Japan Desk Coordinator - Cambridge, MA Job at Cambridge Innovation Center
Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) is seeking to hire a Japan Desk Coordinator to support the growing Japan Desk initiative based in Cambridge, MA. This person will work closely with the Senior Manager, Japan Desk to serve as a touchpoint for Japanese companies seeking to tap into CIC and Boston’s innovation ecosystem, as well as Boston-based companies looking to connect with Japanese partners with the support of the CIC Relationship Management team, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Consulate-General of Japan to Boston, and other Japanese partners.
ABOUT CIC
Founded in 1999, CIC’s mission is to improve the world by helping exceptional entrepreneurs innovate better and faster. We offer carefully curated working environments that combine private, secure offices alongside shared amenities in locations across Boston, Cambridge, Miami, Philadelphia, Providence, Rotterdam, St. Louis, Warsaw, and Tokyo and are growing into other cities, within the US and abroad. We currently serve 2000+ startups, growth companies, and branches of larger organizations, representing for-profit, mission-driven, and non-profit sectors across a wide array of industries. The spaces are purposefully designed and built for innovation, featuring tailored workspaces such as biotech and robotics laboratories, and bring together frequent, large gatherings of the best and brightest innovators and entrepreneurs.
CIC currently has over a million square feet of space under lease and is actively pursuing campuses in additional cities globally with plans to grow to 50 cities over the next 10 years. We pride ourselves on displaying a high degree of care and accuracy in everything that we do, and we work to ensure that our clients thrive every day that they are in our space. We believe that our ability to support world-changing entrepreneurs is only as good as the people who make up our teams, and as such we are looking for people who are interested in contributing to-and improving-the way we work.
We invite you to explore all our openings and learn more about our teams here.
ABOUT CIC JAPAN DESK
CIC’s mission is to make the world better by helping create powerful innovation ecosystems, and we believe a way to do this is by building connections between innovation ecosystems of different nations. CIC has chosen to focus on the particularly high-potential opportunity of deepening relations between Japanese and American innovators, given the size of both countries' economies as well as the significant cultural and language barriers that exist between them.
Accordingly, in 2016, CIC inaugurated the Japan Desk. The Japan Desk is CIC’s Boston-based touchpoint for Japanese and Japan-adjacent companies. In partnership with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Consulate General of Japan to Boston, among others, we support the work of Japanese CIC clients in the Greater Boston Area. This support includes making introductions to key players in the Boston innovation ecosystem, giving Japanese-language tours, providing briefing services for companies seeking to establish a presence in Massachusetts, and encouraging Boston-based startups to explore the Japan market.
ABOUT YOU
The Japan Desk Coordinator will support programs and activities at the Japan Desk aimed at helping Japanese startups explore opportunities for Boston expansion, and help Japanese corporations establish their local presence and connections in the Boston/Cambridge ecosystem. In addition, the Japan Desk Coordinator will contribute to our ongoing efforts to grow CIC Tokyo and build bridges between CIC Cambridge and CIC Tokyo communities. The Japan Desk Manager will report to the Senior Manager, Japan Desk at CIC Cambridge.
The ideal candidate will possess the following characteristics:
- Passion for startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship and excellent instincts as a connector/networker
- Strong relationship building and communication skills, with stakeholders ranging from solo entrepreneurs to government authorities to large corporations
- Desire to support expansion of Japanese companies to the Boston area
- Detail oriented and able to accurately and simultaneously track detailed reporting requirements from partners across multiple projects
- Capacity to manage multiple projects at the same time as well as facilitate and maintain smooth communication with multiple outside stakeholders
- Ability to self-direct and anticipate problems and needs
- Team-player attitude; we are looking for someone who is personable, happy to help others, and naturally drawn to a very busy, continually-evolving environment
- Reliable, trustworthy, and continually willing to learn
YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK
This person will be a member of the CIC staff and report to Jessy LeClair, Senior Manager, Japan Desk. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Support the administrative details of the ongoing JETRO Global Acceleration Hub Program e.g., scheduling mentoring sessions, conducting market research, writing articles on the Boston innovation ecosystem
- Assist with administrative details of acceleration programs in partnership with JETRO and other government offices, including tracking attendance, tracking completion of homework and other assignments, helping with logistics for in-person programming (e.g., ordering food, setting up event spaces, reserving transportation, etc)
- Draft feedback surveys and generate reports documenting the outcomes of programs for our Japanese government partners
- Bridge Japanese companies’ needs to CIC and affiliate organizations (i.e. Venture Café, Captains of Innovation) and serve as an ambassador for the CIC brand and product
- Contribute to organizing events ranging from casual meetups to conferences in collaboration with the Japanese Consulate and with other external partners both in Cambridge/Boston and in Japan
- Serve as a face for the Japan Desk team at programs and events organized by the team
YOU HAVE
- At least 1 year of professional experience, preferably experience working with Japanese companies or government agencies
- Strong preference of a bachelor's degree or significant relevant experience
- Willingness to travel as needed
- Intermediate to advanced Japanese ability and fluent in English. Ideally able to understand spoken business Japanese and able to communicate conversationally
- Due to the time difference between Japan/USA and because this role is based in Cambridge, MA, this role will require regularly (i.e., 3-4 days per week) working outside of normal working hours (e.g. early morning and late evening) to accommodate Japanese partners
If you don't meet all the requirements or qualifications but bring some other unique skills and experience that would be valuable in this role, please apply and highlight those attributes for us in your cover letter.
OUR OFFER
- Starting compensation is commensurate with experience.
- Annual raises based primarily on performance.
- 100% company-paid premium healthcare and dental benefits.
- 100% company-paid long- and short-term disability, and life insurance.
- 401k (must be 21+).
- Three weeks vacation from the start (more with seniority), plus thirteen paid holidays.
ATTRACTIONS OF THE JOB
In addition to helping our clients achieve great things, we work to ensure that our employees are healthy and supported. Some of the benefits of being here include:
- Fun people in a dynamic space. We pride ourselves on finding driven and bright collaborators who are eager to lend their own unique skills to the team, as well as to our inspiring clientele. The number one reason CICers say they like working here is because of their colleagues!
- Personal growth. This is a great opportunity to learn and develop skills within the epicenter of the innovation community at a growing company.
- Access to a nursing room, secure bicycle parking, a maker space, a gym, shower rooms with towels, and discounted services and memberships on resources to make your life happier/healthier such as gym memberships, tech and design support, hotel stays, and other fantastic options.
- Central location. CIC Cambridge is a stone’s throw from the Kendall Square MBTA Red Line stop. CIC Boston is centrally located in downtown Boston and is within walking distance to the Blue, Green, Orange, and Red line.
CIC is committed to building teams that reflect the fabric of the cities we support. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, Veteran status, or any other legally protected status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation please let us know.
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