Key Facts

Remote From:

Japan

Full time

Senior (5-10 years)

English, Japanese

Hard Skills

Other Skills

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Analytical Skills
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Report Writing
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Negotiation
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Collaboration
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Communication
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Leadership
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Team Management
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Relationship Building
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Coaching
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Problem Solving

Roles & Responsibilities

Minimally 5 years of leadership experience, specifically in channel business for cybersecurity/IT software sector.
Proven success in managing channel sales, distribution, and partner ecosystems in Japan.
Strong understanding of the Japanese IT and cybersecurity market.
Strategic planning and execution of regional go-to-market and business development initiatives.

Requirements:

Lead strategic and operational business planning with distribution partners across the region.
Drive distribution rebate performance and ensure quarterly business reviews with clear KPI tracking.
Support and execute Sophos channel programs, promotions, and sales initiatives.
Build strong cross-functional relationships within distribution partners to identify and grow new business opportunities, increase renewals, and support cross-sell initiatives.

Sophos

About Sophos

Sophos is a worldwide leader and innovator of advanced cybersecurity solutions, including Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and incident response services and a broad portfolio of endpoint, network, email, and cloud security technologies that help organizations defeat cyberattacks. As one of the largest pure-play cybersecurity providers, Sophos defends more than 500,000 organizations and more than 100 million users globally from active adversaries, ransomware, phishing, malware, and more. Sophos’ services and products connect through its cloud-based Sophos Central management console and are powered by Sophos X-Ops, the company’s cross-domain threat intelligence unit. Sophos X-Ops intelligence optimizes the entire Sophos Adaptive Cybersecurity Ecosystem, which includes a centralized data lake that leverages a rich set of open APIs available to customers, partners, developers, and other cybersecurity and information technology vendors. Sophos provides cybersecurity-as-a-service to organizations needing fully-managed, turnkey security solutions. Customers can also manage their cybersecurity directly with Sophos’ security operations platform or use a hybrid approach by supplementing their in-house teams with Sophos’ services, including threat hunting and remediation. Sophos sells through reseller partners and managed service providers (MSPs) worldwide. Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com

Company type: Large

Founded: 2018

Company size: 1001 - 5000

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Job description

About Us

Sophos is a global leader and innovator of advanced security solutions for defeating cyberattacks. The company acquired Secureworks in February 2025, bringing together two pioneers that have redefined the cybersecurity industry with their innovative, native AI-optimized services, technologies and products. Sophos is now the largest pure-play Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider, supporting more than 28,000 organizations. In addition to MDR and other services, Sophos’ complete portfolio includes industry-leading endpoint, network, email, and cloud security that interoperate and adapt to defend through the Sophos Central platform. Secureworks provides the innovative, market-leading Taegis XDR/MDR, identity threat detection and response (ITDR), next-gen SIEM capabilities, managed risk, and a comprehensive set of advisory services. Sophos sells all these solutions through reseller partners, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) worldwide, defending more than 600,000 organizations worldwide from phishing, ransomware, data theft, other every day and state-sponsored cybercrimes. The solutions are powered by historical and real-time threat intelligence from Sophos X-Ops and the newly added Counter Threat Unit (CTU). Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com.

Role Summary

The Senior Manager, Channel Sales is responsible for driving profitable revenue growth by managing and supporting all channel sales activities within the assigned region. This includes overseeing sales through distributors and other key channel partners.

In this role, you will lead a team of diverse, multi-disciplinary channel sales professionals, ensuring effective enablement, alignment, and performance across the partner ecosystem. You will work closely with strategic partners to develop and execute go-to-market strategies, optimize partner engagement, and maximize revenue opportunities throughout the region.

What You Will Do

Distribution Account Management & Channel Sales 

Lead strategic and operational business planning with distribution partners across the region.

Drive distribution rebate performance and ensure quarterly business reviews with clear KPI tracking

Support and execute Sophos channel programs, promotions, and sales initiatives.

