Strategic Account Director - Platinum Account | Banking
Hybrid | Based in Tokyo
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About the job
Japanese banking is being reshaped by AI, rising rates, regulation and global expansion. In this role, you’ll partner directly with senior executives at a major Japanese banking group to help define what comes next. This goes beyond the next deal. You’ll own the multi-year account strategy, lead transformation-scale opportunities and act as Global Account Manager, bringing together SAS expertise across Japan and around the world.
You’ll build on more than 40 years of relationships in Japanese financial services while helping customers navigate their next transformation. You’ll have access to global industry expertise, work directly with senior banking leaders and help make enterprise AI trusted, governed and actionable.
If you want to lead a global account, influence at C-suite level and help shape the future of banking in Japan, this is an opportunity to make your mark.
As a Strategic Account Director, you will:
- Own the multi-year account vision. Build and run a rolling account strategy that grows the bank's value from SAS and delivers sustainable revenue across software, cloud/subscription, renewal and services.
- Engage at the top. Build partnerships with the bank's CxOs on both the business agenda and the technical vision, and translate their agenda – risk and profitability, fraud and compliance, customer and digital strategy – into quantified business cases.
- Lead transformation-scale initiatives. Shape and close complex, multi-year, multi-division programs, including platform modernization and cloud migration.
- Lead globally as GAM. Support the bank HQ's governance of its overseas operations by directing SAS resources and experts across our global locations. Lead a virtual account team spanning sales, pre-sales, consulting, customer success, R&D, hosting and executive sponsors in Japan, AP and HQ – one plan, one voice to the customer.
- Grow services and partner value. Position SAS consulting and managed services with the Consulting team, and align with the system integrators and cloud partners that matter in the account.
- Bring a tailored engagement to the bank. Work with Account-Based Marketing to design executive programs that reflect the bank's own strategy and priorities.
- Own escalations. Manage high-risk issues inside SAS and drive them to closure, balancing customer and SAS interests.
- Drive adoption and expansion. Work with Customer Success to accelerate value realization and identify new use cases across the group.
- Develop the people around you. Coach and mentor account executives and the wider account team.
- Embrace curiosity, passion, authenticity and accountability. These are our values and influence everything we do.
Required qualifications
- 12+ years in enterprise sales, including 5+ years managing strategic banking or financial-services accounts
- Established relationships with senior executives (managing director / C-level) at Japanese megabanks or comparable financial groups
- A track record of closing complex, multi-year, multi-stakeholder deals, with ownership of an annual revenue target
- Strong understanding of how top-tier Japanese banks operate – their competitive landscape, regulatory agenda (AML, fraud, capital and liquidity) and transformation priorities. You are recognized as a credible voice in this industry
- Proven ability to lead through influence in an international matrix organization
- Native-level Japanese and professional English, spoken and written, sufficient to work daily with regional and global leadership
- Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
- Experience in AI/analytics, cloud transformation, consulting, managed services or strategic partnerships is highly valued.
Benefits highlights
- Cafeteria‑style benefits plan with annual points allocation
- 7‑hour standard workday
- Flexible working hours plus a Work@Anywhere policy
- Long‑term, employment‑oriented retirement benefits, including an optional Defined Contribution Pension Plan
- Company‑supported clubs & communities (sports, theatre, international groups, and more)
- In‑office perks — free massage chairs and complimentary drinks
- Training & development programs, including English language learning
- Extra time off — vacation leave, birthday leave, and paid annual leave
You are welcome here.
At SAS, it’s not about fitting into our culture – it’s about adding to it. We believe our people make the difference. Our inclusive workforce brings together unique talents and inspires teams to create amazing software that reflects the diversity of our users and customers.
Additional Information:
SAS only sends emails from verified “sas.com” email addresses and never asks for sensitive, personal information or money. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of any type of communication from, or on behalf of SAS, please contact Recruitingsupport@sas.com.
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