In a nutshell:

We are seeking a Japanese/English bilingual Marketing & Community Specialist to join the D4V (Design for Ventures) Team in Tokyo.

As a Marketing & Community Specialist, you will act as an ambassador of D4V towards the media, the venture community, and the general public in Japan and beyond. You will interface with multiple stakeholders (e.g. D4V’s General Partners, Limited Partners, Portfolio Companies, IDEO Designers) and help tell stories, plan events, and bring communities together to elevate D4V’s mission and purpose. 

Note: This is a role with D4V, working directly with the D4V Team and selected IDEO members. D4V and IDEO are co-located in Omotesando. 

Learn more about D4V at d4v.com

Why D4V?

D4V (Design for Ventures) is a Tokyo-based early-stage venture capital firm that invests in disruptive, consumer and enterprise technology startups. Partnering with the global design company IDEO, D4V provides both hands-on assistance and coaching to help startups create value via human-centered customer experiences and interactions.

We help startups deliver not only financial returns but also positive impact on the world. Our work aims to support and strengthen the culture of entrepreneurship in Japan and beyond, accelerating the growth of a more entrepreneurial economy.

Once here you will:

Marketing & Communications 

• Drive and contribute to the process of setting the marketing strategy and plan to raise visibility, awareness and preference for D4V.
• Actively build and maintain relationships with media organizations and journalists, field media inquiries and curate a database of contacts.
• Oversee media opportunities and speaking engagements and work with the D4V team on messaging and presentations.
• Manage D4V’s own Blog and D4V’s social media presence across all channels (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc).
• Actively monitor the Venture Capital and startups market for relevant developments and establish market awareness.
• Curate a bank of assets that showcase D4V content, services, methods and culture and actively share these with colleagues, partners and media.
• Work closely with IDEO marketing colleagues in Tokyo and other parts of the world to leverage news, stories of IDEO’s work and thought leadership where appropriate.
• Advise D4V’s portfolio companies on PR strategy for critical milestones (e.g. fundraising announcements, product launches, etc)

Community & Events 

• Build and maintain an active community for portfolio companies, to learn from and guide one other.
• Foster external relations through a portfolio of activities including events, seminars, know-hows, exhibitions, tours, and media relations.
• Collaborate with the D4V team to plan and execute the annual Limited Partners meeting, and bi-annual leadership offsites
• Be proactive and responsive to the needs of D4V’s General Partners, Limited Partners, and Portfolio companies.
• Coach D4V and IDEO teams and people on messaging and media opportunities.
• Nurture a community of designers who aspire to become a “first designer” at a startup.

To learn more about D4V:

• Read about D4V's mission and origin story in this conversation between founders Tom Kelley and Mak Takano
• Read how D4V supports its portfolio companies through design
• Read about D4V’s “Startup First Designer Program”
• Read our blog to stay up to date on all things D4V

Relevant experience and mindset:

• Excellent native-level Japanese and English verbal and written skills.
• Experience working in a creative environment in PR and/or Marcom (Marketing & Communications). Venture-related experience is a plus.
• At least 3 years of working experience, primarily with businesses located in Japan.
• Experience working with a variety of media from online, to print, to broadcast.
• Proven track record using social media and web-based channels as marketing tools.
• Excellent writing skills and articulate, accurate, and timely communication to build and sustain momentum.
• Ability to keep an eye on the big picture while managing the details.
• A passion for entrepreneurship, Japan’s venture ecosystem, marketing and design.
• Compelling interpersonal, networking, communication, and presentation skills.
• Be extremely detail-oriented, and have excellent follow-through, devoted to seeing tasks complete.
• Self-directed toward excellent work outcomes, comfort level in ambiguous, non-rules based environments.
• Great flexibility, and an openness to new ideas. Comfort level with having partners unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable with our process and way of thinking.
• Knowledge of Mac platform, well versed in all Google apps, Keynote, and very comfortable using the Internet as a research tool
• Ability to travel occasionally.
• Excellent discretion, demonstrating sound judgment in dealing with confidential dialogues and information.

Pop Quiz:

Please include your answers to the following questions in your cover letter in Japanese:

1. If you were to help coordinate/write the next blog post for D4V, what would you write about?
2. If you were to invite a guest speaker to inspire D4V's Portfolio Companies, who would it be and why?
3. If you were to change one thing about D4V’s current website, what would it be and why?

Application instructions:

Please submit your resume, cover letter (with the answers to the Pop Quiz) and relevant work samples (portfolio of your work) in English (except for the answers to your Pop Quiz).