Business Development & Strategic Partnerships Lead, Japan

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building the Waymo Driver—The World's Most Experienced Driver™—to improve access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. The Waymo Driver powers Waymo’s fully autonomous ride-hail service and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over ten million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving over 100 million miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 15+ U.S. states.

The Business Development and Partnerships team helps plan Waymo's dynamic future and drive the company's go-to-market strategy. We work cross-functionally and leverage quantitative and qualitative analysis to build forward-looking partnerships that deliver on Waymo's strategic business objectives. As a member of this entrepreneurial and results-oriented team, you will have a significant impact on defining, developing and executing critical services that enable Waymo's commercial deployment.

In this hybrid role, you will report to a Senior Director, Head of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships

 

You will:

• Develop and execute on a strategic partnerships strategy and plan to ensure successful go-to-market in Japan
• Identify, create, negotiate and implement local strategic partnerships across the AV partnerships ecosystem, including operations and fleet partners, city and transit organizations, airports and other partners that support go-to-market, education/awareness, and growth
• Work closely with Waymo Policy & Government Affairs and Legal teams to help influence national and local regulatory frameworks to enable testing and commercial deployment
• Can effectively represent Waymo in high stake external meetings with the government and strategic partners
• Act as a primary bridge between the Japan-based team and global teams at Waymo HQ, coordinating closely with partnerships efforts managed centrally and serving as a key voice representing local partnership interests, trends, and nuances.  Help Waymo achieve long term success in Japan with the most thoughtful approach - influence global thinking with a deep understanding of local nuances. 
• Collaborate with teams across time zones to define strategy, solve complex problems, execute business initiatives, create work plans, lead analyses, develop and communicate final recommendations to move partnerships forward and ensure their ongoing success

You have:

• 8+ years of work experience, including 5+ years in business development or strategic partnerships in the technology, transportation and/or mobility sector
• Full business proficiency in both Japanese and English language (verbal and written) and the ability to cross-contextualize and communicate effectively across both Japanese and US cultures and styles
• Experience structuring and negotiating strategic partnership agreements 
• Experience leading and influencing a cross-functional team, particularly a team that includes policy, operations, product, marketing and finance stakeholders
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience

We prefer:

• Deep understanding of the autonomous vehicle, ride hailing or broader mobility industries
• Deep understanding of the Japanese business landscape, culture, and regulatory environment (especially in mobility or technology)
• Experience working in both US and Japanese companies
• Direct experience with international market entry, product launches, or scaling a new business

Travel Requirements:

• Travel will be required, around 10-20% of time

((Remote jobs only - Please note that Waymo may not be able to employ remotely in all locations. Please speak with your recruiter about your preferred location for remote work when you begin the interview process.))