Business Development Manager (Japanese and English bilingual)

33 USA Inc.•Los Angeles, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

33 USA Inc. is seeking a results-oriented Business Development Manager to drive our agency’s growth in North America. This role sits at the intersection of Business Development and Client Services, responsible for defining sales strategies to acquire new clients while acting as a strategic partner to key existing accounts to maximize their lifetime value. As a Manager, you will oversee the sales pipeline, mentor junior BD Leads, and work directly with leadership to bridge Japanese content with the global market.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in Business Development, Account Management, or Sales within a Marketing Agency, Advertising, or Entertainment industry setting.
Native-level proficiency in English and Japanese.
Proven history of meeting or exceeding revenue targets ($1M+ annual portfolio management experience preferred).
Deep understanding of the US & Japanese entertainment landscape (Anime, Manga, Gaming) and marketing agency business models.
2+ years of experience in managing or mentoring junior team members.

Nice To Haves

Strong grasp of digital marketing, media planning, and creative production workflows to effectively consult clients.
Existing relationships with key stakeholders in the US entertainment and licensing sectors.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.
MBA is a plus.
Ability to structure deals that are profitable for the agency and valuable for the client.
Ability to diagnose client business problems and propose tailored marketing solutions.
Expertly navigating the nuances between US corporate culture and Japanese business etiquette.

Responsibilities

Own the annual revenue target for the North American market; develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy to achieve high-growth goals.
Oversee the entire sales cycle from prospecting to closing. Target high-value contracts with major entertainment studios, publishers, and streaming platforms.
Identify and negotiate complex partnership structures, including licensing deals, agency-of-record (AOR) agreements, and joint ventures.
Represent the company agency at key industry events like (Anime Expo and Comic-Con, CES, SXSW, Licensing Expo) to build a robust network of Client and Partner company decision-makers.
Act as the senior point of contact for key clients, moving beyond transactional requests to provide long-term marketing consultancy and brand strategy.
Identify opportunities within existing accounts to expand service scope (e.g., adding PR, Social Media Marketing, Event Marketing or Digital Marketing, Creative Production, or PR services to existing projects).
Oversee client health and satisfaction, conducting Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) to demonstrate ROI and secure contract renewals.
Manage account profitability (P&L), ensure accurate forecasting, and oversee billing/contract negotiations to protect agency margins.
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Business Development Leads and Associates. Set individual KPIs and provide coaching to improve their pitching and closing skills.
Collaborate with Marketing, Creative, and Project Management teams to ensure that promises made during the sales process are feasible and delivered with excellence.
Serve as a bridge between the US office and Japan Headquarters, ensuring global strategies are localized effectively for the North American market.