Compliance Manager

Position Overview

This role is essential in strengthening and maintaining the company’s compliance framework within Japan. Reporting to the Japan Compliance Officer, the position focuses on executing, overseeing, and refining compliance processes to ensure they meet both international standards and local requirements. The successful candidate will act as a key advisor to business teams, delivering practical support in a complex regulatory landscape. Strong decision-making, clear communication, and independent working ability are critical for success.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and regularly update the local compliance program to align with global policies and regional expectations.
• Contribute to risk evaluations, ongoing monitoring efforts, and support internal reviews or investigations as needed.
• Deliver practical compliance advice to sales, marketing, and other functional groups, promoting full adherence to relevant laws and internal policies.
• Develop and deliver training sessions, internal communications, and initiatives to raise compliance awareness across the organization.
• Act as the go-to expert on healthcare professional engagements, travel and entertainment practices, third-party oversight, and promotional activities.
• Review and provide approvals for business initiatives that require compliance input.
• Partner closely with regional and global compliance colleagues to ensure consistent program delivery.
• Monitor compliance metrics and trends, generate reports, and propose enhancements to existing processes.
• Help build and sustain a culture of integrity while encouraging employees to raise concerns through appropriate channels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; postgraduate qualification is advantageous.
• 8–10 years of relevant experience in compliance, legal, audit, risk management, or a similar field is highly preferred.
• Solid knowledge of the Japanese regulatory environment, including rules around healthcare professionals, transparency reporting, and industry codes.
• Demonstrated success in managing multiple priorities, driving projects, and influencing stakeholders across functions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Japanese, with professional working proficiency in English.
• High personal integrity, balanced judgment, and the ability to work autonomously.
• Prior background in the medical device, pharmaceutical, or healthcare sector is strongly preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinking combined with strong analytical skills.
• Effective stakeholder engagement and ability to build productive business relationships.
• Capacity to explain complex regulatory concepts in clear, actionable terms.
• Proactive, thorough, and focused on continuous improvement.
• Strong collaboration skills with both local and international teams.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Japan Compliance Officer
• Works closely with: Regional and global compliance functions, as well as local commercial and functional leadership.

Work Environment & Expectations

• Occasional domestic and international travel may be required.
• Must maintain the highest standards of ethics and confidentiality when dealing with sensitive issues.
• Expected to demonstrate strong ethical leadership and actively support a culture of compliance throughout the Japan organization.