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Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) is seeking to hire a Japan Desk Manager to support the growing Japan Desk initiative based in Cambridge, MA. This person will work closely with the International Programs Manager, Japan Desk to serve as a touchpoint for Japanese companies seeking to tap into CIC & Boston's innovation ecosystem, as well as Boston-based companies looking to connect with Japanese partners.
ABOUT CIC Founded in 1999, CIC's mission is to improve the world by helping exceptional entrepreneurs innovate better & faster. We offer carefully curated working environments that combine private, secure offices alongside shared amenities in locations across Boston, Cambridge, Miami, Philadelphia, Providence, Rotterdam, St. Louis, Warsaw, & Tokyo & are growing into other cities, within the US & abroad. We currently serve 2000+ startups, growth companies, & branches of larger organizations, representing for-profit, mission-driven, & non-profit sectors across a wide array of industries. The spaces are purposefully designed & built for innovation, featuring tailored workspaces such as biotech & robotics laboratories, & bring together frequent, large gatherings of the best & brightest innovators & entrepreneurs.
CIC currently has over a million square feet of space under lease & is actively pursuing campuses in additional cities globally with plans to grow to 50 cities over the next 10 years. We pride ourselves on displaying a high degree of care & accuracy in everything that we do, & we work to ensure that our clients thrive every day that they are in our space. We believe that our ability to support world-changing entrepreneurs is only as good as the people who make up our teams, & as such we are looking for people who are interested in contributing to--and improving--the way we work.
We invite you to explore all our openings & learn more about our teams here.
ABOUT CIC'S JAPAN DESK CIC's mission is to make the world better by helping create powerful innovation ecosystems, & we believe a way to do this is by building connections between innovation ecosystems of different nations. CIC has chosen to focus on the particularly high-potential opportunity of deepening relations between Japanese & American innovators, given the size of both countries' economies as well as the significant cultural & language barriers that exist between them.
Accordingly, in 2016, CIC inaugurated the Japan Desk. The Japan Desk is CIC's Boston-based touchpoint for Japanese & Japan-adjacent companies. In partnership with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) & the Consulate General of Japan to Boston, we support the work of Japanese CIC clients in the Greater Boston Area. This support includes making introductions to key players in the Boston innovation ecosystem, giving Japanese-language tours, providing briefing services for companies seeking to establish a presence in Massachusetts, & encouraging Boston-based startups to explore the Japan market.
YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK The Japan Desk Manager will primarily focus on helping Japanese startups & small enterprises explore opportunities for Boston expansion, & help Japanese corporations establish their local presence & connections in the Boston/Cambridge ecosystem. In addition, the Japan Desk will contribute to our ongoing efforts to grow CIC Tokyo & build bridges between CIC Cambridge & CIC Tokyo communities.
The Japan Desk Manager will report to the International Programs Manager, Japan Desk at CIC Cambridge & leadership at CIC Tokyo. The role will include supporting the development of new programs to expand the scope of the Japan Desk initiative at CIC, as well as helping to run existing programs & events.
Additionally, as a primary leader of the local Greater Boston innovation ecosystem, CIC plays the role of convener, connector, & guide for the community, welcoming visitors & companies from around the world. Therefore, we are looking for a dynamic professional to strategically represent us as the Madoguchi,” the welcome point for the growing number of Japanese delegations visiting & building a presence in CIC & Boston/Cambridge.
Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: • Manage the operational & administrative details of the JETRO Global Acceleration Hub Program, supporting the overseas expansion of startups from Japan by connecting them with mentors, arranging meetings with potential business partners & investors, & helping them connect with other important resources. • Contribute to the organization & execution of intensive bootcamp programs in partnership with JETRO that aim to accelerate the overseas expansion of startups from Japan, designing & delivering effective workshop content, providing individual one-on-one mentoring, & organizing networking & Demo Day events to showcase participants' technologies. • Bridge Japanese companies' needs to CIC & affiliate organizations (i.e. Venture Caf, Captains of Innovation) & serve as an overall ambassador for the CIC brand. • Build a network of local experts who are knowledgeable about the Boston innovation ecosystem & eager to support startups from Japan. • Design & create content to spread the word about Japan Desk activities & the activities of the CIC Japan community, as well as deepen the connection between the CIC Cambridge & CIC Tokyo communities (including interviews with local players). • Coordinate & lead tours of CIC's main campuses to promote awareness of CIC's innovation campuses & brand to potential partners & clients. • Convene & promote the Japanese community in Boston by hosting events ranging from casual meetups to conferences, in collaboration with the Japanese Consulate & with other external partners both in Cambridge/Boston & in Japan.
ABOUT YOU The ideal candidate will possess the following characteristics: • Passion for startups, innovation, & entrepreneurship & excellent instincts as a connector/networker. • Strong relationship-building & communication skills, with stakeholders ranging from solo entrepreneurs to government authorities to large corporations. • Strong ability to maintain partner relationships. • Capacity to manage multiple projects at the same time as well as facilitate & maintain smooth communication with multiple outside stakeholders. • Ability to self-direct & anticipate problems & needs. • Team-player attitude; we are looking for someone who is personable, happy to help others, & naturally drawn to a very busy, continually-evolving environment. • Detail-oriented & able to accurately & simultaneously track detailed reporting requirements from partners across multiple projects. • Reliable, trustworthy, & continually willing to learn.
YOU HAVE • At least two years of corporate experience working with Japanese companies. • Strong preference of a bachelor's degree or significant relevant experience; advanced degrees welcome. • Willingness to travel as needed. • Interest in a long-term role. We are a growing company, & we like to hire people who can grow with us over the years. • Native-level Japanese & English fluency. Must be able to produce professional, high-quality business communications in both languages. • Because this role is based in Cambridge, MA, this role will require regularly (i.e., 3-4 days per week) working outside of normal working hours (e.g. early morning & late evening) to accommodate Japanese partners.
As of August 2021, a condition of employment for all new CIC employees in Massachusetts is full COVID-19 vaccination. More details will be shared during the interview process & we can answer questions at that point if you have any.
If you don't meet all the requirements or qualifications but bring some other unique skills & experience that would be valuable in this role, please apply & highlight those attributes for us in your cover letter.
OUR OFFER • Starting compensation is commensurate with experience. • 100% company paid premium healthcare & dental benefits. • 100% company paid long & short-term disability, & life insurance. • 401k (must be 21+). • Three weeks of vacation (more with seniority) plus thirteen holidays from the start.
ATTRACTIONS OF THE JOB In addition to helping our clients achieve great things, we work to ensure that our employees are healthy & supported. Some of the benefits of being here include: • Fun people in a dynamic space. We pride ourselves on finding driven & bright collaborators who are eager to lend their own unique skills to the team, as well as to our inspiring clientele. The number one reason CICers say they like working here is because of their colleagues! • Personal growth. This is a great opportunity to learn & develop skills within the epicenter of the innovation community at a growing company. • Access to a nursing room, secure bicycle parking, a maker space, a gym, shower rooms with towels, & discounted services & memberships on resources to make your life happier/healthier such as gym memberships, tech & design support, hotel stays, & other fantastic options. • Central location. CIC Cambridge is a stone's throw from the Kendall Square MBTA Red Line stop. CIC Boston is centrally located in downtown Boston & is within walking distance to the Blue, Green, Orange, & Red line.
CIC is committed to building teams that reflect the fabric of the cities we support. We welcome all candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, Veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Any other human expressions & experiences not mentioned here are equally welcome. If you require an accommodation please let us know. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
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