Paid Media Director

We are seeking a Paid Media Director & Market Lead to spearhead our Paid Media and broader digital media capabilities in the Japanese market. This high-impact role will be the market lead and strategic visionary for Paid Media in Japan and is designed for a digitally native commercially minded leader with deep expertise in both global platforms (Google Ads and Meta required) and Japanese performance ecosystems including LINE and YAHOO!Japan.

As a Paid Media Director within our APAC team reporting to VP of Paid Media APAC you will oversee a growing team of Paid Media specialists drive innovation in digital strategy and foster a high-performance culture focused on excellence collaboration and digital transformation.

You will also play a strategic client-facing role - particularly for local and regional initiatives - while collaborating with cross-market teams of channel and platform specialists. You will often be a strategic investment lead: guiding media activation strategy unlocking value for clients and championing best-in-class media solutions that blend local nuance with global standards.

Your Primary Responsibilities Will Include:

1. People Management & Local Market Leadership

• Lead inspire and develop a team of 5-10 local and international Paid Media professionals with plans to grow.
• Cultivate a collaborative inclusive and high-achieving work environment.
• Facilitate a strong proactive collaborative culture between local and international/offshore team members.
• Provide hands-on coaching mentorship and career development support.
• Conduct performance reviews and develop individual growth plans.

2. Strategic Direction

• Define and execute the Paid Media strategy for Japan in alignment with APAC and global goals.
• Lead innovation across media planning activation and measurementbalancing local platform execution with global strategy alignment.
• Champion scalable operations campaign QA and delivery excellence across all media types.
• Embed best-in-class practices across Search Social Display/Video and Retail Media.

3. Client & Partner Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients and internal stakeholders.
• Foster and manage local relationships with key technology and platform partners such as Google Meta YAHOO!Japan Amazon etc.
• Collaborate seamlessly with other Jellyfish capabilities and global teams.
• Act as a strategic advisor identifying and addressing client needs proactively.

4. Commercial Accountability & Performance

• Take commercial ownership for the growth and sustainability of the Japan Paid Media function - including revenue planning staffing alignment and margin management.
• Support business development and client retention including new business pipeline support and strategic pitch involvement.
• Expand local adoption of Google Marketing Platform tools (SA360 DV360 Campaign Manager 360) - with a focus on enablement consultation and sophistication building.
• Deliver performance reporting and strategic insight to APAC leadership with a continuous improvement mindset.

Qualifications :

• 10 years of experience in Paid Media Advertising within an agency setting.
• Bilingual fluency across both Japanese and English is required.
• Experience working with Japanese clients and detailed understanding of the Japanese media ecosystem.
• Experience in leading and scaling digital marketing teams in dynamic agile environments.
• Demonstrated experience in matrix organisations with cross-market collaboration.
• Expertise across major digital marketing and advertising platforms and channels including Paid Search Paid Social Programmatic Display and Video and Retail Media.
• Expertise in Google Marketing Platform tools including:
  • Search Ads 360
  • Display & Video 360
  • Campaign Manager 360
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into executable plans.
• Strong interpersonal communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Exceptional organisational analytical and prioritisation abilities.

Note: We emphasise skills expertise and behavioural attributes over years of experience and traditional degrees. If you want to join our collaborative team we invite you to apply today with your resume in English.

Additional Information :

Join Jellyfish and experience a workplace where we prioritise your growth celebrate your contributions and empower you to tailor your work environment to suit your needs.

Reward: Youll be eligible to join our discretionary annual bonus scheme.

Custom Work Environment: Work remotely for up to 60% of your days and shape your day between 8am. and 6:30pm with flexible working hours.

Growth Your Way: Grow your career with one paid day each month for self-development and access to Jellyfish Learn with unlimited online courses.

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