefits package and local laws.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Speak is a language learning app that uses AI to teach users English, Spanish, and French. The company is focused on democratizing access to high-quality language education through AI and has a global presence with offices in San Francisco, Ljubljana, Seoul, and Tokyo.

Company Size: Speak has 51-200 employees and is a privately held company. As a mid-sized company, Speak offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment with opportunities for growth and impact.

Founded: Speak was founded in 2016 by Connor Zwick and Andrew Hsu and is backed by prominent investors such as Y Combinator, Open AI, Founders Fund, Khosla Ventures, and Matrix Partners.

Company Description:

• Speak is a language learning app that sets users on the path to fluency with the world’s most advanced AI tutor
• The app encourages dynamic two-way dialogue through personalized content and real-time speech recognition
• Speak aims to teach the next billion people English and reinvent the way the world learns, starting with language

Company Specialties:

• AI-powered language learning
• Gamification of language education
• Global language education market

Company Website: https://www.speak.com/

ASSUMPTION: Speak's focus on AI-powered language learning and global expansion provides unique opportunities for growth and innovation in the language education market.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior leadership position, reporting directly to the global Head of Growth and working closely with the Korea Country Manager.

Reporting Structure: The Head of Growth - Korea will manage a multidisciplinary growth team and collaborate with product, brand, and central growth teams to align roadmaps with local market opportunities.

Work Arrangement: This is an on-site role based in Seoul, with the expectation of working in the office Monday through Friday. Occasional remote work may be considered for qualified candidates.

Growth Opportunities:

• As Speak continues to expand globally, there may be opportunities for the Head of Growth - Korea to take on additional responsibilities or move into a regional leadership role
• The company's focus on innovation and AI-driven language learning provides opportunities for professional development and growth in the field

ASSUMPTION: The Head of Growth - Korea will play a critical role in Speak's continued success in the Korean market and will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the company's global growth strategy.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Speak's Seoul office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and innovation.

Office Location(s): Speak's Seoul office is located in the heart of the city, providing easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.

Geographic Context:

• Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea, with a population of over 10 million people
• The city is a major hub for technology, finance, and culture in the region
• Seoul is home to numerous multinational corporations and startups, providing a dynamic and competitive business environment

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, with core hours from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required to meet deadlines or attend events.

ASSUMPTION: The Head of Growth - Korea will be expected to work in the office during standard business hours and may be required to work additional hours as needed to meet growth targets.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application review
• Phone or video screen with the global Head of Growth
• On-site interview with the Korea Country Manager and other relevant stakeholders
• Final interview with the global Head of Growth

Key Assessment Areas:

• Growth strategy and vision for the Korean market
• Experience in managing high-performing growth teams
• Understanding of Korean consumer behavior and market trends
• Ability to collaborate effectively with global stakeholders

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the Korean market and Speak's unique value proposition
• Prepare examples of your past growth initiatives and their outcomes to discuss during the interview

ATS Keywords: Growth leadership, performance marketing, funnel optimization, experimentation, team leadership, Korean consumer behavior, global best practices, business fluency in English

ASSUMPTION: Speak's interview process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, leadership skills, and cultural fit with the company's mission and values.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Performance marketing platforms (e.g., Google Ads, Facebook Ads, LinkedIn Ads)
• CRM and marketing automation tools (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo, Salesforce)
• Data visualization and analytics tools (e.g., Tableau, Google Analytics, Mixpanel)
• Project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Slack)

ASSUMPTION: The Head of Growth - Korea will be expected to have experience with relevant marketing and analytics tools and be comfortable learning new technologies as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Speak's mission is to reinvent the way people learn, starting with language
• The company values innovation, collaboration, and a customer-centric approach to language education
• Speak is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment

Work Style:

• Speak's work environment is dynamic, fast-paced, and collaborative
• The company values a growth mindset and encourages continuous learning and improvement
• Speak's team members are expected to be self-motivated, proactive, and results-driven

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you share Speak's passion for democratizing access to high-quality language education through AI?
• Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a high degree of autonomy?
• Do you thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented work environment and enjoy mentoring and developing others?

ASSUMPTION: Speak's company culture is focused on innovation, collaboration, and a customer-centric approach to language education. Candidates who align with these values and are passionate about Speak's mission will be a strong fit for the company.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The Korean market is highly competitive, with numerous established language learning apps and platforms
• Speak's AI-powered approach to language education is unique, but may face challenges in gaining market share against established competitors
• The role requires a strong understanding of Korean consumer behavior and market trends, which may present a learning curve for candidates without extensive experience in the region
• The Head of Growth - Korea will be expected to work closely with global stakeholders, which may present cultural and time zone challenges

ASSUMPTION: The Head of Growth - Korea will need to be proactive, strategic, and adaptable to overcome these challenges and drive sustainable growth in the Korean market.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike traditional language learning apps, Speak's AI-powered approach to language education provides a unique value proposition for users and presents opportunities for innovative growth strategies
• The Korean market for language learning apps is highly competitive, with numerous established and emerging players
• Speak's global presence and focus on AI-driven language learning provide opportunities for career growth and development within the company

ASSUMPTION: The Head of Growth - Korea will need to differentiate Speak's unique value proposition in the competitive Korean market and leverage the company's global resources to drive sustainable growth.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a go-to-market strategy for a new AI-powered language learning feature in the Korean market
• Conducting market research and user testing to inform product development and localization strategies for the Korean market
• Collaborating with the global product team to optimize user onboarding and engagement funnels for the Korean market

ASSUMPTION: The Head of Growth - Korea will be expected to work closely with the global product team to align local market opportunities with global product roadmaps and drive user acquisition and retention in the Korean market.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for the Head of Growth - Korea in the first 90 days?
• How does Speak differentiate its AI-powered language learning approach from traditional competitors in the Korean market?
• What resources and support will be available to the Head of Growth - Korea to drive sustainable growth in the Korean market?
• How does Speak's global growth strategy inform the local market approach in Korea?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within Speak?

ASSUMPTION: The interview process is an opportunity for candidates to assess the fit of the role and company with their personal and professional goals, as well as to understand the expectations and priorities for the Head of Growth - Korea.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the Ashby job posting
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare examples of your past growth initiatives and their outcomes to discuss during the interview
• Research Speak's unique value proposition and AI-powered approach to language education to demonstrate your understanding of the company and market
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.