Major League Baseball (MLB) is seeking a Managing Director (MD) to lead the league’s growth strategy and business operations in Japan. This position is part of the MLB International department, which is responsible for growing MLB’s fandom and revenue in key global markets outside of the United States.This position is based in our Tokyo office.

Japan is one of MLB’s top global markets and this MD position sits at the center of the league’s efforts to create more fans, deepen fan engagement, and drive revenue by commercializing current and new assets. We are looking for a leader who combines proven commercial acumen, a strategic mindset when it comes to new customer/fan acquisition, and a knack for new product development in ways relevant to the sports industry. The ideal candidate should have significant experience working in or with major sports properties in Japan, along with expertise in at least one of the following areas: media rights and distribution, sponsorship sales, consumer products, strategy consulting or strategic marketing.

We are looking for a high level of experience in team management and cross-functional collaboration. Success in role requires the ability to lead and inspire local staff in the MLB Japan office, influence HQ support for growth initiatives in Japan, and build enduring and collaborative relationships with colleagues in the commercial functions.

Responsibilities

• Define a multi-year growth strategy for MLB Japan and develop the annual operating plan and budget each year
• Manage a direct team responsible for operating MLB’s youth baseball programs in Japan (MLB CUP and PlayBall) and major events (elements of this year’s Tokyo Series and the World Baseball Classic next year)
• Partner with Marketing, Media, Sponsorship, and Consumer Products to achieve shared fan engagement and revenue goals
• Media
  • Support the execution of current media rights holder agreements to ensure partners are meeting their obligations locally
  • Provide on-the-ground presence to build relationships for the next media rights cycle
• Sponsorship
  • Identify new Japan/Asia brands that align with MLB’s global sponsorship pillars
  • Co-create sponsorship opportunities, culturally relevant activation campaigns, and upsell/extension opportunities
  • Leverage your own local market insights and network to unlock new revenues
• Maintain close relationships with industry partners such as NPB and former/current Japanese players
• Act as the MLB “country head” for PR, industry, and community opportunities in Japan
• Effectively communicate the status and outcomes of initiatives to a broad range of senior executives at league HQ
• Manage day-to-day office administration including budget and vendor management
• Proactively troubleshoot operational roadblocks and propose solutions to issues in the Japan office

Qualifications & Skills

• 10+ years of experience in sports in roles in at least one of the following areas: league/team strategy, strategy consulting, marketing, media, sponsorship sales, or consumer products
• Experience in Japan is a must; experience working in additional markets, especially in East Asia, is a plus
• Deep knowledge of the sports ecosystem in Japan and existing relationship with key organizations in the industry
• Superior strategy development, analytical, communication (written and verbal), and presentation skills
• Ability to story-tell with data and quantifiable evidence to justify proposals and influence decisions
• Ability to build long-term relationships with senior stakeholders inside the organization and with external clients
• Experience in and natural instinct to develop and mentor junior team members
• Ability to run a team/office independently in a non-HQ office setting
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace products
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree such as an MBA is a plus
• Fluency in both Japanese and English

Top MLB Perks & Benefits

• Year-end bonus dependent on employee performance and company business performance
• Company contributions to social insurance and retirement benefits (for employees who meet tenure requirements)
• Reimbursement of daily commuting expenses
• Paid holidays including all national holidays in Japan and 10-20 working holidays per calendar year depending on employee tenure