As a Senior Producer at AKQA, you will be responsible for managing complex, end-to-end, full life-cycle cross-platform production projects including photography, video for digital and broadcast, post-production, social creative activation, and immersive/experiential design.

You will be involved in the conception phase to establish an effective and appropriate production setup after validating the feasibility of creative ideas. You will be responsible from inception and scope definition through to delivery, establishing the optimal production approach to balance client competitiveness, project profitability, and delivery quality.

The producer is also responsible for setting up fair and efficient partnerships with third parties so that they bring value to our production projects. Most importantly, the position consists of being a key point of contact for all content projects. In this role, you may be assigned to long-term retainer projects, including those for global companies, supporting ongoing content production and delivery. 

As a member of AKQA Tokyo, you will join a dynamic, globally minded team surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields. With oversight from the Delivery & Operations Director you will create world-class experiences for both Japanese and overseas markets.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Project Delivery

• Successfully manage the execution of complex projects. Ensure targets are met, and that expectations, budgets, and timelines are aligned in collaboration with the Client Service team.
• Ensure consistently high stakeholder satisfaction, with mutual benefits for clients and AKQA.
• Provide accurate reporting and forecasting of resources, financials, deliverables and timelines; fostering visibility and tracking dependencies.
• Build out AKQA SoW and articulate production workstreams accordingly
• Ensure AKQA clients balance value for money with results.
• Conduct project retro meetings and contribute to continuous improvement of the delivery process
• Production Management
• Manage the production process, from planning and pre-production to shoot management, risk mitigation and post-production.
• Manage all aspects of audio production, including voice-over, final mixes and rights management.
• Oversee production across photography, digital and broadcast video, post-production, social creative activation, and experiential event design.
• Supplier Management
• Able to identify the most appropriate supplier for the required task.
• Ensure outsourced projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standards.
• Select, pilot, and manage a wide range of third parties, always bearing in mind the company’s value and ensuring that both the company’s and our clients’ interests are respected.
• Maintain a vetted list of approved suppliers.
• Organize and manage any relevant third-party company delegation, putting together protective production contracts as detailed as possible (based on the AKQA existing templates).

• Other

• Lead and inspire, sharing your knowledge with peers and mentoring mid- and junior-level delivery team members.  Cultivate a positive team environment, promoting proactivity, enthusiasm for client businesses, and continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS & CHARACTERISTICS

• 6+ years of experience, preferably in an agency environment, delivering innovative, interactive, and consumer-focused solutions.
• Demonstrate experience working on interactive content production projects including campaign, brand films, photography, and more
• Experience working with Creative teams with the ability to make sound commercial and financial decisions, quickly understand problems, propose solutions, and manage client situations.
• Rigorous in organization and management, conscientious and adept in solving issues at all levels of a project.
• Ability to inspire, support and understand the interplay between people, processes, and systems.
• Sharp attention to detail and a drive for perfection.
• Be an excellent team player who supports and elevates the project and other team members.
• Native-level proficiency in Japanese
• Business-level proficiency in English

At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create a better future. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive ideas, services and experiences that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

Strategists at AKQA make our clients’ business, their business. Driven by an innate curiosity and a passion for problem solving and learning, they harness their cutting-edge knowledge of brands, technology, culture and societal trends to provide unique outlooks and solutions for our clients.

As Senior Strategist, you will be responsible for the strategic output for a portfolio of clients, positioning the value of Strategic Planning internally and to clients, and accountable for managing strategic deliverables. The Senior Strategist leads strategic thought on pitches, expected to anticipate, research and identify client opportunities, provide future thinking and a provocative POV whilst managing exciting and challenging day-to-day projects. Your thoughts & opinions will play a role in shaping the future.

The role requires development of insights from research, managing associate research and performance evaluation programmes, and developing strategic responses and value-add thought leadership to clients. Your role will be particularly essential in generating local insight and strategy that resonates within Japan, as well as for audiences more globally.

