Paris Saint-Germain
Japan Launch
In close partnership with Special Group, we’ve successfully placed a Japan General Manager who brings optimism, creative problem-solving, and hands-on leadership to build the Japan office from the ground up. From reimagining production constraints to inspiring a tight-knit team and deepening key partnerships like Uber, this leader is ready to shape bold ideas into reality and set a new standard for what’s possible in Tokyo.
The Challenge.
This was a significant challenge. Japan's talent pool is notoriously small for bilingual professionals, even smaller for those specializing in the niche field of international sports management, and minuscule for someone willing to take such a role without some kind of entity and support on the ground. Needless to say, finding someone with the right combination of language skills, industry experience, cultural sensitivity, and risk appetite was a tall order.
The Approach.
We began by mapping key sports leagues, teams, and agencies, recognizing the limited talent pool. This allowed us to identify individuals with any international experience, whether working for Japanese teams trying to attract international fans, or for global sports organizations.
We then engaged with these potential candidates, thoroughly evaluating their experience and focusing on its direct relevance to PSG's needs.
Finally, we shortlisted candidates who not only met the role criteria but also understood and accepted the unique situation: working remotely, initially as a self-contracted employee, for a company without a physical presence in Japan.
The Outcome.
After a year-long search, we found the perfect candidate. She not only met all requirements but also brought valuable diversity as a female professional in a male-dominated industry.
The subsequent four-month negotiation process between PSG and the candidate, which we successfully navigated, ultimately sealed the deal. What’s more, this candidate continues to build PSG’s offering across Asia, with an expanded remit that now also includes South Korea.