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SI/MSSP Senior Channel Account Executive – Japan

Key Facts

Remote From: 
Full time
Senior (5-10 years)
Japanese, English

Other Skills

  • Accountability
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Business Acumen
  • Problem Solving

Roles & Responsibilities

  • 7+ years of experience in channel sales, alliances, or partner management within cybersecurity or enterprise technology
  • Proven ability to recruit, onboard, and activate partners (GSIs, MSSPs, MSPs) and deliver partner-sourced pipeline; hands-on experience with GSIs/MSSPs/MSPs in revenue-focused roles
  • Strong understanding of cybersecurity solutions and services (MDR, EDR/XDR, managed security services, identity, cloud security) and strong business acumen with pipeline management and forecasting
  • Fluent Japanese; business-level English; Bachelor's degree required (equivalent experience considered; advanced degree a plus)

Requirements:

  • Own and execute the partner plan for Japanese GSIs and MSSPs, including target account alignment, segmentation, quarterly execution priorities, and recruitment of net-new partners
  • Develop and execute joint GTM plans with GSIs/MSSPs, including co-sell motions, campaigns, and partner-sourced pipeline generation
  • Drive day-to-day partner execution and relationships: opportunity registration, pipeline inspection, forecasting inputs, blockers removal; build and maintain senior relationships with partner sales and delivery leadership; coordinate enablement and readiness
  • Track and report partner performance (pipeline, bookings, attach, recruitment progress) with clear updates and next steps; align messaging and execution with Japan sales leadership, global service provider teams, product, and marketing

Job description

About Us
Sophos is a cybersecurity leader defending 600,000 organizations globally with an AI-driven platform and expert-led services. Sophos meets organizations wherever they are in their security maturity and grows with them to defeat cyberattacks. Its solutions combine machine learning, automation, and real-time threat intelligence with frontline human expertise from Sophos X-Ops to deliver advanced, 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and response.
 
Sophos offers industry-leading managed detection and response (MDR) alongside a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity technologies — including endpoint, network, email, and cloud security, extended detection and response (XDR), identity threat detection and response (ITDR), and next-gen SIEM. Together with expert advisory services, these capabilities help organizations proactively reduce risk and respond faster, with the visibility and scalability needed to stay ahead of evolving threats.
 
Sophos goes to market with a global partner ecosystem, including Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), resellers and distributors, marketplace integrations, and cyber risk partners, giving organizations the flexibility to choose trusted relationships when securing their business. Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com.

We are seeking a GSI and MSSP Channel Account Executive – Japan to grow revenue and pipeline through Japanese headquartered Global System Integrators (GSIs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), while recruiting net new GSIs and MSSPs to expand our partner ecosystem in Japan. 

Reporting to the Global Vice President, Channel MSP Sales , this Japan-based role is accountable for partner recruitment, joint business planning, and execution with a defined set of strategic partners—ensuring GSI and MSSP activity drives measurable pipeline, bookings, and services attach across Japan. 

This role requires a self-starter who can open doors, build executive relationships, and drive partner-led GTM execution with consistency and accountability. 


What You Will Do
  • Own partner plan for Japanese headquartered GSIs and MSSPs, including target account alignment, partner segmentation, and quarterly execution priorities 

  • Recruit net new GSIs and MSSPs in Japan by identifying, qualifying, and onboarding partners that align to our ideal partner profile and market strategy 

  • Develop and execute joint GTM plans with selected GSIs/MSSPs, including co-sell motions, campaigns, and partner-sourced pipeline generation 

  • Drive day-to-day partner execution: opportunity registration, pipeline inspection, forecasting inputs, and removal of blockers across internal teams and partner stakeholders 

  • Build and maintain senior relationships with partner sales and delivery leadership; serve as the primary point of coordination and escalation for Japan-based GSI/MSSP engagements 

  • Coordinate enablement and readiness (sales plays, certifications, solution alignment) so partners can position and deliver our solutions effectively in Japan 

  • Partner with Japan sales leadership, global service provider teams, product, and marketing to align messaging, offers, and execution support for partner-led opportunities 

  • Track and report partner performance (pipeline, bookings, attach, recruitment progress) with clear, action-oriented updates and next steps 


What You Will Bring
  • 7+ years of experience in channel sales, alliances, or partner management within cybersecurity or enterprise technology 

  • Proven ability to recruit, onboard, and activate partners, including building joint plans and delivering partner-sourced pipeline 

  • Hands-on experience working with GSIs, MSSPs, MSPs, or large solution providers in a revenue-focused capacity 

  • Strong understanding of cybersecurity solutions and services such as MDR, EDR/XDR, managed security services, identity, and cloud security 

  • Strong business acumen and disciplined execution: pipeline management, forecasting hygiene, and cross-functional coordination 

  • Comfortable operating in a global, matrixed environment with stakeholders across Japan and international teams 

  • Fluent Japanese required; business-level English preferred 

  • Bachelor’s degree required; equivalent experience considered; advanced degree a plus 

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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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