Title Head of Business Services, Japan
Department Business Services
Location Tokyo
Reports To Global CAO, Distribution
We’re proud to have been helping our clients build better financial futures for over 50 years. How have we achieved this? By working together - and supporting each other - all over the world. So, join our team and feel like you’re part of something bigger.
About your team
Business Services plays a critical role in driving Fidelity’s growth by supporting the execution of distribution strategy at local, regional, and global levels. Aligned closely with Distribution, the team focuses on delivering initiatives that enhance business performance and operational effectiveness. Although based in Japan, the team has a broad remit, leading and contributing to regional and global initiatives that have a direct and meaningful impact on the region.
Working in close partnership with Sales, Marketing, and other business channels, the team provides independent assessments of strategic business concepts, ensuring alignment and feasibility, and overseeing the prioritisation and delivery of change initiatives within agreed objectives, budgets, and resources. The team advises on governance, manages complex workstreams, and represents Sales and Marketing in cross-functional strategic programmes. Typical initiatives include business growth and proposition enhancements across wholesale, and institutional channels, as well as scale, efficiency, regulatory, and compliance-driven enhancements.
About your role
This role leads a Japan‑based team and works closely with Business Services counterparts across APAC ex‑Japan and Europe to deliver initiatives supporting investment solutions and distribution services. In partnership with regional senior leadership, the role sets priorities, drives execution of high‑impact initiatives, and contributes to shaping the future distribution operating model while managing a high‑performing, collaborative team.
While primarily accountable for delivery in Japan, the role also leads selected regional or global initiatives, many of which span multiple functions and geographies. Success requires strong stakeholder management to align priorities and deliver outcomes aligned with senior management expectations. The role oversees execution of the Japan Distribution strategy, manages projects aligned to strategic priorities, and reports to the Global CAO, Distribution, as part of the broader CAO organisation encompassing Business Services, RFP, Client Reporting, Client Services, Global Mandate Services, and Distribution Insights.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and develop a high‑performing Business Services team based in Japan, fostering a collaborative and results‑driven culture.
Enable effective execution of the Japan business strategy through close partnership with regional senior leadership and key stakeholders.
Oversee the end‑to‑end management, implementation, and reporting of strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with business objectives and governance standards.
Deliver a broad remit encompassing project and programme management, analytical assessment, cross‑functional coordination, strategic planning, and resource prioritisation.
Drive change management initiatives, leading independently where appropriate and collaborating across teams to embed sustainable outcomes.
Oversee the development of robust analytics and actionable insights to support distribution growth, client retention, and informed decision‑making.
Undertake occasional travel as required to support regional and global initiatives.
About you
As a leader in Fidelity you will be expected to find ways to delight our clients, be able to think and work across the organisation, enable candid debate within the team, balance risk with pace, coach team members, make decisions and enable others to make decisions and be accountable for delivering outcomes.
Proven people leader with experience managing teams and acting as a role model at a senior level.
Background in asset management, ideally with experience in client‑facing or distribution‑related roles.
Experience leading or overseeing projects and change initiatives, with the ability to translate business needs into practical outcomes.
Highly analytical, able to structure complex problems and develop clear, actionable solutions.
Comfortable working independently, managing multiple priorities, and delivering results under tight timelines.
Strong stakeholder management, communication, and collaboration skills across functions and geographies.
Proactive, results‑oriented mindset with an interest in applying innovation and AI to improve business outcomes.
Proficient in Microsoft Office tools and fluent in both Japanese and English; additional languages are an advantage.
Feel rewarded
For starters, we’ll offer you a comprehensive benefits package. We’ll value your wellbeing and support your development. And we’ll be as flexible as we can about where and when you work – finding a balance that works for all of us. It’s all part of our commitment to making you feel motivated by the work you do and happy to be part of our team. For more about our work, our approach to dynamic working and how you could build your future here, visit careers.fidelityinternational.com.
For more about our work, our approach to dynamic working and how you could build your future here, visit careers.fidelityinternational.com.