Build strong cross-functional relationships within distribution partners to identify and grow new business opportunities, increase renewals, and support cross-sell initiatives.

Represent Sophos at partner events and deliver presentations as needed

Act as a liaison between Sophos and internal teams (e.g., Sales, Marketing, Support, Ops) to ensure seamless partner operations.

Resolve partner conflicts and drive operational efficiency across all distributor engagements.

Lead partner recruitment, enablement, and pipeline/revenue forecasting for the region.

Team Leadership & Performance Management

Drive team and individual performance through regular 1:1s, constructive feedback, and recognition of achievements.

Oversee staff sales performance, KPIs, and regional business planning outcomes.

Identify and reward top performers; proactively manage underperformance.

Conduct formal biannual performance reviews and ongoing talent assessments.

Ensure team structure supports business needs, minimizing single points of failure.

Maintain fairness in compensation decisions and ensure transparent, timely communication.

Resolve team conflicts and foster collaboration across departments.

Support staff development through coaching, training, and succession planning.

Manage recruitment and onboarding to ensure timely, high-quality hires.

What You Will Bring

Minimally 5 years of leadership experience, specifically in channel business for cybersecurity/IT software sector.

Proven success in managing channel sales, distribution, and partner ecosystems in Japan

Strong understanding of the Japanese IT and cybersecurity market

Strategic planning and execution of regional go-to-market and business development initiatives

Demonstrated ability to drive revenue growth through channel partners and distributors

Skilled in conducting partner business reviews, forecasting, and performance analysis

Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills (internal and external)

Experience with channel program rollout, partner enablement, and promotional campaigns

Ability to manage and develop a high-performing, cross-functional team

Proficiency in conflict resolution, negotiation, and influencing at executive levels

Fluent in Japanese and Business Level English (written and spoken)

Strong analytical, presentation, and reporting skills

Culturally aware and adept at working in a matrixed, multinational environment

#B2

Ready to Join Us?

At Sophos, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives to fuel innovation. Research shows that candidates sometimes hesitate to apply if they don't check every box in a job description. We challenge that notion. Your unique experiences and skills might be exactly what we need to enhance our team. Don't let a checklist hold you back – we encourage you to apply.

What's Great About Sophos?

· Sophos operates a remote-first working model, making remote work the primary option for most employees. However, some roles may necessitate a hybrid approach. While we are a remote first organization, applicants must have legal authorization to work in the jurisdiction where the position is posted, without requiring employer sponsorship.

· Our people – we innovate and create, all of which are accompanied by a great sense of fun and team spirit

· Employee-led diversity and inclusion networks that build community and provide education and advocacy

· Annual charity and fundraising initiatives and volunteer days for employees to support local communities

· Global employee sustainability initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint

· Global fitness and trivia competitions to keep our bodies and minds sharp

· Global wellbeing days for employees to relax and recharge

· Monthly wellbeing webinars and training to support employee health and wellbeing

Our Commitment To You

We’re proud of the diverse and inclusive environment we have at Sophos, and we’re committed to ensuring equality of opportunity. We believe that diversity, combined with excellence, builds a better Sophos, so we encourage applicants who can contribute to the diversity of our team. All applicants will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, sex, gender reassignment, marital status, race, religion or belief, color, age, military veteran status, disability, pregnancy, maternity or sexual orientation. We want to give you every opportunity to show us your best self, so if there are any adjustments we could make to the recruitment and selection process to support you, please let us know.

Data Protection

If you choose to explore an opportunity, and subsequently share your CV or other personal details with Sophos, these details will be held by Sophos for 12 months in accordance with our Privacy Policy and used by our recruitment team to contact you regarding this or other relevant opportunities at Sophos. If you would like Sophos to delete or update your details at any time, please follow the steps set out in the Privacy Policy describing your individual rights. For more information on Sophos’ data protection practices, please consult our Privacy Policy Cybersecurity as a Service Delivered | Sophos

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