Business Development Representative

OpenAI OpenAI · AI Frontier · Tokyo, Japan · Go To Market

This role is for a senior Business Development Representative focused on building and scaling OpenAI's presence in the Japan market for strategic and large enterprise clients, DNB, and startups. The BDR will generate pipeline through outbound efforts, partner with Account Directors, lead discovery, and contribute to AI-enabled GTM workflows. The role requires strong Japanese and English communication skills, a track record in B2B SaaS sales development, and comfort with technical buyers. It serves as a launchpad for future sellers at OpenAI, offering exposure to enterprise sales, product, and customer strategy.

What you'd actually do

  1. Run high-quality outbound motions tailored to Japan Strategic & Large Enterprise, DNB and Startup accounts
  2. Turn product usage, inbound interest, pilot activity, and outbound efforts into qualified pipeline
  3. Partner with Account Directors on account strategy, multi-threading, and deal progression
  4. Lead high-quality discovery to uncover business priorities, map stakeholders, and assess enterprise readiness
  5. Contribute to pipeline reviews by sharing outbound activity, account insights, and early competitive signals

Skills

Required

  • Native or near-native Japanese
  • Business-level English
  • Strong track record in B2B SaaS, technology sales development, startup sales, or similar roles
  • Proven ability to generate pipeline through outbound prospecting and inbound qualification
  • Strong discovery skills, follow-up discipline, and stakeholder mapping ability
  • Comfortable speaking with technical buyers
  • High ownership, strong judgment
  • Comfort operating in an ambiguous and fast-moving environment

Nice to have

  • 7-10 years of total work experience
  • 3-5+ years of relevant experience in SDR, BDR, inside sales, startup sales, enterprise/commercial AD, or similar GTM roles
  • Some closing or full-cycle sales experience is strongly preferred
  • Can build trust quickly with Japanese customers
  • Experience in startup or high-growth environments selling into regulated or complex industries (Financial Services, Life Sciences, Retail)
  • Some closing or full-cycle sales experience and a track record of consistently hitting and exceeding ambitious targets
  • Experience selling API, developer tools, cloud, data, security, or other technical products
  • Strong hands-on experience using AI, with a deep interest in the landscape and the ability to translate OpenAI products into clear, tangible business value for customers
  • You’re comfortable with ambiguity, moving quickly, and operating well with a high degree of ownership
  • Can act as a strong bridge between Japan market needs and HQ

What the JD emphasized

  • senior
  • high-agency
  • not a junior execution role
  • front-line role
  • shape the motion
  • launchpad for future sellers
  • highly strategic position
  • meaningful exposure
  • build core skills
  • deep understanding
  • 7-10 years of total work experience
  • 3-5+ years of relevant experience
  • Some closing or full-cycle sales experience is strongly preferred
  • 7–6+ years of total work experience
  • motivated to grow into world-class enterprise sellers
  • progression is based on performance
  • complex enterprise opportunities
  • accelerated paths to break into sales
  • build a long-term career
  • Native or near-native Japanese
  • strong business communication skills
  • Business-level English
  • Strong track record in B2B SaaS, technology sales development, startup sales, or similar roles
  • Proven ability to generate pipeline through outbound prospecting and inbound qualification
  • Strong discovery skills, follow-up discipline, and stakeholder mapping ability
  • Comfortable speaking with technical buyers
  • High ownership, strong judgment
  • comfort operating in an ambiguous and fast-moving environment
  • Experience in startup or high-growth environments selling into regulated or complex industries
  • track record of consistently hitting and exceeding ambitious targets
  • Experience selling API, developer tools, cloud, data, security, or other technical products
  • Strong hands-on experience using AI
  • deep interest in the landscape
  • translate OpenAI products into clear, tangible business value
  • comfortable with ambiguity, moving quickly
  • operating well with a high degree of ownership
  • act as a strong bridge