You will work in an innovative and inclusive culture, surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields. You will have the opportunity to learn and grow within a creative and technically-advanced team and have access to ongoing personal and professional development.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Keep abreast of cultural, creative and technological news and developments pertaining to clients/useful for the account team.
• Utilise experience to begin to develop macro perspectives of your own on consumer & brand issues, leading to 'thought pieces' for both internal (training/idea sharing) and external (publications, speeches, or new business thinking) use.
• Own the strategic debate on own brands, and be recognised as a key driver of this both internally and externally. Further, have proactive, provoking debate on own brands, and identify what the agenda for future discussion should be.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of, and be able to hold discussions about business matters (organisational, strategic, financial, etc.) with senior clients.
• Lead debate with clients on effectiveness of new channels, and the right way to evaluate them. Create case studies and Effectiveness Award submissions on key projects worked on.
• Have a point of view on the future of research, evaluation and effectiveness. Think of new research projects/methodologies/products AKQA can use to generate original insights for clients and for New Business purposes.
• Assume responsibility for multi-market strategy deployment, and demonstrate sensitivity to local market culture and dynamics.
• Take leadership of the majority of the planning side of the brief-writing and development process and be recognised as doing so by both client and senior creatives.
• Be able to sensitively provide feedback to give clear direction, provide additional stimulus and thought starters. Work to keep the creative team motivated and excited about the creative opportunity.
• Develop relationships with the senior clients involved in the brand, and be recognised by the entire client team as the first point of contact for all day-to-day planning issues.
• Assume responsibility for the majority of the planning input and marshalling the thinking on pitches, and be the planning representative for the agency in creds meetings.
• Ensure work is to the highest possible standards at all times, and that client presentations are engaging and inspiring.
• Develop a framework for approach including building out hypotheses, work streams and milestones.
• Fluent in Japanese and English, both written and spoken. 

 QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Extensive experience in strategic planning within a digital or integrated agency environment.
• Experience building robust integrated comms plans.
• Broad knowledge of sector experience - Having experience of two or more industry sectors, with some multi-channel media experience.
• A gifted factual storyteller with one foot in the now and one foot in the future.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence and inspire people.
• Be willing to use your experience to sharpen and strengthen team skills.
• Have experience in developing cutting edge brand experience platforms.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of data, trends and insight, and how these may be utilised in order to improve clients' business results.
• Able to sport the kernel of an idea, experienced in judging the quality of ideas.

At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and experiences that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients. 

The Associate Design Director at AKQA will approach every brief with fresh eyes. Avoiding familiar solutions, the candidate will create and inspire work that is distinctive, effective and truly remarkable. They lead by example to consistently inspire creative colleagues to create world-class, pioneering ideas that conceptualise world-class solutions, while acting as a strategic and conceptual leader on projects. Associate Design Directors at AKQA display a cohesive understanding and can execute the principles that make innovative and effective digital communications, interface design, and interaction design.

We exist to create the future with our clients and that partnership is the basis of our practice. We work collaboratively across client teams to ensure each experience is of the highest quality and has a measurable impact on the customer and business alike.

As part of the AKQA team in Tokyo, you will work in a dynamic, globally-minded environment surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields. Together you will create world-class experiences for both Japanese and overseas markets.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Sets creative direction throughout all phases of project work from discovery to launch and beyond with ongoing optimization
• Acts as a creative lead for one or more accounts, managing multiple tracks of work across a variety of teams
• Works internally and with clients to develop the strategy, experience concepts and establish the overarching design direction for the experience
• Produces compelling and highly usable experience solutions in response to client needs
• Communicates and represents creative vision and execution with client partners
• Continually develops processes to inspire, innovate, and harness new ways of thinking
• Inspires and leads by example, setting professional standards for the team and the department
• Actively trains, mentors, and manages junior to mid-level creatives and designers.
• Responsible for managing and guiding junior to mid-level creatives’ careers within AKQA (including regular one-on-one check-ins), writing and delivering annual performance reviews, and taking responsibility for on-boarding new employees and guiding them through a successful tenure at AKQA
• Creatively participates in new business pitches – i.e. responsible for ideas and creative work, and competently presents pitches
• Be able to guide but also prepared to be hands on with exceptional experience in industry design tools
  
  

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in the creative industry
• Native or fluent Japanese reading and speaking ability is essential.
• All candidates must possess a portfolio showcasing a comprehensive understanding of how l their creative disciplines comes to life and how they applied their thinking, including conceptual and executional (art direction, user experience and UI design) contribute to a finished product
• Demonstrated creative success in leading collaborative cross disciplinary teams
• A solid understanding of the marketing industry at large; an ability and a desire to adapt to the changing landscape of technology
• Experience in, and enthusiasm for, creating digital platforms and products from brief to delivery and beyond.
• Experience in side-by-side collaboration with UX and development teams and leaders
• Strong working knowledge of user interface, application, mobile and responsive design
• Exceptional communication skills: Verbal, written, interpersonal and inter-departmental
• Superb professionalism and mature presence in all aspects of the job
• Thought leadership: A strong point of view; ability to contribute to the strategic development of an assignment; creative ideas and the ability to promote conceptual thinking among the team

#LI-DNI

Experience Designers at AKQA (part of WPP) concept, craft and deliver interfaces that make technology more natural and enjoyable to use. In collaboration with strategists, researchers and technologists, our UI and UX designers take a human-centred approach to create beautiful and meaningful brand experiences.

