Head of Partnerships, Japan
Substack · San Francisco, CA
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $150,000 / year
- San Francisco, CA
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Job highlights
- Lead Substack's growth in Japan.
- Onboard and support top Japanese creators.
- Build strong industry relationships.
- Represent Substack externally.
- Drive creator acquisition and retention.
About the role
Head of Partnerships Japan
Substack is building a new global economic engine for culture, giving the most creative and interesting people on the internet the power of their own publishing platform. Substack’s model—based on direct subscriptions—has fueled an explosion of independent publishing, empowering creators with economic autonomy, creative ownership, and a direct connection to their most engaged audiences.
We’re hiring a Head of Partnerships for Tokyo to lead and scale the Japanese Substack business. Working alongside our Head of International, you’ll be responsible for building awareness of the Substack brand in Japan, onboarding the country’s most exciting independent talent, as well as helping to tell the Substack story to creators and consumers across the country.
This is a pivotal role for an exceptional leader who has a strong track record of business growth as well as nurturing creative talent across all mediums. You’ll also be a strategic thinker who is as comfortable working with big political names as you are smaller less well known creators. Knowledge of events and being comfortable speaking publicly is a bonus.
What You’ll Do:
- With the help of Substack’s Head of International you’ll develop and execute a strategy for onboarding influential creators, helping them build successful subscription businesses and vibrant communities on Substack.
- Own key growth metrics around creator acquisition, retention, revenue, and engagement—aligning impact with Substack’s broader business goals.
- Build and deepen relationships with creators, talent managers, studios, agencies, tastemakers to the press to expand Substack’s presence in the cultural ecosystem.
- Champion Japanese creators internally by synthesizing their needs, motivations, and ambitions into product, support, and partnership opportunities.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Data, Marketing, and Communications to evolve the Japanese creator experience and improve outreach and feature adoption.
- Represent Substack externally—on stage, in the press, and in key industry rooms—positioning the company as the premier platform for independent creative work.
- Stay ahead of creator economy trends, emerging formats, and shifting audience behaviors to keep Substack on the leading edge in Japan.
What We’re Looking For:
- 7+ years of experience as a leader in creator partnerships, talent development, business development or editorial.
- Proven success leading and scaling teams in fast-paced environments with high agency and ownership.
- Deep empathy for creators and an understanding of the challenges and opportunities they face when building independent careers.
- A robust network across the creator economy—including relationships with top creators, talent agencies, production companies, digital media leaders and journalists.
- A demonstrable and exceptional understanding of the Japanese ‘creator’ market.
- An ability to communicate clearly and effectively often on a public stage is a bonus.
Substack’s compensation package includes a market-competitive salary and benefits. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including candidate experience and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed above.
Substack is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or transgender status), age, national origin, veteran or disability status. We’re seeking people passionate about enabling independent expression and building a better business model for creators. If you want to see what media, communities, and content can become when unmoored from advertising models, and you have the skills and experience to contribute, we’d love to meet you.
Please see our Privacy Notice for details regarding Substack's collection and use of personal information relating to the application and recruitment process by clicking here.
Key skills/competency
- Partnerships Strategy
- Creator Economy
- Business Development
- Talent Development
- Team Leadership
- Market Analysis
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Public Speaking
- Relationship Building
- Substack Platform
Skills & topics
- Head of Partnerships
- Japan
- Substack
- Creator Economy
- Partnerships
- Business Development
- Talent Development
- Publishing
- Media
- Remote
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 7+ years of leadership experience in creator partnerships, talent development, or business development, emphasizing your understanding of the Japanese creator market.
- Craft a compelling cover letter: Showcase your passion for Substack's mission and your proven ability to grow businesses and nurture creative talent.
- Network strategically: Leverage your existing relationships within the Japanese creator economy to gain insights and potential referrals.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your strategies for creator acquisition, retention, and community building, and demonstrate your communication skills.
- Understand Substack's values: Align your application and interview responses with Substack's commitment to independent expression and creator empowerment.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key responsibilities for the Head of Partnerships, Japan at Substack?
- The Head of Partnerships, Japan will be responsible for developing and executing a strategy to grow Substack's business in Japan. This includes onboarding influential creators, managing key growth metrics, building relationships within the creator ecosystem, and representing Substack externally. You'll also champion Japanese creators internally and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- What experience is Substack looking for in a Head of Partnerships, Japan?
- Substack is seeking candidates with over 7 years of leadership experience in creator partnerships, talent development, business development, or editorial roles. Key qualifications include a proven track record of scaling teams, deep empathy for creators, a robust network in the creator economy, and an exceptional understanding of the Japanese creator market. Public speaking experience is a plus.
- Is this a remote position for the Head of Partnerships, Japan role?
- Yes, the Head of Partnerships, Japan position is a remote role, based in Tokyo. This allows for flexibility while maintaining a strong presence and connection within the Japanese market.
- How does Substack support creators in Japan?
- Substack empowers creators by providing them with their own publishing platform to build subscription businesses and vibrant communities. The Head of Partnerships, Japan will work closely with creators to help them succeed, driving acquisition, retention, revenue, and engagement. Substack focuses on economic autonomy and creative ownership for creators.
- What is Substack's approach to compensation and benefits for the Head of Partnerships, Japan?
- Substack offers a market-competitive salary and benefits package. The final compensation will be determined based on factors such as the candidate's experience and expertise. Substack is committed to fair compensation for its employees.
- How can I best showcase my understanding of the Japanese creator market for this role?
- To demonstrate your understanding, highlight specific examples of your experience with Japanese creators, platforms, and market trends. Discuss your network within the Japanese creator economy and how you've successfully partnered with talent, agencies, or media leaders in the region. Mention any relevant public speaking engagements or media representation you've undertaken in Japan.