General Manager, Japan

Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.

Joby Aviation is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial leader to serve as the General Manager (GM) for Japan. As the leader of Joby’s operational footprint in the region, you will report to the President of Operations to build the business from the ground up. You will be responsible for establishing foundational relationships, designing a localized operating model, and executing a multi-year strategy to launch a safe, compliant, and scalable aerial ridesharing service alongside our joint venture (JV) partners.

Working closely with Joby’s senior leadership and U.S. headquarters teams, you will drive government and municipal engagement, develop strategic partnerships, support deal execution, and lead operational execution. As the face of Joby in Japan, you will elevate brand awareness with stakeholders and media, translate complex market insights into decisive action, and provide critical performance updates to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.

• Policy and Partnerships: In partnership with Joby’s government affairs team and corporate development team, build on existing government relations and partnerships in Japan, and identify new partnership opportunities, whilst maintaining strong relationships with local government entities, municipalities, and strategic partners to build trust and credibility, thereby strengthening Joby’s position in Japan
• Drive Strategic Execution: Implement a vision and multi-year business strategy that balances execution through joint ventures and core business functions across marketing, government relations, corporate development, business development, product, infrastructure, operations, finance, legal, and people teams.
• Maintain Market Awareness: stay apprised of local trends, infrastructure opportunities, consumer mobility preferences, etc., within Japan, and build action plans to exploit opportunities for Joby 
• Collaborate with US Team: Work cross-functionally with Joby’s US-based headquarters functions to support global strategic initiatives and to launch a successful, safe, and compliant service in Japan
• Collaborate with Joint-Venture partners: play an integral role in current and future joint ventures in Japan. 
• Build the Business Foundation: Lay the foundation for the future Japanese market for Joby
• Execute the Operational Plan: In collaboration with our JV partners, launch Joby operations in Japan
• Establish the Joby Brand Locally: Gather market insights and work closely with Joby’s marketing, business development, and communications teams to build a highly recognizable brand within Japan
• Be the Local Face of Joby: Serve as the primary local representative of Joby at Japan-based events and with local press to drive awareness and early adoption
• Report to Joby Leadership: Provide regular updates on business performance and identify areas requiring support from the executive team and board of directors

Employment Type

• Full-time employee employee
• Probationary period: Yes (3-6 months)

Wages

• Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and is commensurate with education and experience

Work Location

• Telework from home
• Business travel may will be required up to 30%
• Scope of Change: Company-designated locations (including telework locations)
• Smoking: Prohibited in and around all Joby Offices

Working Hours & Holidays

• Flextime System
• Working Hours: You will serve as the primary bridge to our California Headquarters, which involves strategic synchronization across time zones (typically Tokyo morning/California afternoon)
• Annual Holiday: Public holidays & New Years holiday 

Benefits & Insurance

• Comprehensive benefits package with paid Annual Leave days

Name of Organization Recruiting

• Joby Aviation

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 10+ years of experience in M&A, Corporate Development, Operations, Program Management, Business Development, Government Relations, and/or Strategy
• 5+ years of demonstrated success in leading and managing large, high-performing teams within a fast-paced and dynamic entrepreneurial and/or operational environment.
• Extensive professional network within Japan, and proven ability to develop and maintain relationships with experience navigating Japanese corporate culture and decision-making processes.
• Fluent in both Japanese and English, in both written and verbal communication.
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and structured problem-solving skills demonstrated through the delivery of large complex projects/programs.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence at all levels, inspire teams, collaborate cross-functionally, and represent the organization with external stakeholders.
• An entrepreneurial mindset suited for launching and scaling a new entity.
• Willing to be based full-time in Tokyo, Japan and able to travel up to 30% of the time, including to the United States.
• Legally able to work in Japan, or have the ability to be sponsored for a work visa.

• MBA or advanced degree in a relevant industry.
• Deep policy exposure and knowledge of regulatory frameworks (JCAB, FAA, and/or EASA).
• Proven track record of P&L management.
• Experience in the aviation or aerospace industry.
• Previously launched and scaled a business or business unit.
• Broad business experience in Japan and across Asia.
• Japanese resident currently living in the Tokyo area.