As a Senior UX Designer you will play an essential role balancing business, customer and technical requirements to craft blueprints for solutions that delight clients and users.

As part of the AKQA team in Tokyo, you will work in a dynamic, globally-minded environment surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields. Together you will create world-class experiences for both Japanese and overseas markets.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Plan and execute core UX/CX deliverables including heuristic and IA audits, ecosystem maps, personas, customer journeys, service blueprints, and wireframes
• Collaborate across disciplines in both agile and waterfall processes to quickly deliver impactful solutions
• Present to business stakeholders to help them make informed decisions that strengthen their business
• Keep on top of best practices and trends to ensure we are at the forefront of the industry
• Lead and inspire, sharing your knowledge with peers and mentoring mid/junior designers
  
  

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• A compelling portfolio demonstrating outstanding UX design, with a desire to become even better
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to make complex topics understandable, and present logically
• Excellent writing and editing skills, experienced in crafting effective, on-brand micro copy
• Mastery of whiteboard and prototyping software such as Miro and Figma
• A “can-do” attitude, eager to embrace big challenges
• Attention to detail and a passion for getting to the root of a problem
• Ability to thrive in a global team, with an open mind to fresh perspectives
• Proven experience working in a Senior UX Design role (agency or in-house)
• A degree in Interaction Design, Information Architecture or other design-related field is preferred
• Fluency in Japanese at N1 or native level is required
• Conversational or higher English ability is preferred but not required

#LI-DNI

At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services.

With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

As a Group Strategy Director, you will operate on behalf of our client, leading their strategic capabilities, with an acute understanding of how communications and culture, technology and psychology, intersect in the mind of the consumer.

Additionally, you are able to analyze data and insights to create a compelling story. You will frame problems in unexpected ways and be relied upon for clarity, leadership, and perspective by the internal team and clients. Serving as strategic lead on accounts and across the agency, you will use both qualitative and quantitative research to answer

questions, prove or disprove hypotheses, and mine insights.

While certain expectations around this role would require whomever fills it to live within a commutable distance, AKQA

has developed a hybrid work structure where its team can choose when to come into the Studio, providing an inclusive, supportive and collaborative culture.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Partner with account leadership to grow the business and strategic acumen of the account. Will also be responsible to dig deep into specific brands to understand the consumer journey, passion points, and interests of our audiences.
• Lead strategic engagements and CX programmes with clients, supported by the local and global teams.
• Deliver strategic outcomes for clients with an equal mix of team leadership and hands-on delivery.
• Partner with the growth team to look at analytics and drive data driven opportunities.
• The ability to work well under pressure, with a high degree of flexibility and fluidity and have an objective-focused and positive approach.
• Strong customer service ethos, a commitment to quality and the will to consistently drive improvements.
• A passion for creativity, innovation and business strategy.
• A commitment to high standards of excellence and integrity.
• Excellent business acumen and sound judgement.
• Be entrepreneurial, with a collaborative, supportive and team-based approach.
• Proven track record in leading and growing strategic, creative, and technology-centered work.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Ability to understand and lead a cross-disciplinary team through the dynamics of a client’s business and the sector in which it operates.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to partner with senior clients are essential.
• Ability to use insights to help drive the creative process in partnership with your creative peers: honing and crafting ideas through human centred insight, and selling them successfully to clients.
• Familiarity with the design, application, and analysis of a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
• Can provide strategic direction on product and experience initiatives, identifying the key value proposition,human needs, and value to the business.
• Can clearly and persuasively communicate strategic recommendations to internal and external audiences with variable levels of understanding.
• Must have at least 12-15 years of experience in a strategic discipline, with a digital, communications or consulting background.
• Product strategy and design thinking is a requirement, with a significant amount of this experience devoted to work in digital environments.
• Brand and communications planning experience is a must, as is business strategy experience.
• Understands how business, brands and customers interact, with deep knowledge of the role that technology plays in this relationship.
• Experience in insight and idea generation, can judge ideas for their distinctiveness, relevance and effectiveness.
• Ability to translate strategic recommendations into actionable experiences, products, and services.
• Familiarity with a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research techniques, ability to design and implement measurement plans.
• Can clearly and persuasively frame and communicate strategic recommendations to senior audiences,internally and externally.
• Team player with strong leadership skills, able to manage people across multiple projects under high pressure.
• Organized, professional, proactive, clear & concise communication style, simple language & high cultural awareness.
• Track record of nurturing and mentoring junior through to senior team members.

