Strategic Partnership Manager

Job Title:               Strategic Partnership Manager

Location:               Tokyo or Kuala Lumpur– Hybrid working model

**Responsible region can be discussed – can be either Japan or SEA**

About Springer Nature

Springer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit about.springernature.com and @SpringerNature. 

Key objectives

• Achieve financial targets for science-based projects in the Commercial Partnership team by maintaining existing business and developing new business.
• Work on acquisition of new clients.
• Develop a strong business development capability and maintain a robust pipeline of projects.
• Stakeholder management and key relationships – work closely with sales administration, product management, marketing, custom media and researcher services to ensure smooth delivery of product to clients.

Key tasks

• Work to achieve monthly sales goals and targets; report to the management teams showing figures, charts and description of progress and risk factors.
• Keep the CRM data accurate, relevant and up-to-date, and apply the tool to support daily workflow.
• Manage bidding and contract processing, and ensure all requirements are met to secure all potential contracts in expected timing.
• Work with and help the Custom Media, Nature Index and other relevant teams deliver projects to maintain high customer satisfaction level.
• Keep track of evolving market needs to capture opportunity to evolve existing products and create new solutions.
• Build strategy to develop business in Japan, following the success of Japan and other parts of the world.
• Maintain up to date knowledge with internal procedure and compliance issues.
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining productive long-term business relationships

Other

• Communicate with different departments including editorial, legal, web production and marketing to effectively correspond to sales-driven or client related matters.

Key relationships:

• Commercial Partnerships teams in APAC region
• Custom Media editorial team
• Project Management team
• Sales Administration team
• NRI team
• Web Production
• Other teams including Research Solutions counterparts in global offices

Qualifications:

University degree

Skills/knowledge:

• Ability to engage with and influence decision makers at all levels such as Marketing Manager/Director, Director of Communications, University Vice-Chancellor/VP, Heads of Institution, Director of Research.
• Has a clear understanding of our audiences, products, services and competitor landscape in order to position our solutions to clients effectively.
• Knowledge of key and potential clients, their interests and priorities, and ability to deliver and close complex, high value, multi-year, profitable and sustainable commercial proposals.
• Ability to identify and develop new business opportunities to drive revenue growth.
• Good knowledge of science communications trends, best practices and key figures in Japan.
• Basic understanding of researcher workflow in Japan.
• Excellent communication, team working and partnership building skills.
• Good negotiation and persuasion skills.
• Self-starter, can work under pressure and deliver results.
• Fluent verbal and written English and Japanese; proficiency in other Asian languages is a plus.
• Strong negotiation, tactful business approach, familiarity in solution business development in STM or IT industry is a plus.

Experience:

• Direct experience of selling ready made solutions to academic clients (communication, publishing, advertizing, event).
• Prior experience working in advertising sales, medical communications business and/or experience working in STM publishers or Science Communication related business is a plus.

This position is based in either our Tokyo office in Japan or our Kuala Lumpur office in Malaysia. Candidates must have the right to work in either Japan or Malaysia and be able to commute to the respective office.

At Springer Nature, we value the diversity of our teams and work to build an inclusive culture, where people are treated fairly and can bring their differences to work and thrive. We empower our colleagues and value their diverse perspectives as we strive to attract, nurture and develop the very best talent. Springer Nature was awarded Diversity Team of the Year at the 2022 British Diversity Awards. Find out more about our DEI work here https://group.springernature.com/gp/group/taking-responsibility/diversity-equity-inclusion

If you have any access needs related to disability, neurodivergence or a chronic condition, please contact us so we can make all necessary accommodation.

For more information about career opportunities in Springer Nature please visit https://springernature.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/SpringerNatureCareers/

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