Seeking a Director of Finance & Administration to lead and strengthen the corporate management functions of our U.S. operations. This role serves as a critical bridge between the U.S. entity and headquarters in Japan, ensuring financial discipline, governance, and organizational alignment.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with strong expertise in finance and administration, capable of navigating cross-cultural dynamics and building a robust management infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Management & Treasury
Oversee all financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting
Manage cash flow and liquidity, including addressing funding-related challenges
Develop and implement effective cash management strategies
Collaborate with headquarters on financial planning and capital allocation
Governance & Internal Controls
Establish and enhance internal control frameworks
Strengthen corporate governance across the U.S. entity
Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and internal policies
Improve financial transparency and reporting accuracy
Organizational Leadership
Lead and develop the administrative team (including IT/Admin Manager and part-time staff)
Provide leadership and oversight to expatriate employees (engineering and sales functions)
Address organizational challenges, including compensation expectations and internal conflicts
Build a structured and accountable management environment
Headquarters Collaboration (Critical)
Act as the primary liaison between Japan headquarters and U.S. operations
Translate headquarters’ strategies into actionable initiatives locally
Align U.S. operations with global direction and priorities
Manage and resolve cross-border communication gaps and friction
HR & Administration
Oversee HR policies, labor relations, and compliance
Develop and implement employee handbooks and workplace policies
Manage overall administrative functions including IT and general affairs
Build scalable and sustainable corporate infrastructure
Current Challenges
Misalignment and friction between headquarters and U.S. operations
Insufficient governance and control over expatriate staff
Gaps in financial management, particularly in cash and funding strategy
Limited depth in administrative and management functions
Qualifications
Required
Strong background in Finance (FP&A, accounting, treasury, or related fields)
Experience in corporate governance and internal controls
Proven leadership experience managing administrative or cross-functional teams
Experience working in U.S. business environments
Hands-on experience managing accounting operations using QuickBooks (or similar systems)
Fluency in both Japanese and English (verbal and written) is required
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
Preferred
Experience in Japanese companies or cross-border (U.S.–Japan) environments
Combined experience in Finance and Administration (including HR)
Understanding of cultural and decision-making differences between Japan and the U.S.
Candidate Profile
Mid-career to senior-level professional (typically 15+ years of experience)
Hands-on, execution-oriented leader
Strong communicator with the ability to mediate across cultures
Capable of balancing governance, diplomacy, and business needs
Comfortable operating in a developing organizational structure
Compensation
Salary Range: $150,000 – $200,000
Benefits: Competitive and aligned with market standards