Program Manager (Japanese-fluent)

Role Summary - Program Manager Fluent in Japanese

We are seeking a Program Manager for a role that is a hybrid role - both strategic and operational -to support our client, Microsoft. This resource will be responsible for end-to-end skilling strategy, program execution, stakeholder management, and Japan-specific localization across Microsoft's strategic Global Partners.

This role spans global skilling leadership, program and event management, Japan market liaison, and cross-time-zone execution, supporting multi-year Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAAs) with aggressive certification and readiness targets. The role operates without dedicated administrative or PM support for key areas and serves as the primary point of contact for a wide range of Microsoft internal teams, partner stakeholders and Japan-based suppliers.

Key Responsibilities

Global Skilling Leadership

• Lead global skilling strategy for a major Japanese partner across Japan and ROW.
• Advise partner and Microsoft leaders, aligning skilling plans to PBPs and SAA objectives.
• Manage a complex multientity partner structure with no single point of contact.
• Deliver skilling plans, executiveready materials, and readiness updates.
• Collaborate with PDMs/SPDMs to support designations, specializations, and readiness needs.

Stakeholder & Governance Management

• Maintain a structured ROB across Japan and ROW time zones.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for skilling inquiries.
• Partner with global and Japanbased stakeholders, including Alliance leadership.
• Support large, highvisibility skilling motions and 5,000+ attendee events.

Events & Certification Management

• Oversee planning and execution of private, surge, and certification events globally.
• Coordinate with DEPR/WWL delivery teams.
• Manage certification voucher processes, tracking, and KPI reporting.

Budget Ownership

• Manage partnerspecific skilling budgets and IO setup.
• Track spend, forecast utilization, and report budget status.

Global Program Management

• Act as primary PoC for a major Japanbased partner.
• Execute large, multiweek, multitimezone surge events.
• Support SAA execution and maintain event trackers.

JapanFocused Event Liaison

• Serve as liaison between global and Japanbased stakeholders for event requirements.
• Provide feedback, approvals, and outofhours support aligned to Japan expectations.

Localization & Playbook Management

• Lead Japanese localization of a 70+ page skilling playbook.
• Manage translation suppliers, SOWs, and POs.
• Ensure quality and alignment with Microsoft standards.

Japan Partner Team (EPS) Collaboration

• Partner with EPS leadership to communicate course availability and develop materials.
• Respond to PDM inquiries and act as an escalation resource.

Content Governance

• Advise on localization priorities and Japanspecific readiness needs.
• Act as a subjectmatter advisor for Japanese localization across skilling content teams.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Global skilling strategy & complex stakeholder management
• Largescale, multi-timezone program & event management
• Japan market expertise and cultural fluency
• Budget ownership and financial oversight
• Executive communication, presentation, and crossfunctional coordination
• Highvolume prioritization, triage, and independent selfmanagement
• Risk, dependency, and milestone management across regions
• Partner engagement and relationship building with global & regional stakeholders
• KPI tracking, data interpretation, and reporting proficiency (Excel, Power BI)
• Operational excellence in complex, matrixed environments; strong ownership mindset

Working Conditions

• Extensive collaboration across all key time zones in the world
• Regular off-hours availability to support Japan-based initiatives
• High-stakes, time-sensitive deliverables tied to executive and partner commitments

#LI-LJ1

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