Account Manager Japan (Tokyo based)

Company Description

Informa is a leading academic publishing, business intelligence, knowledge and events business, creating unique content and connectivity for customers all over the world. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100.

Taylor & Francis Group operates globally and produces high quality, peer reviewed books and journals. We produce unique, trusted content by expert authors, spreading knowledge and promoting discovery globally. We aim to broaden thinking and advance understanding, providing academics and professionals with a platform to share ideas and realize their individual potential.

Our purpose is to foster human progress through knowledge.  We strongly believe that this requires us to encourage and examine different ideas and voices, so that any work that meets our exacting levels of quality deserves to be included in our publications. This requires open minds, the opportunity for robust debate, and the courage to defend perspectives that stand up to scrutiny, even if they conflict with our personal beliefs or values. Because that’s the only way to find the best obtainable version of the truth and, ultimately, foster human progress. If you agree, then we’d love to hear from you.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Account Manager with an entrepreneurial mindset to manage new and existing customers in the academic publishing market, identify opportunities in the Japanese market, and expand strategic partnerships to maximize revenue. This is a great opportunity for a successful sales professional looking for a new challenge in a role that combines effective account management and new business development in Japan.

You will be a strong verbal communicator with ethical standards and collaborate with appropriate departments ensuring a well-coordinated team selling approach. Ideally, you will have had open access, journals and eBook understanding as well as selling experience in academic library markets. This position will be responsible for understanding our content portfolio and using that knowledge to develop growth strategies in Japanese market.

Closing Date: Applications will close on 1 October 2026

Applications are shortlisted on a rolling basis, and we will be interviewing alongside advertising. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity.

What you’ll be doing:

• Designing, implementing and owning sales strategy for Journals, eBooks and Open Access products within your territory
• Achieving and exceeding annual territory sales targets, contributing to the overall revenue and profit objectives of the business division
• Planning schedules and carrying out regular sales visits to customers to achieve financial targets within own sales region across product portfolio. Travel for this role is expected.
• Drive sales velocity by ensuring deals are closed within defined timeframes
• Achieving a profitable balance between driving and maximizing core revenues whilst exploring new avenues and products
• Cultivating strong, holistic relationships with the customer base, working to ensure that trading with each account is sustainable, profitable and delivering a high level of customer satisfaction
• Developing strong professional and industry stakeholder networks including institutions, distributors, funders, and government bodies, within the assigned territory
• Preparing for, attending and contributing to sales meetings and events to build strategic awareness and to gather relevant market intelligence
• Collecting and disseminating market, competitor, and customer feedback
• Liaising actively with stakeholder departments or groups within the business to enhance T&F's coverage of the territory – Sales Support, Marketing, Editorial, etc.

Qualifications

What we’re looking for:

• This role will be based in Tokyo, Japan
• At least 3-5 years of demonstrated successful account management
• Strong understanding of the academic publishing industry and academic content business models
• Previous success in a sales role, with a track record of managing high-pressure sales environments and meeting or exceeding ambitious revenue targets
• Demonstrated business acumen by understanding business implications of decisions; displaying orientation to profitability; demonstrates knowledge of market and competition
• The ability to analyze and synthesize complex or diverse information; proven experience collecting and researching data
• Proficiency in English and native level Japanese skill are required

Key Competencies 

• Strong consultative sales skills and the ability to deliver tailored solutions that meet customer needs
• A professional manner; the ability to approach others in a tactful manner while reacting well under pressure
• A proactive, solutions-oriented approach with a focus on driving progress and achieving results
• Resilience and adaptability in managing change with a positive mindset in response to business transformation
• Strong analytical capabilities with experience using data to drive sales performance improvements

Additional Information

What we offer in return:

• An excellent work/life balance with a fantastic, flexible working culture
• 20 days(pro-rata for first year) annual leave per year, plus an extra day off for your birthday
• 4 paid volunteering days each year
• Paid sick leave of 6 days
• Under the local company’s healthcare and social insurance plan, commutation and housing allowance, Benefit One membership
• Employee assistance programme – offering 24/7 well-being support
• Performance bonus
• Annual health screening for employee and spouse, optical and medical care

Location:

• This role is based in Tokyo, and you must have the right to work and live in Japan
• We believe that great things happen when people connect face-to-face. That's why we work in-person with each other, or with customers and partners, three days a week or more. When you’re not spending time together in one of our offices or other workplaces – like at conference – you get the flexibility and support to work from home or remotely.
• The successful candidate will be able to utilise our balanced working model. We ask that candidates live within a commutable distance to our Tokyo office to ensure that as a balanced worker they can make it to our office location 3 days per week. 
• Relocation support is not provided for this role.

We want all our candidates to shine in our recruitment process. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to ensure you are able to show us your best self. This could include having the application form in a different format, more time for questions, or anything else – please ask us, we are happy to be flexible! Please contact recruitment@tandf.co.uk

Being Yourself at Taylor & Francis 

If you’re excited about working with Taylor & Francis to foster human progress through knowledge, we invite you to apply even if your existing skills and experience don’t fit every item listed above. At Taylor & Francis, we are at our best and most successful when colleagues can be themselves and contribute regardless of their identity or background. As a colleague, you will have the opportunity to further innovate and develop in areas that you are passionate about. Our goal is to empower you with the resources, incentives, and flexibility you need to enjoy success at work and to live a healthy, balanced life. 

Taylor & Francis is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in and value diversity of people and thought, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where all colleagues can learn and succeed as their true selves. Taylor & Francis recruits, develops, and retains colleagues without regard to any protected personal characteristics or other non-merit-based factor. 

If you have a disability, or face another barrier,  and would like to request an adjustment to assist your participation in the hiring process and/or in the advertised position, please contact recruitment@tandf.co.uk. Your request will be reviewed and considered in the strictest confidence.

We genuinely care about our colleagues, promoting work-life balance, wellbeing, and flexible working. We believe that the skills and experience you bring to Taylor & Francis are invaluable. We want you to have the opportunity to develop your abilities, and to innovate and develop in areas which you are passionate about. To find out more about our business and the great career opportunities please go to our Careers Site: http://www.taylorandfrancisgroup.com/careers

Or better yet check out our LinkedIn ‘Life’ Page, highlighting our accomplishments, employees, and company culture. It’s also a good way of meeting our recruitment team, who will be happy to advise you on your journey here at T&F.