Director Business Engagement

Head of Business Engagement, Japan

The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the international organization for public-private cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, and societal leaders to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.

In Japan, the Forum brings together senior leaders from government, business, civil society, and academia to advance its global initiatives, communities, and impact-driven activities.

As a member of the World Economic Forum’s Tokyo office, the Head of Business Engagement, Japan will lead our engagement with the country’s foremost companies and drive the Forum’s business strategy across this critical geography.

This leadership role is responsible for both new partner development and existing partner retention, managing a high-performing team and ensuring delivery of key performance objectives. Success in this role requires a deep understanding of Japan’s industrial and macro-economic landscape, as well as the ability to stay ahead of transformative global trends such as artificial intelligence, the energy transition, and shifting trade dynamics - and to interpret their implications for business in Japan.

The Head of Business Engagement will work across the Forum’s internal ecosystem to deliver a compelling multi-stakeholder value proposition for partners. The role reports to the Chief Representative Officer of the World Economic Forum in Japan, with a matrix reporting line to the Head of Global Partner Development and Regional Business Strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Forum’s business strategy for Japan, designing and executing a growth plan aligned with Forum priorities.
• Manage the Japan business team and resources, ensuring delivery against KPIs, including partner acquisition and renewal.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with CEOs and senior executives from Japan, helping them capture value from the Forum’s platforms and communities.
• Drive business development across industries, visiting prospects and converting high-quality leads into Forum partners.
• Ensure retention of existing partners, coordinating with Partner Services and sector-focused teams to maximize engagement outcomes.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Heads of Industry and Heads of Centres to ensure that most relevant and senior colleagues are leveraged and deployed for both partner development and retention.
• Shape a compelling narrative on the region’s future, in collaboration with internal stakeholders including the Centre for Regions, Trade and Geopolitics.
• Oversee strategic planning and portfolio performance monitoring, ensuring business discipline and effective internal coordination.

Qualifications & Skills

• Advanced degree and 15+ years’ experience in business or strategic engagement roles focused on Japan.
• Demonstrated success in building trust-based relationships with senior executives (CEO and Chair level) and translating strategic business priorities into customized engagement plans.
• Strong track record in business development, with a consultative approach and ability to convert high-potential opportunities.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience, with a collaborative, results-driven style.
• Native Japanese speaker with excellent communication skills in English; proficiency in another language is a plus.
• Strong strategic, operational and financial acumen, including budget oversight and performance management.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, international environment; willing and able to travel up to 40% of the time.

Why join us?

Join an independent and impartial organization with over 55 years of connecting leaders to make sense of global challenges and move the world forward together.