From Zero to Country Head in 3 Months: Building Japan Operations for a Biotech Startup
In the world of biotech, speed and precision are everything not just in research, but in building the right team. When a Japan–US VC-backed epigenetics startup needed to launch operations in Japan, they faced a unique challenge: no local entity, no brand presence, and no roadmap for their first senior hire. The mission was clear secure a Japan Country Head with a translational research background in just three months.
The Challenge
Launching into a new market is never simple, but in this case, the hurdles were steep:
- US HQ with only the CEO in place
- No legal entity or brand recognition in Japan
- No job description or defined hiring plan
- Leadership unfamiliar with Japanese labor laws and compensation structures
- A high-stakes deadline of 3 months to fill the role
Our Approach
We took a hands-on, end-to-end approach to make this possible:
- Crafting the Value Proposition – Clearly defined why the opportunity was unique and worth a top leader’s attention.
- Job Design & Market Alignment – Created the role profile to meet both business needs and Japan’s talent market expectations.
- Compliance & Offer Strategy – Guided offer letter creation and ensured adherence to Japanese labor regulations.
- Compensation Framework – Proposed a competitive package to attract senior-level talent.
- Stakeholder Coordination – Acted as the bridge between the VC, US HQ, and candidates to keep momentum high.
The Results
- Hired a former global pharma leader with US experience to head Japan operations
- Delivered the appointment within the 3-month deadline
- Established the startup as a credible player in Japan’s biotech market despite having no initial presence