At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful  ideas, products and services. We exist to create the future together with our clients. 

The Senior Product Manager deeply understands the client’s business, user insights, and market landscape, and defines the product vision and strategy on behalf of the　client—leading the product from concept to realization. Covering a wide range of digital products such as web platforms, e-commerce, and mobile apps.

The Senior Product Manager leads the entire lifecycle including problem discovery, roadmap creation, requirements definition, design, development, and release.

Combining strategic thinking with executional excellence, the role collaborates with stakeholders across Client Business, Strategy, Experience Design, and Technology to ensure the product delivers meaningful value.
The Senior Product Manager also drives data-informed iteration, serving as the central hub for product growth and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Vision

• Collaborate with Strategy and Experience teams to analyze client and user needs, as well as market trends, and define the product vision and value proposition
• Develop product strategies integrating business objectives, customer experience, and technical requirements (including business cases)
• Lead the creation and prioritization of the product roadmap

Discovery & Requirements Definition

• Identify problems and opportunities through user research, data analysis, and competitive analysis
• Create user stories, requirements, and specifications, translating them into actionable deliverables for development teams
• Define product requirements aligned with the client's business strategy

Product Design & Delivery Leadership

• Work closely with designers, engineers, QA, and developers to lead product development
• Review deliverables, define acceptance criteria, and ensure product quality
• Support the creation of sprint plans and release plans, enabling a smooth development process

Stakeholder Communication

• Identify and engage relevant stakeholders for each project
• Lead communication with clients, internal teams, and business/technical stakeholders
• Share product status, risks, and changing priorities to facilitate effective decision-making

Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• Define KPIs and success metrics, driving a data-informed improvement cycle
• Analyze market and user feedback to guide ongoing product updates
• Conduct impact assessments and extract insights to prioritize and drive improvements

QUALIFICATIONS & CHARACTERISTICS 

• 5+ years of experience in digital product or service management 
• Hands-on experience with product strategy, roadmap development, requirements definition, and user story creation 
• Experience collaborating with engineers and designers to deliver product outcomes 
• Strong logical thinking and communication skills, including stakeholder management 
• Experience in web, mobile app, e-commerce, or digital marketing projects

Preferred Qualifications 

• Business-level English and native-level Japanese communication skills
• Experience launching or growing B2C products 
• Practical experience with Agile/Scrum 
• Knowledge of personalization, CRM, CDP, or related product areas Understanding of APIs, headless architecture, cloud technologies, or engineering background

At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful  ideas, products and services. We exist to create the future together with our clients. 

AKQA’s Experience Technology Architect, with assistance from the Technical Director and  Delivery Director, will serve as the technical point of contact for clients and lead the  project team for technical perspective to achieve the best results. 

As a member of AKQA Tokyo, you will join a dynamic, globally-minded team  surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields. You will create world-class  experiences for both Japanese and overseas markets with Team. 

ROLE REQUIREMENTS 

• Facing Japanese customers and collaborating with global team on activities related  to the technical aspects of the project. 
• Understanding proposed customer experiences and interpreting and document  technical requirements. 
• Define technology requirements and propose solutions based on company best  practice. 
• Platform Evaluation and selection to meet client requirements 
• Research best practices and proactively getting help of local and global colleagues to shape technical solutions. 
• Support the design and implementation of frontend and backend architecture to  drive customer experiences. 
• Research and ensure best practices in accessibility, performance, and security. Evaluate existing client architectures and suggest appropriate improvements to  meet their goals. 
• Recruit and oversee technology development teams.

QUALIFICATIONS & CHARACTERISTICS 

• Bachelorʼs degree in Computer Science, IT, or related field. 
• 5+ years of experience in software development or system Implementation. 3+ years of experience delivering customer-facing services on the vendor side. Understanding in frontend frameworks like ReactJS and backend technologies or  equivalent technologies. 
• Understanding of modern cloud infrastructure such as Vercel or Netlify, and major  cloud providers like GCP, AWS or Azure. 
• Having an interest in advanced technology solutions and being proactive in  acquiring new skills. 
• A person who can be an advocate for global standard framework and development  methodologies. 

