Senior Business Development Manager - Japan

Job description

We’re looking for a Senior Business Development Manager to join our Wise Platform team, focused on driving growth across Japan. This is a high-impact role with full ownership of two priority markets. You will be responsible for building and converting pipeline, structuring complex partnerships, and delivering revenue end-to-end — from first engagement through to go-live and ramp. This role requires someone who is hands-on, detail-oriented, and commercially rigorous, with the ability to operate independently and drive momentum across complex, long-cycle deals.

Why this role This is an opportunity to own and scale two high-potential markets, working on complex cross-border payment solutions with leading financial institutions — while building the infrastructure that’s reshaping how money moves globally. You’ll be working on real problems that impact customers at scale, partnering with some of the most important players in the ecosystem, and operating in a team that values ownership, speed, and high standards.

The role offers

End-to-end ownership of markets and deals Exposure to top-tier banks and PSPs across Southeast Asia The opportunity to work on complex, high-impact problems, not transactional sales A chance to shape how Wise grows its global payments infrastructure A high-performing, low-ego team with strong commercial standards

What You’ll Do

• Own business development across Japan end-to-end
• Build high-quality, qualified pipeline and actively manage it with clear prioritisation Originate, structure, and close complex partnerships with banks and PSPs
• Drive deals forward with clear next steps, risk identification, and execution plans
• Work cross-functionally to design and deliver partner solutions
• Stay closely involved post-signing to ensure successful launch and revenue ramp
• Develop a deep understanding of your markets and build a clear strategy to win Bring structured thinking to forecasting, pipeline management, and deal execution

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

• Strong experience in business development or partnerships within payments or financial services Experience selling cross-border payments, APIs, or infrastructure solutions is highly preferred
• Proven track record of owning and closing complex deals with banks or financial institutions Highly driven and self-directed, with the ability to operate in ambiguity Detail-oriented and hands-on, comfortable going deep into product, operational, and regulatory topics
• Strong commercial judgment and pipeline discipline Solution-oriented mindset — able to unblock deals and move them forward Curious and proactive, with a strong desire to understand markets deeply
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Strong proficiency in Japanese (written and spoken), as the role requires regular communication, collaboration, and complex deal structuring with corporate clients, top-tier banks, and financial institutions based in Japan