Strategic Partnerships Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Strategic Partnerships Manager

🔹 Company: Springer Nature

🔹 Location: Tokyo, Japan

🔹 Job Type: Full-time (Hybrid)

🔹 Category: Business Development

🔹 Date Posted: April 10, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years)

🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Achieving financial targets for science-based projects through maintaining existing business and developing new business.
• Acquiring new clients and building a strong business development capability.
• Stakeholder management and key relationships with various teams to ensure smooth delivery of products to clients.
• Keeping up-to-date with market needs and evolving trends to capture opportunities and create new solutions.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of sales, business development, and project management skills. The ideal candidate will have experience in selling solutions to academic clients and be comfortable working in a dynamic, collaborative environment.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Achieve monthly sales goals and targets, reporting progress and risk factors to management teams.

✅ Maintain accurate and relevant CRM data, using the tool to support daily workflow.

✅ Manage bidding and contract processing, ensuring all requirements are met to secure potential contracts in a timely manner.

✅ Work with Custom Media, Nature Index, and other relevant teams to deliver projects and maintain high customer satisfaction levels.

✅ Keep track of evolving market needs to capture opportunities to evolve existing products and create new solutions.

✅ Build strategy to develop business in Japan, following the success of similar initiatives in other parts of the world.

✅ Maintain up-to-date knowledge of internal procedures and compliance issues.

✅ Establish and maintain productive long-term business relationships.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires the ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: University degree

Experience: Direct experience selling ready-made solutions to academic clients (communication, publishing, advertising, event). Prior experience working in advertising sales, medical communications business, or STM publishers is a plus.

Required Skills:

• Ability to engage with and influence decision-makers at all levels.
• Clear understanding of audiences, products, services, and competitor landscape to position solutions effectively.
• Knowledge of key and potential clients, their interests, and priorities, and ability to deliver and close complex, high-value, multi-year, profitable, and sustainable commercial proposals.
• Excellent communication, team working, and partnership-building skills.
• Good negotiation and persuasion skills.
• Self-starter, able to work under pressure and deliver results.
• Fluent verbal and written English and Japanese; proficiency in other Asian languages is a plus.
• Strong negotiation and tactful business approach, familiarity with solution business development in STM or IT industry is a plus.

Preferred Skills:

• Basic understanding of researcher workflow in Japan.
• Knowledge of science communications trends, best practices, and key figures in Japan.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong sales and business development background, with a proven track record of achieving financial targets and building successful client relationships.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: ¥7,000,000 - ¥10,000,000 per year (Based on industry standards for mid-level business development roles in Tokyo)

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package
• Opportunities for professional development and growth
• Dynamic and inclusive work environment

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexible hours and remote work options available

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for mid-level business development roles in Tokyo. Actual compensation may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Springer Nature is a global publishing company that focuses on research and learning, opening doors to discovery for researchers, educators, clinicians, and other professionals.

Company Size: Springer Nature has approximately 10,000 employees worldwide, providing a large and diverse work environment.

Founded: Springer Nature was founded in 1842 and has since grown to become one of the world's largest academic book publishers and a leading global research publisher.

Company Description:

• Springer Nature is committed to opening doors to discovery for researchers, educators, clinicians, and other professionals.
• The company offers a wide range of products and services, including journals, books, platforms, and technology solutions.
• Springer Nature is home to some of the best-known names in research, health, educational, and professional publishing.

Company Specialties:

• Publishing
• Science
• Technology
• Medicine
• Business
• Education
• and Research

Company Website: https://group.springernature.com/

ASSUMPTION: Springer Nature's large size and global presence provide ample opportunities for career growth and development.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level (2-5 years of experience)

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Commercial Partnerships team in the APAC region.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid working model, with a combination of on-site and remote work.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to senior or management roles within the Commercial Partnerships team.
• Expansion into other areas of the business, such as custom media, researcher services, or sales.
• International assignments or relocation opportunities.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential, both within the Commercial Partnerships team and across the broader organization.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space in Tokyo's Minato-ku district.

Office Location(s): Tokyo, Japan

Geographic Context:

• Tokyo is a major global city with a vibrant business environment and a rich cultural heritage.
• The Minato-ku district is a bustling commercial hub, home to many multinational corporations and local businesses.
• Springer Nature's office is easily accessible by public transportation.

Work Schedule: Standard Japanese business hours, with some flexibility for remote work.

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a good balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
• Final interview with the Commercial Partnerships team lead

Key Assessment Areas:

• Sales and business development skills
• Communication and negotiation abilities
• Cultural fit and alignment with company values
• Problem-solving and strategic thinking

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant sales and business development experience in your resume.
• Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and your fit with Springer Nature's mission and values.
• Prepare examples of successful client acquisitions or business development projects.

ATS Keywords: Business Development, Sales, Client Acquisition, Stakeholder Management, Project Management, CRM, Commercial Partnerships, Science Communications, Academic Clients, Solution Selling

ASSUMPTION: Springer Nature's application process is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills and qualifications throughout the interview process.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with CRM software and project management tools is essential for success in this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Quality and Excellence
• Integrity and Respect
• Courage and Creativity
• Collaboration and Partnership
• Accountability and Responsibility

Work Style:

• Dynamic and collaborative
• Focused on results and continuous improvement
• Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody Springer Nature's values in your daily work?
• Describe a time when you had to collaborate with a diverse team to achieve a common goal.
• How do you approach continuous learning and professional development?

ASSUMPTION: Springer Nature values a diverse and inclusive work environment, and candidates should be prepared to discuss their fit with the company's values and culture.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Working with diverse stakeholders and teams across different time zones
• Adapting to a dynamic and evolving business environment
• Balancing sales targets with client satisfaction and long-term business relationships

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a customer-focused mindset.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other business development roles, this position places a greater emphasis on stakeholder management and project delivery.
• Springer Nature's focus on academic and research publishing sets it apart from other publishing companies.
• This role offers opportunities for career progression within the Commercial Partnerships team and across the broader organization.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should research similar roles within the publishing industry to better understand the unique aspects of this position.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic plan to acquire new clients in the Japanese market
• Managing a complex, multi-year project with a key client, ensuring smooth delivery and high satisfaction levels
• Identifying and capitalizing on emerging trends in science communications to create new business opportunities

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of responsibilities and challenges faced by the Strategic Partnerships Manager.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Commercial Partnerships team?
• How does Springer Nature support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does Springer Nature approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring and workplace practices?
• What are the most rewarding aspects of working in this role, according to current team members?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and engagement with the company.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the following link: https://springernature.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/SpringerNatureCareers/job/Tokyo/Strategic-Partnerships-Manager_JR102541
• Tailor your resume to highlight relevant sales and business development experience, as well as any experience working with academic clients.
• Write a compelling cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and your fit with Springer Nature's mission and values.
• Prepare examples of successful client acquisitions or business development projects to discuss during the interview process.
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role.

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