Desired Qualifications 

• Ability to independently provide services to clients. 
• Experience in e-commerce and web architecture with headless architecture. Experience participating in global projects. 
• Business level English and native level Japanese. 

Experience Designers at AKQA (part of WPP) concept, craft and deliver interfaces that make technology more natural and enjoyable to use. In collaboration with strategists, researchers and technologists, our UI and UX designers take a human-centred approach to create beautiful and meaningful brand experiences.

As a Senior UI Designer, you will play an essential role in conception and design; bringing exceptional creative thinking and craft to deliver digital experiences that delight clients and users.

As part of the AKQA team in Tokyo, you will work in a dynamic, globally-minded environment surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields. Together you will create world-class experiences for both Japanese and overseas markets.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrate world-class execution of innovative and effective digital communication design, interface design, and interaction design across all digital platforms.
• Consistently deliver systematic, responsive design solutions through an agile methodology.
• Apply your skills in pitches to bring ideas to life, inspiring and exciting potential clients.
• Present design work confidently to stakeholders, and build trusting relationships.
• Ideate, co-design and refine with peers and clients in a positive and collaborative manner.
• Ensure projects and tasks are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest quality.
• Learn new skills and stay abreast of design and technical developments. Advocate for and apply best practices to keep our team at the forefront of the industry.
• Keep on top of current and upcoming cultural trends — both in Japan and globally.
• Lead and inspire, sharing your knowledge with peers and mentoring mid/junior designers.

EXPERIENCE AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Outstanding typography and layout skills; demonstrating range and subtlety.
• Sensitivity to colour, shadows, motion and details that others may not consciously notice.
• Exceptional design aesthetics with a portfolio to demonstrate.
• Experience in creating and presenting concepts through mood boards and prototypes.
• Experience in taking designs from low-fidelity wireframes to polished digital products.
• Experience in atomic design principles and building design systems that scale.
• Understanding of usability and accessibility best practices.
• Understanding of the technical possibilities and limitations of web and app development.
• Excellent verbal, visual and written communication skills, with the ability to present logically, objectively and inspiringly.
• Native or fluent Japanese reading and speaking ability is essential.
• Intermediate or higher English ability is preferred.
• Ability to thrive in a global team, with an open mind to fresh perspectives.
• Strong experience in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite and prototyping tools.
• Proven experience working in a Senior Design role (agency or client-side).
• A degree in Design, Interaction Design, or other design-related field is preferred.

#LI-DNI

At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful  ideas, products and services. We exist to create the future together with our clients. 

The Technology Director is responsible for leading and growing the Tokyo technology team and client portfolio. Working alongside the local leadership team and regional Chief Technology Officer, you will own the Tokyo technology strategy, plan how to grow and service the Tokyo studio engagements and foster a high-performing technology team, while ensuring successful commercial engagements and technical program delivery.

You will build and lead a team of experts and coordinate with regional practice leaders and partners to deliver technology outcomes for the Tokyo client portfolio. As a member of the regional AKQA Technology Executive, you will also contribute to regional technology initiatives and practice development.

By deeply understanding client business challenges, experience goals, and technical requirements, the Technology Director serves as the central decision-maker ensuring world-class digital experiences powered by modern web architectures and frameworks, MarTech, and AI technologies.

This role reports to the local Delivery Director and the APAC CTO.  Primary reports for this role include Solution Architects, Technical Leads, and Principal Engineers.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Delivery Leadership

• Lead the technical setup and onboarding for web and digital product development projects.
• Own architecture reviews, code reviews, and technical risk assessments.
• Establish quality, performance, and security standards to ensure high-quality delivery.
• Lead high-complexity projects independently within client engagements.
• Drive technical decision-making and propose optimal implementation approaches.
• Be hands-on in delivering technology engagements and solutions as required, while building the Tokyo technology practice.

