Chief of Staff

Do you want to contribute to global projects and be at the centre of innovation? Join CIC in Tokyo to help strengthen Japan’s role in the global innovation ecosystem, working alongside international and local leaders. ABOUT CIC CIC is a rapidly growing innovation ecosystem and competitiveness advisory firm with 40 employees and expanding. With two main divisions—Global Advisory and Asia Advisory—we provide strategic guidance to governments, corporations, and organizations seeking to enhance their innovation capabilities and global competitiveness. ABOUT CIC TOKYO CIC Tokyo is located in Minato‑ku, opened in October 2020, occupies about 6,000 square metres on the 15th and 16th floors of the Toranomon Hills Business Tower, and can house more than 250 companies. It serves companies aiming to grow and communities seeking to accelerate business growth and global expansion. Its influence in the startup and innovation scene attracts visits from VIPs such as Prime Minister Kishida and Governor Koike. Learn more about us here. YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK The Chief of Staff will act as a strategic partner and right-hand to the Chief Innovation Officer. They will ensure smooth execution of priorities, facilitate efficient cross‑functional coordination, and align initiatives with organisational goals. This role requires a highly organised, analytical, and proactive leader who thrives in a dynamic environment. Key Responsibilities Strategic Planning & Execution Support the CINO in overseeing and tracking financial performance and KPIs of each advisory team within the Global and Asia divisions. Monitor and analyse financial reports, budgets and operational metrics to provide strategic insights and drive data‑informed decision‑making. Work closely with the IES leadership team to track progress on strategic initiatives and identify areas for improvement. Board & Executive Communications Prepare board presentations, ensuring accurate data collection and clear articulation of key insights. Manage the process of gathering and consolidating information from various departments to create comprehensive reports for senior stakeholders. Serve as a key contact for board‑related matters and executive‑level communications. Global Strategy & Innovation Initiatives Support the CINO in shaping and executing the firm’s global innovation strategy, ensuring alignment with emerging trends and industry best practices. Conduct research to identify key global events, conferences and forums for strategic exposure and knowledge diffusion. Facilitate participation in high‑impact innovation summits, securing speaking engagements and thought leadership opportunities for the firm. Communications & Thought Leadership Create content and presentations for speaking engagements and client engagement as needed. Assist in crafting and implementing the firm’s innovation communication and diffusion strategy. Work with marketing and external partners to amplify the firm’s presence through publications, articles and media engagements. Support content development for thought leadership initiatives, ensuring consistency and strategic alignment. Cross‑functional Coordination & Liaison Act as a bridge between the CINO and corporate services teams, including finance, accounting, marketing, HR and operations. May oversee a small team or project‑based contributors depending on initiative scope. Streamline internal communication, ensuring that strategic priorities and organisational objectives are effectively conveyed. Oversee special projects, process improvements and internal initiatives that support operational efficiency and organisational growth. ABOUT YOU 10+ years of progressive experience in strategy, operations or advisory, ideally with exposure to both Japanese and global business environments. Strong financial acumen and experience in performance tracking and business analytics. Proven ability to manage executive‑level communication and high‑impact presentations. Experience in global strategy, innovation ecosystems and business development is highly desirable. Exceptional organisational, problem‑solving and stakeholder management skills. Strong written and verbal communication abilities, with experience in thought leadership and public relations preferred. Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously. Location: Preferably based in Tokyo or open to relocation to Tokyo. OUR OFFER Opportunity to work at the forefront of innovation and global competitiveness. Direct exposure to executive decision‑making and strategic initiatives. A dynamic, mission‑driven team committed to making a global impact. Competitive compensation, benefits and professional growth opportunities. This role is based at CIC’s Tokyo office with a hybrid work model (3 days in‑office, 2 days remote). If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for innovation and operational excellence, we invite you to apply for this exciting role. CIC welcomes all candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status or disability. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr