Enterprise technology recruitment in Japan
Trusted in Japan.
Built on partnership.
Shinka Talent builds Japan teams for foreign enterprise technology vendors, from the first hire to an established team. We recruit country managers, sales directors, alliances and channel leaders, solutions engineers and customer success staff, in cybersecurity, data platforms, AI software, enterprise applications and cloud infrastructure software. Founder Grant Habgood has recruited in Japan’s technology market since 2006.
Technology Teams
The roles we recruit
Country managers
There is no standard profile. We start with what the business needs from its leader.
→Sales directors
We look for proof of how deals were won and for credibility with Japanese executives.
→Alliances and channel leaders
The right profile depends on which partners your plan relies on.
→Solutions engineers and customer success
Clients now expect a sales mindset from their engineers, and advisory skills from their customer success teams.
→Sectors
Cybersecurity
AI-driven products and new regulation are reshaping demand.
→Data platforms
AI is driving demand for the data infrastructure underneath it.
→AI software
Foreign AI vendors are arriving quickly, many through a Japanese partner first.
→Enterprise applications
Legacy replacement, regulatory change and AI are driving demand.
→Entering Japan
Most enterprise technology vendors enter Japan through partners before they have anyone on the ground, and the first hires decide whether that works. Our market entry guides cover the first hires, employer of record arrangements, the Business Manager visa and how Japan’s enterprise technology channel works.
Track record
Grant has worked in Japan’s technology recruitment market since 2006.
He built and led a recruitment business of more than 70 consultants, with full P&L responsibility.
He has personally delivered over ¥300 million in placement revenue.
“He understands the market well in terms of the competitor landscape and the nuances of hiring in Japan.”
- Hiring manager, Imation Japan
“He never pushes you to positions you are not willing to apply for for the sake of his deals.”
- Solutions Architect, Japan
Two decades in Japan’s technology market.
AI-enabled, human-led.
Grant Habgood lived in Japan for sixteen years and works in English and Japanese. He led a 70-consultant business in Tokyo before founding Shinka Talent to return to hands-on search. Shinka Talent is AI-enabled and human-led.
How we work
Understand the structure
Every search starts with an intake call on your Japan go-to-market: your partners across SIers, distributors and resellers, and who your competitors sell through.
Combine knowledge with reach
Two decades of market knowledge, combined with AI-enabled sourcing, reaches candidates who are not actively looking.
Deliver a calibrated shortlist
You get a smaller, better-calibrated shortlist and a process that reflects well on your brand.
Every search also gets its own confidential, branded search page rather than a job advert. It sets out the role scope, compensation and the market context for the hire, which gives candidates a reason to engage before they send a CV.
We work on a retained or contingent basis, and also provide contract resourcing, market insight and talent pipelining.
Common questions.
What does Shinka Talent do?
Shinka Talent builds Japan teams for foreign enterprise technology vendors, from the country manager to sales, channel and technical hires.
Do you work on a retained or contingent basis?
We work on both. Retained searches run on a commencement fee model, with priority delivery and shared accountability. Contingent searches are paid only when a hire is made.
Do candidates need to speak English?
Most of our roles require business-level English, because our clients are foreign technology companies. We weigh selling ability in Japanese at least as heavily.
Contact Us
It all starts with a conversation. Write to us directly, or share your details and we will be in touch.
Thank you
Your details have reached us. Grant will be in touch.