Proposal & Pre-Sales Support

• Lead RFP/RFI analysis, technical approach design, and proposal development.
• Own technical presentations, client communication, and estimation.
• Contribute to business growth by designing competitive, technology-driven solutions.
• Lead and coordinate bringing in regional technology colleagues and partners in order to create compelling RFP responses highlighting the best of AKQA’s capabilities
  
  

Team Management & Capability Building

• Lead and mentor architects, Technical Delivery Managers, and other technology team members.
• Define and maintain technical standards, development processes, and best practices to improve productivity and quality.
• Support hiring, talent development, performance management, and community engagement to strengthen the technology discipline.
• Ensure the team structure is maintained, and appropriately sized for the current and pipeline client engagements.
• Guide decisions on the mix of resources across the studio, including the mix of permanent and contract roles, and decisions on when to utilise partners within the AKQA and Itochu networks.
• Work with regional practice leaders to develop practice related talent

Solution Development & Innovation

• Continuously evaluate emerging technologies such as AI/LLM, MarTech tools, cloud platforms, and modern web frameworks.
• Provide technical insights that drive client proposals and product improvements.
• Collaborate with global teams to adopt and localize best practices and global capabilities.

Stakeholder Communication

• Lead technical discussions with client executives, IT leaders, and product owners.
• Promote collaboration with AKQA's regional and global team, and partnerships with partners.
• Work closely with PMs, designers, and strategists to ensure alignment across all project disciplines.

Reputation

• Involvement in AKQA's marketing and PR - focused on both potential clients and potential employees.
• Drive initiatives to connect with and attract key talent to AKQA.
• Foster and contribute to industry thought leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS & CHARACTERISTICS 

• Strong interest and ongoing learning in AI, LLMs, generative AI, MarTech, and emerging technologies
• Experience designing architecture for large-scale digital products
• Experience working within a global or distributed organization
• Public technical contributions such as conference speaking, publishing, or OSS involvement
• knowledge of modern web architecture, APIs, cloud platforms (GCP, AWS, Azure / Vercel, Netlify), and software engineering best practices

Creatives at AKQA (part of WPP) apply artistry and craftsmanship to strategic insight to create and bring to life beautiful concepts that stop people in their tracks. Skilled storytellers and ideators, they work in a multidisciplinary environment to develop work that both enthralls customers and unlocks new value for our clients.

Art Directors play essential roles in the strategy, conception and design of beautiful ideas, products and services. They bring exceptional creative thought and they craft output, developing and delivering projects from the brief to end user.

As an Art Director at AKQA, you’ll conceive and develop ideas that solve important client problems. By thinking beyond briefs and imagining approaches our clients may not have asked for – or even thought possible – you’ll be helping to build AKQA’s reputation for work that is both ground-breaking and influential.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Possess exceptional art direction skills and the ability to implement strategic and conceptual thinking.
• Collaborate with copywriters, strategists, UX/visual designers and technologists to develop innovative and persuasive concepts.
• Drive the development of creative ideas for new business pitches and other important agency initiatives.
• Develop pioneering ideas that deliver successful solutions.
• Be accountable for the project design deliverables and manage the quality of all design deliverables to ensure they meet AKQA standards for creative excellence.
• Embrace challenges and inspire new ways of thinking.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Extensive hands-on experience with client work within Japan, with the ability to communicate effectively with both team members and clients in both Japanese and English.
• A compelling portfolio that demonstrates the breadth of your conceptual thinking and design craft.
• Exceptional communication skills that enable you to articulate the ‘why’ behind your concepts.
• A drive to break boundaries and craft world-changing ideas.
• Passionate, driven and obsessed about your craft, staying abreast of best practice in your field.
• Natural curiosity that allows you to find inspiration in anything and everything, with a keen eye on the future of media and technology.
• Strong industry-relevant experience.

AKQA (part of WPP) is a creative agency that transforms strategic insights into beautiful concepts through art and craftsmanship, guiding clients toward a better future.

As an Associate Creative Director, you will be expected to go beyond the brief—developing strategic approaches based on consumer insight, generating bold and innovative ideas, and presenting them as compelling narratives to clients.

At AKQA, our work extends far beyond advertising. From building brand and CX visions to designing digital and physical experiences, our projects span a wide range of disciplines. While leveraging your creative expertise built through past experience, you will also be expected to cross boundaries and take on new challenges in unexplored domains.

In particular, AKQA Tokyo is on a mission to grow our team and become Japan’s leading creative agency—one that creates a better future for brands through transformative brand experiences that go beyond traditional marketing. We are looking for passionate, ambitious new talent to join us in this journey.

