General Manager, Japan
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.
Finding the right General Manager for Special Group Japan was a uniquely complex challenge: we needed a rare blend of strategic leader, cultural architect, hands-on producer, and creative problem solver who could thrive in an entrepreneurial, high-performance environment. This person would need to inspire a small but mighty team, navigate the nuance of Japanese advertising and production, and deepen an already ambitious partnership with Uber, all while embodying optimism, empathy, and a solutions-first mindset. With no formal job description but a clear vision from leadership, this search demanded both precision and intuition to identify a candidate who could build something truly special from the ground up.
The Approach.
We began the search with detailed intake discussions to understand both the requirements of the role and the broader context of Special’s culture and goals. Conduit then initiated exploratory discussions with prospective leaders at companies where we believed relevant and complementary experience existed. We provided advisory services, help shape hiring process and oversaw scheduling logistics. Throughout the search we provided Special with front-line recruiting insights into the Japan talent landscape, along with practical advice on hiring approach and process. The result was a well-informed and focused search that ultimately identified the right candidate to lead Special Group Japan.
The Outcome.
We completed Japan General Manager search was completed in less than 90-days which was inline the initial expectations outlined by Special.