Business Development Manager

Keywords Studios is seeking a results-driven Business Development Manager to identify, prospect, and secure new art production service contracts within the Japanese video games and entertainment market. This role focuses on client acquisition, building pipelines, qualifying leads, and closing deals with new publishers, developers, and IP owners. The manager will collaborate with global production teams to tailor solutions and execute growth strategies in Japan, requiring fluent Japanese, high English proficiency, and a deep understanding of the local industry.

Must Have

• Proactively identify and prospect new clients in the Japanese games industry.
• Generate qualified leads through strategic outreach and market research.
• Conduct initial meetings and presentations for Keywords Art Studios.
• Uncover client art production needs, roadmaps, and budgets.
• Collaborate with global Art Production teams on proposals and SOWs.
• Lead negotiations to secure new project contracts.
• Support new client acquisition strategies with Japanese leadership.
• Participate in marketing and brand building activities.
• Transition new clients and projects to Account Management.
• Maintain accurate records in CRM system.
• Stay current with Japanese industry trends and competitors.
• Fluent Japanese and high English language proficiency.
• 3-5 years in Business Development, Sales, or New Client Acquisition in Japan.
• Deep understanding of Japanese business culture.
• Ability to communicate, present, and influence effectively.
• Excellent listening, negotiation, and closing skills.
• Strong knowledge of art production tools like Maya, Blender, Unity, Unreal.
• Proven ability to manage a large pipeline of prospective clients.

Good to Have

• Prior experience selling outsourced services to the video gaming industry.

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive Market Rate Remuneration
• Genuine flexible working (one or two days in studio)
• Opportunity to work with regional APAC partners
• Global opportunities
• Inclusive, flexible, and diverse work environment

Business Development Manager

• Full-time
• Department: Shared Services - Marketing

Company Description

Keywords Studios is one of the largest go-to technical and creative services providers to the global video games industry. We provide integrated art production, engineering, audio services, testing, localization, and player support services for PC, Playstation, Nintendo, Xbox video games. How big are we? 12,000 employees. 80+ Studios. 20+ Countries.

In Japan, Keywords Studios delivers its full range of services across Create, Globalize, and Engage, supporting leading publishers, developers, agencies, and IP owners through both local and global teams. Our presence includes the Tokyo-based development studio Wizcorp, as well as established localization, QA, player support, and marketing capabilities that serve some of the most influential companies in the Japanese games and entertainment industry. As Japan remains one of the world’s most strategically important and culturally defining markets for interactive entertainment, we are strengthening our local marketing leadership to ensure that our global strategy is effectively adapted, localized, and executed for Japanese partners.

Job Description

We are looking for a motivated, results-driven Business Development Manager to actively identify, prospect, and secure new business opportunities for Keywords Art Studios within the Japanese market. This role is focused on client acquisition—establishing initial contact, building the pipeline, qualifying leads, and closing new project contracts with publishers, developers, and IP owners who are not currently utilizing Keywords Art services. The candidate must possess fluent Japanese and a high degree of English proficiency, coupled with a deep understanding of the Japanese games industry and Japanese business etiquette. You will be expected to credibly discuss art production services and collaborate with internal stakeholders to define and present tailored solutions. This role is crucial for executing Keywords Art Studios’ growth strategy in one of the world’s most strategically vital markets.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Proactively identify and prospect potential new clients within the Japanese games and entertainment industry that require outsourced art services (Concept Art, 3D Modeling, Animation, UI/UX).
• Generate a steady pipeline of qualified leads through building relationships and strategic outreach (cold calling, email campaigns, networking, industry events, social media) and market research.
• Conduct initial meetings and presentations with potential clients to introduce Keywords Art Studios' capabilities and portfolio, acting as the primary representative.
• Skillfully investigate and question potential clients to uncover their specific and latent art production needs, development roadmaps, and budgetary constraints.
• Collaborate closely with global Art Production teams (PMs, Art Directors, Leads) in India, China, US, and other locations to craft compelling proposals, Statements of Work (SOWs), and cost estimates for new projects.
• Lead negotiations to secure new contracts, focusing on achieving optimal terms that satisfy both the client's requirements and Keywords Studios' commercial objectives.
• Work with Japanese leadership and executives at Keywords Art Studios to create and execute proactive strategies for new client acquisition, actively supporting the overall growth targets.
• Build the Keywords brand by actively participating in marketing and brand building channels/exercises, particularly those focused on new client outreach (e.g., attending TGS, networking events).
• Seamlessly transition newly secured clients and initial projects to the dedicated Account Management/Production teams, ensuring a smooth and positive onboarding experience.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all prospecting activities, new opportunities, sales stages, and forecasts using the company's CRM system (e.g., Salesforce).
• Stay current with industry trends, competitor activities, and new game/IP announcements in Japan to identify strategic acquisition targets.
• Some local and international travel may be required if necessary to visit clients or accompany client visits to studios in India, China and US.

Qualifications

• Fluent Japanese and high degree of English language proficiency.
• Minimum 3-5 years of proven experience in a "hunting" Business Development, Sales, or New Client Acquisition role, preferably within a business-to-business service environment in Japan.
• Prior experience selling outsourced services, technology, or creative/art services to the video gaming industry is a very strong advantage.
• Deep understanding of Japanese business culture and the expectations of Japanese clients regarding communication, quality, and delivery schedules.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, present and influence credibly and effectively at all levels of an organization.
• Excellent listening, negotiation, and closing skills.
• Self-motivated and able to thrive in a highly results-driven environment, with a strong focus on hitting new business targets.
• A strong knowledge of art production and the tools and pipelines required to deliver projects (Maya, Blender, Unity/Unreal and asset creation workflows) to talk credibly with art decision-makers.
• Natural relationship builder with integrity, reliability, and maturity.
• Proven ability to manage a large pipeline of prospective clients simultaneously, while maintaining strict attention to detail and consistent outreach quality.

Additional Information

• Competitive Market Rate Remuneration
• Genuine flexible working – One or two days in studio.
• Opportunity to work with our regional APAC partners, opening up to global opportunities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to fostering a work environment that is inclusive, supports flexibility, and welcomes diversity.

Role Information: EN

Studio: Keywords Studios

Location: Asia Pacific, Japan, Tokyo

Area of Work: Business Development

Service: Create

Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent

Working Pattern: Remote