Role Requirements

• Deliver and inspire award-winning work from both yourself and others who work with you, influencing where appropriate a dramatic change through ideas, creativity and the use of interactive media.
• Lead, direct and manage a cross-disciplinary and culturally diverse set of talents, both internal and external to AKQA to deliver successful solutions and high-quality works to clients on time.
• Create ground-breaking work that positively impacts our clients, our teams and the world.
• Foster and line-manage creatives that are eager to grow their craft in art direction, copywriting or design.
• Learn new skills and stay abreast of technical and digital design developments, and successfully apply them to work practices to help improve processes and procedures.
• Work with other AKQA network creatives collaboratively on joint initiatives.
• Work closely with the strategy teams to shape briefs that empower our teams to deliver work that pushes our client's brand to the forefront of their global audience's minds.
• Extensive hands-on experience in client work within Japan, with the ability to communicate effectively with both team members and clients in both Japanese and English.

Key Responsibilities

• Creative briefs

Contributes to strategic development of a well-defined creative brief and any additional briefing documents, speaking with the client directly when necessary. Listens to and responds to a brief, understanding where/if there are gaps. Knows what questions to ask during the briefing session in order to act upon it. Understands how to respond to a brief.

• Idea generation
  Leads by example to consistently inspire creative colleagues to originate world- class, pioneering ideas that conceptualize world-class solutions. Generates useful, usable ideas across all existing and emerging digital platforms. Continually develops practices and processes to inspire, innovate and harness new ways of thinking.

• New business development
  Creatively leads new business pitches. Responsible for crisp ideas and creative workflow; effective and dynamic storyteller for oral pitch presentation.

• Creative craft skills
  Selects the most appropriate supplier for the required task. Successfully leads multiple suppliers, partners and clients to ensure outsourced projects are creatively delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standards. Helps to ensure AKQA continues to create unique and inspirational solutions.
  
  
• Stakeholder management
  Successfully manages multiple suppliers, partners and customers to ensure the best outcome for both customer and AKQA. Keeps stakeholders informed of project progress at all times and manages expectations proactively.

• Client Leadership
  Understand client business goals and ambitions. Takes briefs from clients and successfully creates stories that communicate client’s needs and ambitions to the consumers.

At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful  ideas, products and services. We exist to create the future together with our clients. 

The Production Director (Communications) is responsible for leading and delivering high-quality brand and communication projects across film, content, digital campaigns, events, and integrated experiences.

As the senior owner of production, this role oversees the entire delivery lifecycle—from concept feasibility and production planning through execution, launch, and post-delivery evaluation—ensuring creative excellence, operational rigor, and commercial success.

Working closely with Creative, Strategy, Client Services, and external production partners, the Production Director ensures that ideas are produced to the highest standard, delivered on time and within budget, while building strong and trusted client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Production Leadership & Delivery

• Lead end-to-end delivery of communication and brand projects, including film, digital content, integrated campaigns, events, and experiential executions.
• Own production planning, schedules, budgets, resourcing, and risk management.
• Ensure delivery quality, creative integrity, and consistency across all outputs.　
• Proactively identify, mitigate, and resolve production risks and issues.

Creative Collaboration

• Partner closely with Creative Directors and creative teams to assess feasibility and translate ideas into executable production plans. 
• Provide production guidance during ideation to balance creativity, quality, timeline, and budget. 
• Protect and elevate creative intent throughout the entire production process.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as a senior point of contact for clients on all production-related matters.
• Lead production discussions, align expectations, and manage changes in scope or direction. 
• Communicate clearly and transparently on timelines, costs, risks, and trade-offs.

Partner & Vendor Management

• Select, brief, and manage external production partners including film production companies, post-production houses, and event vendors.
• Negotiate contracts, manage costs, and ensure compliance with legal, brand, and safety standards. 
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with trusted production partners.

Operational Excellence

• Own production budgets, cost estimates, and financial tracking.
• Ensure projects are delivered within approved scope and commercial targets.
• Contribute to proposal development, including production approach, timelines, and cost estimates.

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, mentor, and develop Producers, Senior Producers, and Production Managers.
• Establish production best practices, standards, and scalable delivery processes.
• Support hiring and team growth as the communications production capability expands.

QUALIFICATIONS & CHARACTERISTICS 

• 8+ years of experience in production leadership roles within advertising agencies, creative agencies, or production companies.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale brand, communication, or campaign projects.
• Strong experience in film production, content production, and integrated campaigns.
• Excellent client-facing and stakeholder management skills.
• Deep understanding of production workflows, budgeting, and vendor management.
• Business-level English proficiency and native-level Japanese communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience working in global or multi-market environments.
• Strong understanding of digital, social, and integrated campaign production.
• Experience collaborating with international creative and production teams.

