Job Title: Local Placement Manager – Osaka & Tokyo
Location: Japan (Osaka / Tokyo)
Duration: Full-time
Application Deadline: September 14th
Start Date: October 5th
This is a deliberately balanced, cross-functional role for someone who can combine genuine business development drive with the operational range to run international programs. You will co-own placement delivery across Osaka (KIX) and Tokyo, and you will own the delivery of custom experiential programs across Asia.
The two sides of the role are designed to fit together. Your placement scope is deliberately balanced so you have genuine capacity to run the custom experiential programs side properly. This is not a role where one responsibility is squeezed in around the other the balance is built in by design, so you can excel at both.
At its core, this role is about business development and placement quality: securing high-quality internship matches by building and sustaining a strong local employer ecosystem. During sourcing season you drive the front-end sales pipeline; as placements fill you shift into relationship manager, ensuring outstanding, sustainable outcomes. During peak cycles you also direct the daily work of a local Internship Placement Coordinator, while retaining decision-making power over employer partnerships.
If you are a genuine go-getter with strong BD instincts who also thrives on operational ownership and international program delivery, this role is for you.
We are a turning point. In just a decade, Absolute Internship has grown into a household name in international education, leading the industry across global hubs from London and Madrid to Tokyo and Singapore. We partner with world-class companies and universities to empower students to step out of their comfort zones and discover the world, and themselves, through life-changing experiences.
But we are more than just a program provider. We are a lifelong community of belonging and a mission-driven team. While we offer immersive programs abroad that help students build professional networks and connect with industry leaders, our impact goes further. We will launch and grow our foundation to provide easier access to education for 500 children around the world by 2031.
Business Development
Build and scale the employer network across Osaka and Tokyo. Run active outbound BD campaigns to acquire new host companies, expand corporate partnerships, and consistently hit your city-level placement targets.
Drive sustained outbound activity. Own lead generation and outreach across diverse industry sectors to build a high-performing local employer ecosystem.
Spot strategic opportunities. Read local market trends, corporate demand signals, and nationality-specific business communities, sharing insights with Regional Placement Leadership.
Develop low-season collaborations. Re-engage previous partners to secure forward placement commitments, and source Remote Project Studio projects with new companies during low-season cycles.
Nurture and retain corporate partners. Use off-peak cycles to strengthen long-term retention and expand placement capacity.
Maintain CRM and data integrity. Keep exemplary HubSpot standards, pipeline health, conversion, forecasting accuracy, and corporate account tagging.
Student Placement & Relationship Management
Execute high-quality matching. Manage end-to-end matching, pairing international students with host companies to maximise placement quality, student readiness, and conversion.
Prepare and coach students. Support interview preparation, mock interviews, and placement readiness.
Direct seasonal support. Direct, mentor, and prioritise the daily work of a local Internship Placement Coordinator during peak cycles.
Custom Experiential Programs — Asia
Own the custom experiential program lifecycle across Asia. Meet with university partners, design itineraries, and manage logistics including accommodation, transportation, classrooms, and site visits.
Manage student admin and pre-departure. Collect health and dietary data, deliver pre-departure webinars, distribute final itineraries, and recruit, onboard, and train on-site coordinators to lead groups on the ground.
Own financial and quality control. Maintain precise records of operational budgets, vendor payments, and itineraries, improving regional operations through participant feedback.
Who you are
BD-first commercial mindset. 3+ years combining business development, sales, recruitment, or account management with program coordination or logistics in an international environment with a proven track record of hitting commercial or operational targets. We are looking for genuine BD acumen, not coordination experience alone.
Asia expert. Deep firsthand knowledge and cultural literacy across East and Southeast Asia, including regional travel logistics and the Japanese corporate landscape.
Versatile problem-solver. Moves seamlessly between complex, multi-city program logistics and pitching to corporate C-level executives.
Resourceful communicator. Fluent English (written and spoken) with exceptional communication skills. Business-level Japanese (JLPT N2 or above) is required you will be building relationships and pitching within the Japanese corporate market.
Organised execution. Exceptional systematic multitasking, balancing attention to detail with an execution-driven focus across two departmental responsibilities.
Ideal / expected experience
Bachelor's degree required; Master's a plus.
Demonstrated success in pipeline management, candidate matching, or B2B sales / account acquisition.
Strong proficiency managing sales pipelines and tracking conversion in CRM platforms (HubSpot preferred).
Deep understanding of regional travel, Japanese business etiquette, and corporate logistics within Japan and the wider Asian market.
Highly collaborative, thriving in cross-functional environments spanning Corporate Engagement, Marketing, Enrollment, and Academic departments.
What we expect
Unwavering professionalism, integrity, and credibility across all employer, university, student, and internal interactions.
Adherence to prompt communication standards, including our 12-hour email response policy.
A positive, respectful, and highly collaborative approach toward colleagues, global teams, and external stakeholders.
Proactive resourcefulness and creative problem-solving.
Meticulous attention to detail and organised execution across dual responsibilities.
What you'll get
Structured onboarding and continuous professional development across placement execution, B2B sales, CRM data strategy, and regional operations.
Direct mentorship and a clear path to grow within a scaling global organisation.
A high degree of autonomy where your wins directly impact student career outcomes.
A vibrant, international team culture that values flexibility, global perspectives, and entrepreneurial initiative.
Absolute Internship is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diversity is valued, celebrated, and respected. Different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives strengthen our team and help us serve our global community better. We look forward to welcoming a passionate and skilled individual to our team!