Assistant Director of Sales
CIC is looking for an ambitious person with experience building meaningful client relationships to support clients and drive new sales at our location in CIC Tokyo. This is a great opportunity for someone who has extensive experience of sales and a great management opportunity for someone who has an interest in developing sales teams.
NEW ABOUT CIC CIC builds and connects thriving innovation communities around the world. Founded in 1999 in Cambridge, MA, we were one of the first companies to offer flexible office space and co-working options, providing a platform for the world’s most impactful entrepreneurs to innovate better and faster. Today, we manage a global network of innovation-focused workspace, laboratories, and event space across North America, Europe, and Asia, and continue to expand globally.
ABOUT CIC TOKYO
CIC Tokyo is our first site located in Asia. Opened in October 2020 in one of the business districts of Minato-ku, CIC Tokyo is a one-of-a-kind innovation-oriented center in Japan with a total area of about 6,000 square meters on the 15th and 16th floors of the Toranomon Hills Business Tower. We provide a vast workspace with the capacity to house more than 250 companies. CIC Tokyo is centered on companies that aim to grow, and communities and services that are looking to accelerate their business growth and global expansion. Because of its influence in startup and innovation scenery, CIC Tokyo has frequent visits of VIPs such as Prime Minister Kishida, Governor Koike, and other business leaders in Japan. It is now recognized as a prestigious center of new businesses and startups by business leaders throughout the country.
Learn more about us here.
YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK
As the Assistant Director of Sales, you will manage a client portfolio of approximately ~100 companies and provide senior-level oversight to assist our clients in getting the most out of their experience at CIC. You will serve as the most senior sales-specific role at CIC Tokyo, reporting to the General Manager, and work with prospective clients to determine if CIC is the right place for them to start their business. You will directly manage a team of 2-3sales team members (Relationship Managers and Sales Support), and provide strategic guidance for sales efforts and focus on strengthening the sales pipeline.
Your responsibilities will include:
• Managing and developing the RM team of at least 2+ people , including general team management, sales and client management and training.
• Representing CIC at onsite and offsite events, tours and speaking opportunities, cross-site initiatives and training, often in place of the GM and/or other senior members of CIC..
• Driving the creation and implementation of new programs and initiatives around new sales, client support, and overall business development, both independently and in support of the GM and/or other senior members of CIC..
• Representing RM needs (and therefore the voice of the clients) to other CIC departments. Specifically, you’ll be working with the Operations team to ensure a healthy relationship between both departments and the overall function of the team.
• Working closely with the Community Leader to ensure RM and Operations teams are as strong as possible by incorporating input from external departments.
• Collaborating with the Events and CIC Catalyst team to connect clients, assisting in voicing the CIC mission to external partners, and strengthening the sales pipeline.
• Prioritizing needs and assigning projects amongst RM team members.
• Overseeing client issues that surpass the authority of the RMs or Operations team.
• Collaborating with the Venture Cafe team to ensure cohesion and community engagement (both the CIC community and Venture Cafe community).
• Managing high-level partnerships, both internally (primary academic partnership, building owners and management, unique client exchanges) and external, city-wide partnerships, often independently and other times alongside the General Manager.
• Owning responsibility for the sales system management and revenue/goal tracking for CIC Tokyo.
ABOUT YOU
You are a skilled professional, ideal for representing CIC to prospective companies and providing high-level support to existing clients, while effectively managing team members. With strong written and verbal communication, organizational abilities, and expertise in time and team management, you are articulate, ethical, and dedicated to mission-based work, viewing your role as a key contribution to larger goals.
In this role, your leadership will be balanced with a strong emphasis on sales skills. You possess the ability to drive sales initiatives, excel at building and maintaining positive client relationships, and have a proven track record in business development, especially in the real estate or shared office sectors. Your approach combines strategic decision-making with a hands-on approach to sales, guiding your team through dynamic environments. You are known for your ability to inspire trust, convert prospects into clients, and lead with a blend of sales expertise and approachable leadership, ensuring both team success and client satisfaction.
YOU HAVE
• At least 15+ years of professional experience, with 7+ years sales or relationship management.
• Industry experience in B2B real estate business
• People Management/Team management experience
• Either a bachelor's degree or an equivalent level of experience is required at a minimum.
• Native fluency in Japanese and strong English proficiency.
• Ability to legally work in Japan. CIC is unable to sponsor visas for this role at this time.
OUR OFFER
• Competitive salary, adjusted to match your experience.
• Permanent contract.
• Commuting / transportation allowance.
• Massage session once a month.
• Allocated budget for training (customized to specific requirements of the role and organization's objectives).
Please submit your application in English. Thank you!
CIC welcomes all candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status or disability. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.