Director, Japan

Location: Tokyo, Japan

WHO ARE WE?

At the Hong Kong Tourism Board, we are passionate about showcasing our city as a must-visit destination. Renowned for its iconic skyline, culinary wonders, and rich cultural tapestry where East meets West, Hong Kong is a bustling metropolis that offers extraordinary experiences to a diverse array of travelers. As we seize new opportunities to enhance our city's global appeal, we remain committed to promoting Hong Kong's unique charm and vibrancy, reinforcing its reputation as a world-class destination. We invite passionate talents to join our dynamic and fun team in achieving this vision.

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE AND LEARN?

Reporting to Deputy Executive Director located at Hong Kong Head Office (HO), this role is accountable for overseeing all the sales, marketing and public relations programs in Japan market (“the region”) to ensure that appropriate, cost-effective sales and marketing activities are conducted within the region to meet agreed objectives.

This Director will act as a "bridge" between HO and local staff, helping HO to understand the landscape, special circumstances, and needs of the designated market, and helping the local team to understand HO and global perspectives and imperatives.

The role is also a figurehead, being seen by external parties as the primary HKTB spokesperson and decision maker within the market, as well as the leader of a small staff team to provide directions and motivate for the desired results.

Below are the major responsibilities:

• Devise the overall strategy for Japan, lead and review the implementation of marketing, PR and trade initiatives and programs to achieve set business objectives, KPIs and optimal results
• Identify, establish and maintain strategic partnerships with different stakeholders, including but not limited to government, media, online portals, airlines and travel trade industry
• Act as the spokesperson in the region to establish long-term and effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to reinforce the tourism brand of Hong Kong and ensure the sustainable growth of visitor arrival
• Keep abreast of the latest market developments and provide continuous feedback on the operational environment, industry developments and competitive activities to senior management at HO for strategic planning
• Build a high-performance winning team, act as the role model of HKTB’s culture and align the team to embrace the HKTB Mission and Values
• Manage all business activities and staff (including Finance and Administration function) in the Japan office effectively to ensure consistency with business objectives and compliance with legal and policy requirements
• Manage all ad hoc projects assigned by the supervisor

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• University degree holder preferably in Travel/Tourism, Marketing or related discipline
• At least 15 years’ proven tourism industry experience, of which at least 5 years in senior management level
• Sound understanding of consumer and trade media in Japan. Knowledge of Hong Kong destination would be an added advantage
• Broad-based and in-depth knowledge of, and experience at a senior level across all areas of the marketing mix (advertising, PR, promotions, sales/distribution, research, product development; online marketing skills/experiences important)
• Proven ability to foster and maintain excellent relationships with external commercial partners
• A strong presenter, and a good spokesperson for Hong Kong in the designated markets. Analytical, strategic, with strong commercial sense; and results-oriented
• Organised with good planning and implementation skills
• Good people management ability, able to exercise a proactive leadership role and provide creative, visionary approaches to increase tourism to Hong Kong
• Proficient in both written and spoken English and Japanese
• Willing to travel

LOCATION:

• This position is located in our Tokyo office.
• We do not offer moving allowances from other cities.