Country Manager, Japan

Status: Full-time, Employee

Job Function: Country & Market Leadership

Relevant Work Experience: 10+ years

Career Level: Experienced, Director

Office Location: Tokyo, Japan

Workplace Type: Hybrid / Remote (Japan-based)

Reports to: Senior Director, APAC & China

The Role

The Country Manager, Japan is responsible for establishing, leading, and expanding the Bluetooth SIG’s presence in Japan. This role serves as Bluetooth SIG’s primary representative and spokesperson in the Japanese market, overseeing and executing market development, member engagement, government and ecosystem relationships in close alignment with Bluetooth SIG, APAC and global strategies.

This position plays a critical role in shaping the long-term impact and growth of Bluetooth technology in one of the world’s most influential technology markets. The successful candidate thrives in a highly autonomous, fast-paced environment, demonstrates strong strategic judgment, and is equally comfortable in setting direction along with hands-on execution.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Define and execute the Japan market strategy, building Bluetooth presence, credibility, and influence across priority industries in alignment with overall Bluetooth SIG, APAC and global objectives.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key member companies, including technology vendors, OEMs, platform providers, and ecosystem partners
• Monitor local market trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging opportunities relevant to Bluetooth technologies and provide insights to global teams
• Lead all local promotional and member engagement activities, ensuring adoption, education, and timely communication while providing actionable market and member insights to inform APAC and global strategy.
• Support global regulatory efforts through policy, regulatory, and standards engagement in Japan, building and maintaining strong relationships with government agencies,
• regulators, and industry bodies to provide local insights, inform regulatory strategy, and support effective local execution.
• Be the official Bluetooth SIG spokesperson in Japan.
• Represent Bluetooth SIG at conferences, industry events, media briefings, and stakeholder meetings
• Communicate Bluetooth technology positioning, roadmaps, and value propositions clearly and credibly to technical and non-technical audiences
• Collaborate closely with APAC and global teams across marketing, membership, finance and policy functions
• Establish clear goals, priorities, and success metrics for Japan market activities
• Operate Japan office with full ownership and accountability.
• Skills and Requirements
• 10+ years of experience in technology-related industries (e.g., wireless, semiconductor, consumer electronics, or adjacent fields).
• Strong understanding of wireless technologies, standards ecosystems, and platform-based business models. Experience with Bluetooth technology is desirable.
• Proven experience engaging senior-level stakeholders, including executives, government officials, regulators, and industry leaders involved in the technology sector.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently, manage ambiguity, and build operations or programs from the ground up.
• Experience working within global, matrixed organizations and leading cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate global strategy into effective local execution. · Communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, and build strong relationships across organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results with high ownership.
• Experience engaging with standards bodies, industry alliances, technology consortiums, and Japanese government agencies or regulatory organizations.
• Background in ecosystem development, strategic partnerships, policy, or regulatory affairs
• Prior experience serving as a country lead, general manager, or senior regional representative in Japan is preferred.
•  Native-level Japanese (spoken and written)
• Business-fluent English (spoken and written)

Who We Are

At the Bluetooth Special Interest Group ('the SIG'), we envision a world where everything and everyone that wants to connect should be able to do so in a simple, secure, and wireless way. We advance the awareness and understanding of Bluetooth technology worldwide, oversee the development of new generations of Bluetooth technology, and provide the processes and tools for developers to build, test, qualify, and brand their Bluetooth products.

Our collaborative, fast-paced company culture and critical role in creating a more connected world with Bluetooth products will put you at the forefront of technology innovation.

At the SIG, collaboration, commitment, integrity, respect, humility, and creativity are at the core of who we are and are displayed on a daily basis. We use our values to cultivate relationships with our members, business partners, and our organization. When joining the Bluetooth SIG, you share and display these values at the highest level.

Not only do we care about getting work done and how we work together, we care about YOU – by providing learning and development opportunities, social events, a safety program, a wellbeing program, free snacks and drinks,