As a Creative Director and the leader of the AKQA Tokyo (part of WPP) studio’s Creative department, you will create and inspire work that is distinctive, unfamiliar, effective and truly remarkable to make a difference to consumers’ behavior through ideas, creativity and the use of interactive media. You will inspire and lead a team to raise their bar even higher, mentoring a team, leading by example and championing the discipline in the wider agency and beyond. 

Role Requirements

• Deliver and inspire award-winning work from both yourself and others who work with you, influencing where appropriate a dramatic change through ideas, creativity and the use of interactive media.
• Lead, direct and manage cross-disciplinary and culturally diverse set of talents, both internal and external to AKQA to deliver successful solutions and high-quality works to clients on time.
• Create ground-breaking work that positively impacts our clients, our teams and the world.
• Foster and line-manage creatives that are eager to grow their craft in art direction, copywriting or design.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Learn new skills and stay abreast of technical and digital design developments, and successfully apply them to work practices to help improve processes and procedures.
• Act as the creative representative of the Tokyo studio within and outside AKQA network, in Japanese and in English. Work with other AKQA network creatives collaboratively on joint initiatives.
• Work closely with the strategy teams to shape briefs that empower our teams to deliver work that pushes our client's brand to the forefront of their global audience's minds
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Key Responsibilities

• Creative briefs
  • Contributes to strategic development of a well-defined creative brief and any additional briefing documents, speaking with the client directly when necessary. Listens to and responds to a brief, understanding where/if there are gaps. Knows what questions to ask during the briefing session in order to act upon it. Understands how to respond to a brief.

• Idea generation
  • Leads by example to consistently inspire creative colleagues to originate world- class, pioneering ideas that conceptualize world-class solutions. Generates useful, usable ideas across all existing and emerging digital platforms. Continually develops practices and processes to inspire, innovate and harness new ways of thinking.

• ◊ New business development
  • Creatively leads new business pitches. Responsible for crisp ideas and creative workflow; effective and dynamic storyteller for oral pitch presentation in both Japanese & English.

• Creative craft skills
  • Selects most appropriate supplier for required task. Successfully leads multiple suppliers, partners and clients to ensure outsourced projects are creatively delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standards. Helps to ensure AKQA continues to create unique and inspirational solutions.

• Team management
  • Manages creatives as direct reports. Provides an international and supportive working environment, based on openness, trust and regular constructive feedback on performance. Sets clear and achievable goals. Takes immediate action to address performance/conduct issues. Assesses a broad range of tasks and determines which team member should manage to ensure delivery to the highest standard. Is an ambassador for AKQA and its values at all times.
  • Demonstrates creative success in leading collaborative multidisciplinary teams, including project planning, to winning a number of industry recognized awards.

• Stakeholder management
  • Successfully manages multiple suppliers, partners and customers to ensure the best outcome for both customer and AKQA. Keeps stakeholders informed of project progress at all times and manages expectations proactively.

• Client Leadership
  • Understand client business goals and ambitions. Takes briefs from clients and successfully creates stories that communicate client’s needs and ambitions to the consumers.

AKQA Competencies

• Innovation

Seen as a transformational leader in the industry who is capable of driving change throughout an organization. Is able to articulate a compelling business case and can galvanize the team to action in face of change. Creates an environment that challenges traditional thinking, status quo, Japanese industry norms and ensures the company stays far ahead of competition and clients.

• Service                                                          

Able to deftly manage most senior client expectations, particularly those that conflict with the company’s recommendations, and can drive successful outcomes while maintaining (or even growing) the relationship. Develops strategies to build a climate of trust, openness and respect; forges strong relationships to drive successful outcomes.

• Quality                                                                        

Has the ability to set the tone for the team and believes that without the greatest work, nothing else matters. Possesses a strong bias to action and is able to consistently deliver high quality work within required timeframes. Possesses a strong bias to action and is energized by challenges; is a visible champion of excellence and perfect delivery. Is upbeat and committed to their working life and makes a positive contribution to team morale.

• Thought                                                                      

Develops long-term strategic partnerships that support business growth and financial success; aligns own and team objectives with overall business objectives. Identified as a leader of insight-driven recommendations to clients; possesses general business savvy and expertise in the industry. Possesses highly advanced writing skills to effectively present a point of view, using logic, fact and a compelling storyline via any medium. Commands the attention of the audience and can manage group dynamics during presentations to effectively engage audiences, counter objections and sell recommendations.

Please submit your resume and portfolio (PDF or website link) when applying.