Sales Director, Japan

About the role

Axis is looking for a Sales Director for Japan, based in Tokyo, to own the end-to-end sales planning lifecycle and lead the domestic sales force. The role reports to the Regional Director and directly manages three Sales Managers (KAM, Account Management and Inside Sales). It acts as the strategic bridge between the Japanese market and global leadership, and involves extensive domestic and international travel.

Key responsibilities

• Bridge global and local strategy: give the Regional Director and global/APAC leadership data-driven insights on market trends, competitors and partners, and localize global directives for Japan.
• Drive business planning, set annual and quarterly sales objectives, and align the three sales pillars (Executive/Enterprise KAM, Territory/Portfolio AM, Digital-First Inside Sales).
• Evaluate trade shows and marketing activities and ensure follow-up for ROI.
• Oversee the national project pipeline, lead queues, and drive accurate long-range forecasting.
• Govern complex pricing structures and approve major deals.
• Manage, coach and evaluate the three Sales Managers, run annual reviews, champion Axis's Core Values and Sales Methodology, and foster an agile, collaborative team.

Required profile

• 15+ years of professional sales experience in the IT, network or security/CCTV industry, with 7-10+ years in senior sales leadership.
• Proven success managing managers and senior sales professionals, in a matrixed global environment, reporting to foreign senior executives.
• Deep understanding of the Japanese market and corporate etiquette; native-level Japanese (JLPT N1) and TOEIC L&R 800+ or equivalent.

Required skills

• CRM/Salesforce analytics.
• Strong negotiation, presentation and executive presence.
• Data-driven leadership: improving sales velocity, optimizing pipelines and delivering market intelligence.

What we offer

• Permanent employment with career development toward GM or Country Director roles, and pathways to APAC and global executive positions.
• Hybrid model of 3 days in the office and 2 days from home, with strong work-life balance and minimal overtime.
• Mental health and employee assistance program support.
• Work for a global market leader in network video technology with Canon Group backing, in a certified Great Place to Work company.