Industry: High Tech Software
AVERAGE Annual Salary: 7,000,000 yen
Japanese: 5 - native
English: 3 - good
DESCRIPTION:
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Title: Client Manager - Japan
Location: Japan
Working side-by-side with our clients, Blackboard is pioneering e-Education across the globe. Our academic and commerce suites of products – targeted to primary and secondary schools, higher education, corporate and government markets – deliver on the promise of the internet for online teaching and learning, campus communities, campus commerce services, and the integration of Web-enabled student services and back office systems.
For more information about Blackboard and our career opportunities, please visit www.blackboard.com.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Blackboard is looking for a mature, accomplished and experienced Client Manager to help build and support the rapidly growing Blackboard business in Asia Pacific with a primary focus in Japan.
The Client Manager (CM) is responsible for retention of all accounts in the allocated territory, both direct and indirect. It is also the responsibility of this Client Manager to support the Regional Channel Sales Manager(s) through identifying potential sales opportunities and ensuring that the client is satisfied and in good standing with their renewal at all times.
The Client Manager will play an integral role in the success of the sales organisation. With the ultimate goal being client satisfaction, retention and loyalty, the Client Manager will be responsible for:
- Managing Blackboard software license renewals and ensuring a successful Blackboard Client Care strategy to the existing client base. The management of these existing client accounts is fulfilled through a combination of direct and indirect channels.
- The territory that this CM covers includes primarily Japan. This territory may be changed according to business requirements from time to time.
- This position currently reports into VP Sales – Asia Pacific position.
- For indirect accounts, the CM is to manage the renewal, retention and client success requirements via the Resellers appointed in the region. The CM is required to engage and work closely at all times with these Resellers and their appointed members of the team.
- Ensuring that clients/resellers process their renewal POs and pay their invoices within the time frame defined in the Rules of Engagement. This is done with the assistance of the Finance Operations group.
- Participating, contributing and/or organising client retention and business development events such as Blackboard Days, State User's Groups, Industry Conferences, Trade Shows, Product and Web-based seminars, etc. This may be done in conjunction with the Bb AP Marketing team as well as the Reseller Marketing teams.
- Working with the Regional Channel Sales Manager(s) and the Outreach Manager on pipeline generation and prospecting activities/campaigns.
- Building client success stories, references and regional events and initiatives with the assistance of the Marketing group.
- Act as the main point of contact within Blackboard for clients within your given territory at all times. The Client Manager is the primary liaison, ambassador and spokesperson for Blackboard and the client.
- Identifying potential sales opportunities in the existing client base and working with the appropriate Regional Sales Manager/Reseller teams for follow-up.
- Understanding all Bb Services being purchased by the client and the value proposition of each.
- Becoming a client "Trusted Advisor":
- Play the role of "customer advocate" while at the same time always being an advocate for Blackboard.
- Keep abreast of competition, competitive issues and products and current industry trends
- Working with the clients to plan for the implementation of new applications/product upgrades.
- Ensuring that all client contacts and product data stored in the Client Relationship Management (CRM) system is accurate and up-to-date. Document all sales activity and client interaction using sales force automation (SFA) and Client Relationship Management (CRM) tools.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum 5 years relevant client relationship management experience, ideally to an established customer base.
- Proven successful track record in achieving and exceeding sales/renewal quotas on a regular basis.
- Proven ability in account management and in managing client relationships effectively.
- Understanding and knowledge of sales into education sector, specifically higher education is a big plus.
- Able to quickly develop an understanding of the e-learning solutions and knowledge to communicate effectively appropriate solutions to current customers.
- Ability to work in a broadly defined sales team, leveraging resources from across the company including Services, Sales Engineering, and Customer Support.
- Exemplary high standards of customer service, honesty, integrity and endeavor.
- Ability to use initiative in identifying, addressing and resolving day to day issues and challenges.
- Able to work appropriate hours to complete tasks meet goals and support required travel.
- Bachelors degree essential.
- Strong, mature, positive attitude and work ethic desired.
- Disciplined and ability to work independently.
- Strong communication and written skills.
- Ablilty to speak/read/write Japanese is mandatory. Knowledge of other Asian languages/cultures a plus.
In addition:
- Travel requirements: approx. 30-40%. Travel includes: regional training events, scope meetings, client meeting, reseller meetings and conferences,
Blackboard is an equal employment opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.
