Commercial (Senior) Associate - Japanese Speaking

Aurora Energy Research Ltd; Oxford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A global energy consultancy is seeking a Commercial Associate in Oxford. The successful candidate will work with international clients, requiring fluency in Japanese and experience in business development. Responsibilities include qualifying sales opportunities and using Salesforce for account management. The role offers a dynamic work environment and opportunities for growth.

Benefits

Commuting allowance

Private health insurance

Training programme access

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in business development, account management or client success.
• Strong commercial mindset with creativity and opportunity intuition.
• Ability to communicate with both technical and non-technical people.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Qualify and develop sales opportunities through product knowledge.
• Generate leads and build an engaged customer base.
• Handle negotiations and contracts with clients.
• Use Salesforce CRM for managing sales stages.
• Contribute to new product development.

Skills

Business development

Account management

Fluency in Japanese

Fluency in English

Communication skills

Organization skills

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Description

Department: Commercial - Sales & Account Management

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Oxford, UK

Reporting To: Head of Commercial, APAC

Please note that this role is based in our Tokyo office. You will join our APAC commercial team, which is expected to continue growing and offer potential for progression, including through international expansion and creating new data and software-based solutions.

Overview

Aurora is an industry leader in providing energy market forecasts, analysis, insights, and consultancy due to two reasons – 1) a highly skilled technical team and 2) an active commercial team who are well integrated with our client base, helping them make better informed investment decisions. We are seeking a Commercial Associate to sell our products and services which help the transition towards a more sustainable world. You will work in a dynamic, multi-national team responsible for sales and account management activities of our subscription services. You will play a key role in all aspects of client interactions and business development. The role will focus on creating/ developing sales opportunities for our full range of products, primarily with customers based in Japan.

The successful candidate will combine a strong commercial mindset, great communication and relationship management skills, passion to develop new business, high eagerness to learn, and interest in energy markets. You will work in a young, dynamic, stimulating, demanding and collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Qualify and develop sales opportunities through company and product knowledge, researching consumer needs, and identifying how our solutions can meet them
• Generate leads and grow existing relationships to develop an active, engaged and repeat customer base
• Pursue plans to increase account value through cross-sell and up-sell opportunities
• Represent Aurora, with a comprehensive understanding of our offerings
• Pitch our offerings and make proposals to existing and potential customers
• Handle negotiations and contracting with our client base
• Use Salesforce CRM to ensure standard processes during all sales stages
• Provide account management to ensure excellent customer experience and high engagement
• Contribute to new product development and improving our existing offerings
• Develop new marketing materials as needed
• Where appropriate, and depending on interest/ability, support the research and publications team in developing our long-term market outlook and analysis

What we are looking for

Required attributes:

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in business development, account management or client success
• Strong commercial mindset, including creativity and intuition for opportunities that create impact and commercial success
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and cope with uncertainty
• Excellent organization skills and a high degree of persistence and diligence
• A can-do attitude and willingness to help wherever needed e.g. improving internal systems and processes
• Motivated by achieving tangible individual and team commercial targets
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with both technically and non-technically minded people
• Outstanding written and verbal communication as well as interpersonal skills
• Evidence of strong performance in team-oriented environments
• Enthusiasm and curiosity about the energy transition, Aurora, Aurora's clients and how we can support them
• Fluency in both Japanese and English

Desirable attributes:

• Experience in business development, account management or client success within the energy sector
• Experience selling research or some form of subscription service
• Experience with Salesforce or other CRM system
• Previous professional exposure to energy economics, power markets and power networks would be an advantage

What we offer

• A fun, informal and international work culture
• Commuting allowance
• Private health insurance
• Access to the Aurora Academy, our training programme offering a range of opportunities to develop your skills
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), offering a complete support network that offers expert advice and compassionate guidance 24/7/365, covering a wide range of personal and professional aspects

The Company is committed to the principle that no employee or job applicant shall receive unfavourable treatment on grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity/paternity.