[Remote] Head of Partnerships, Japan at Substack

Tokyo, Japan

Substack Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Media, Publishing, TechnologyIndustries

Requirements

  • 7+ years of experience as a leader in creator partnerships, talent development, business development or editorial
  • Proven success leading and scaling teams in fast-paced environments with high agency and ownership
  • Deep empathy for creators and an understanding of the challenges and opportunities they face when building independent careers
  • A robust network across the creator economy—including relationships with top creators, talent agencies, production companies, digital media leaders and journalists
  • A demonstrable and exceptional understanding of the Japanese ‘creator’ market
  • Strong track record of business growth as well as nurturing creative talent across all mediums
  • Strategic thinker comfortable working with big political names as well as smaller less well known creators
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively often on a public stage (bonus)

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute a strategy for onboarding influential creators, helping them build successful subscription businesses and vibrant communities on Substack (with the help of Substack’s Head of International)
  • Own key growth metrics around creator acquisition, retention, revenue, and engagement—aligning impact with Substack’s broader business goals
  • Build and deepen relationships with creators, talent managers, studios, agencies, tastemakers to the press to expand Substack’s presence in the cultural ecosystem
  • Champion Japanese creators internally by synthesizing their needs, motivations, and ambitions into product, support, and partnership opportunities
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Data, Marketing, and Communications to evolve the Japanese creator experience and improve outreach and feature adoption
  • Represent Substack externally—on stage, in the press, and in key industry rooms—positioning the company as the premier platform for independent creative work
  • Stay ahead of creator economy trends, emerging formats, and shifting audience behaviors to keep Substack on the leading edge in Japan
  • Build awareness of the Substack brand in Japan and onboard the country’s most exciting independent talent

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Business DevelopmentPartnershipsCreator OnboardingGrowth StrategyRelationship ManagementPublic SpeakingCross-Functional CollaborationMetrics OwnershipStrategic Thinking

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this role remote or based in an office?

The role is remote and based in Tokyo.

What experience is required for the Head of Partnerships role?

Candidates need 7+ years of experience as a leader in creator partnerships, talent development, business development or editorial, proven success leading and scaling teams in fast-paced environments, deep empathy for creators, a robust network in the creator economy, and exceptional understanding of the Japanese creator market.

What is the salary for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What does the team structure look like for this role?

You will work alongside Substack’s Head of International to lead and scale the Japanese Substack business.

What makes a strong candidate for this Head of Partnerships position?

A strong candidate is an exceptional leader with a strong track record of business growth, nurturing creative talent, strategic thinking, comfort working with political names and smaller creators, plus knowledge of events and public speaking as a bonus.

Substack

Digital publishing platform for subscription-based content

About Substack

Substack is a digital publishing platform that connects writers and readers. It allows creators, such as authors, journalists, and chefs, to share their work through newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and videos. Creators can set their own subscription fees, ranging from $5 to $27 per month, enabling them to earn money directly from their content without relying on traditional publishing or advertising. Substack handles administrative tasks, billing, and technical support, allowing creators to focus on their writing. The platform also helps creators grow their audience, as a significant portion of new subscriptions comes from within the Substack network. Substack earns revenue by taking a percentage of the subscription fees, aligning its success with that of its creators. The goal of Substack is to empower creators to monetize their work while providing the necessary tools for managing and expanding their subscriber base.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2017Year Founded
$97.5MTotal Funding
ANGELCompany Stage
Consumer Software, EntertainmentIndustries
1,001-5,000Employees

Risks

Enterprise offering may lead to competition with established solutions, straining resources.
Elon Musk's acquisition interest could cause market speculation and investor instability.
Integration with Polymarket may expose Substack to reputational risks and regulatory scrutiny.

Differentiation

Substack empowers creators with a subscription-based model, bypassing traditional revenue streams.
The platform offers built-in marketing, aiding creators in growing their subscriber base.
Substack's tools support diverse content, including newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and videos.

Upsides

Spotify integration broadens podcasters' reach, potentially boosting subscribers and revenue.
Mobile editor launch enhances accessibility, increasing content output and engagement.
Enterprise offering partnership with The Free Press opens new revenue streams for Substack.

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