Director, Japan Market Development

Solar Power Network (SPN) is an international renewable energy company headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with operations in Japan, North America and Europe. SPN develops, owns and manages renewable energy projects, primarily solar energy projects.

SPN is expanding its business development activities in Japan across commercial rooftop solar, offsite renewable energy, agrivoltaics and other renewable energy opportunities.

For this position, SPN is specifically seeking a bilingual Japanese-English professional currently based in Toronto or elsewhere in Canada who is interested in relocating to Japan to lead SPN's market development activities there.

The ideal candidate is someone who is comfortable operating professionally in both Japanese and English, understands both Japanese and North American business environments, and is interested in building their career in Japan while working directly with SPN's senior management team in Toronto.

Preference will be given to candidates who are actively planning or open to relocating to Japan. SPN may also consider an exceptional candidate who wishes to remain based in Toronto but is prepared to travel regularly to Japan, potentially approximately every second month.

The successful candidate will be responsible for validating market opportunities, originating new business, developing relationships and leading SPN's day-to-day market development activities in Japan.

• Lead SPN's market development and business development activities in Japan
• Validate SPN's market, regulatory, subsidy and commercial assumptions through direct local research and industry engagement
• Research and develop opportunities in commercial rooftop solar, land-based solar, agrivoltaics, offsite renewable energy and other related areas
• Identify and approach electricity retailers, aggregators, property owners, landowners, developers, customers and strategic partners
• Conduct initial outreach and cold calling, qualify opportunities and build SPN's Japan development pipeline
• Arrange, attend and lead Japanese-side business meetings and relationships, acting as a primary local representative of SPN and supporting bilingual communication where required
• Provide ongoing market intelligence on PPA pricing, project economics, development costs, competitors, regulations and market practices
• Support the evaluation, commercial development and execution of SPN's existing Japan projects and new business opportunities
• Coordinate with Japanese lawyers, accountants, consultants, EPC contractors and other professional service providers as required
• Support local corporate administration, invoices, payments, company records, project documentation and Tokyo office requirements
• Prepare clear recommendations, market updates and pipeline reporting for SPN's senior management in Canada
• Execute the Japan strategy and investment criteria established by SPN senior leadership

The role reports directly to SPN senior management in Canada, which retains responsibility for overall Japan strategy, investment decisions, business structure, major commercial decisions and capital commitments.

We are seeking a proactive, commercially minded professional who can operate independently as SPN's Director, Japan Market Development while working closely with an international management team.

The ideal candidate will have strong ties to Japan and an interest in relocating to Japan. They should be fully comfortable conducting business in both Japanese and English and working across Japanese and Canadian business cultures.

• Native-level Japanese language skills
• Strong business-level English communication skills, both written and spoken
• Approximately 7+ years of relevant experience in business development, market development, commercial development, project development or a related field
• Demonstrated ability to originate new business opportunities and develop senior-level commercial relationships
• Strong understanding of Japanese business practices
• Strong research, analytical, communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment and take ownership of responsibilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a small international team
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard business software
• Willingness to travel within Japan as required

• Previous professional or educational experience in Japan
• Previous professional experience in both Japan and Canada
• Experience in…