Strategic Customer Marketing Lead, Japan

A Career at HARMAN

As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move, HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation, inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together, you’ll discover that at HARMAN you can grow, make a difference and be proud of the work you do every day.

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Automotive

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Automotive, we give you the keys to fast-track your career.

• Engineer audio systems and integrated technology platforms that augment the driving experience
• Combine ingenuity, in-depth research, and a spirit of collaboration with design and engineering excellence
• Advance in-vehicle infotainment, safety, efficiency, and enjoyment

About the Role

This role leads Japan marketing strategy and execution, translating global brand, product, and portfolio priorities into impactful, locally relevant programs for OEM customers, employees, and stakeholders. The Strategic Customer Marketing lead serves as the primary marketing authority for Japan, providing market insights that shape global strategy while driving cross-functional alignment and high-quality execution across communications, sales enablement, and employee branding. The role also manages agency partners and resources to deliver consistent, on-brand results that advance HARMAN’s business and talent objectives in Japan.

Your Team

Reporting to the Executive Director, Automotive Strategic Customer Marketing, this role manages one (1) direct report. Major stakeholders include the Japan Country Leader, Automotive SBU leadership, Customer Group Management, Human Resource, Talent Acquisition team and Central Marketing Services.

What You Will Do

• Own and lead Japan market marketing strategy and execution, ensuring alignment with global and regional priorities while addressing local OEM customer needs.
• Translate global brand, portfolio, and product strategies into compelling, localized value propositions, messaging, and market-facing materials for OEM customers and executives.
• Provide strategic Japan market insights—customer expectations, competitive landscape, and trends—to inform global marketing, product positioning, and go-to-market decisions.
• Lead market-facing initiatives not covered by global or regional teams, serving as the primary marketing authority for Japan-specific programs and engagements.
• Partner with senior stakeholders across Global Marketing, Communications, Talent Acquisition, Sales, and Product to ensure consistent messaging, clear ownership, and effective cross-functional execution.
• Oversee localization and quality of all sales enablement, social, marketing, and communication materials, ensuring accuracy, brand integrity, and timely delivery.
• Lead internal and external communications execution for Japan, in partnership with the Corporate and Division Communications team, including product launches, corporate announcements, OEM engagements, and leadership messaging.
• Drive employee branding strategy for Japan in partnership with HR and Talent Acquisition, ensuring alignment with global direction while addressing local workforce priorities.
• Manage and optimize agency partners (creative, PR, social), budgets, and timelines to deliver high-impact, locally relevant campaigns and content.

What You Need

• 10+ years of experience in marketing within automotive, technology, or related B2B industries
• Experience collaborating with OEM customers or within OEM supplier organizations
• Strong capability in content creation, messaging development, and communication planning
• Experience working with local agencies and managing external vendors
• Business-level Japanese and English, written and verbal
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field

What is Nice to Have

• Experience in employee branding or corporate communications
• Knowledge of LinkedIn Japan and other Japan SNS platforms
• Experience in global or matrixed organizations
• Familiarity with branded audio or automotive technology marketing

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 20%, domestic and international travel
• Be willing to work in Tokyo office (Ariake)

What We Offer

• We offer an authentic diverse, equal, and inclusive work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development in a truly global organization.
• You will work on products and services that touch people’s lives and will change the industrial standards, being a part of the transformations in our industry.
• Our work environments are fast paced, challenging, empowering, collaborative, flexible and exciting.
• We offer our own HARMAN University with regular updates on the new technologies and trends by utilizing various sessions organized by Self Learning and Development Trainings to help grow and advance talent.
• We offer competitive compensation/benefit programs and recognition programs.

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HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.