About the Opportunity

Job Description

Title             Associate Director, Product Development and Management

Department     Product Development and Management, Japan

Location         Tokyo, Japan

Reports To   Co-Head of Product Development & Management

Level             Grade 7

We’re proud to have been helping our clients build better financial futures for over 50 years. How have we achieved this? By working together - and supporting each other - all over the world. So, join our team and feel like you’re part of something bigger.

About your team

The Japan Product Development and Management Team is responsible for shaping and executing the product strategy that supports FIL’s growth ambitions in Japan. The team oversees product development, implementation, product governance, lifecycle management, market intelligence, as well as supporting local distribution strategies.

Working closely with Distribution, Investment Management, and key internal and external stakeholders, the team develops and evolves the product offering to meet changing client needs, regulatory requirements, and market opportunities while maintaining a strong product governance framework.

About your role
You will be part of a dynamic Product Development team that drives business growth through the development, management, and commercialization of investment products and solutions for intermediary and institutional clients.  

The Japan Product Development and Management Team is seeking an Associate Director to lead strategic product initiatives spanning ideation and development and proactively contribute to product implementation and ongoing management in partnership with colleagues, ensuring successful business outcomes across the product lifecycle.

In this role, you will be expected to take ownership of key strategic initiatives, working with a high degree of autonomy while partnering effectively across functions to deliver successful outcomes. You will exercise sound judgment, manage risks proactively, and contribute to shaping the Japan product agenda and business growth. As a senior member of the team, you will also coach and support junior colleagues while partnering with senior leaders to develop team capabilities. Given the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, you will work closely with internal stakeholders and actively contribute to industry initiatives to help position FIL to respond to evolving market and regulatory developments.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the evolution of the Japan product suite by identifying commercial opportunities and developing market-relevant products and solutions in partnership with Distribution, Investment Management, and Product Development team in other regions.
• Provide strategic product recommendations to senior management based on market opportunities, client demand, competitive developments, and investment capabilities.
• Lead the design and development of new investment products and solutions, including investment objectives, fund structure, pricing, distribution policy, and disclosure requirements.
• Develop robust business cases to support strategic product initiatives for the Japan intermediary and institutional businesses.
• Lead strategic product initiatives, including new fund launches, fund closures, corporate actions, and product rationalisation, ensuring effective execution and appropriate risk management.
• Partner closely with colleagues responsible for product implementation and ongoing management to deliver successful business outcomes across the product lifecycle.
• Monitor capital market developments, asset flows, peer activity, academic and industry research, and emerging market trends to identify new product opportunities.
• Monitor regulatory developments affecting the investment management industry and proactively contribute to industry initiatives and discussions in partnership with Compliance and other internal stakeholders.
• Lead internal discussions regarding product enhancements, changes or rationalisation initiatives, partnering closely with Distribution and Investment Management teams.
• Represent the Japan business in regional and global product forums, ensuring local market priorities are appropriately reflected in global product strategy.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for investment capacity enquiries, partnering with Investment Management to facilitate business opportunities.
• Coach and support junior team members by sharing expertise, providing guidance on product initiatives, and contributing to the development of team capabilities.
• Support Distribution teams in client and distributor engagements by providing product expertise and gathering market feedback to inform product strategy and development.

About you

The ideal candidate possesses the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrated experience in product development, or a related investment product function within an asset management organisation, with experience in product design, launches, lifecycle management, and commercialisation.
• Strong knowledge of investment strategies and portfolio management across traditional asset classes, as well as multi-asset, private assets and alternative investments.
• Prior experience in investment management, fund due diligence, or investment consulting is an advantage.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify product opportunities and develop compelling business cases.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to organise proposals and business cases, lead technical discussions, influence senior stakeholders, and participate in client and prospect presentations.
• A collaborative, proactive, and results-oriented mindset, with the ability to work effectively across functions, regions, and cultures, while coaching and supporting more junior colleagues.
• Native or advanced business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English, both written and spoken.
• Knowledge of project management principles and experience leading cross-functional projects or initiatives.
• Knowledge of fund accounting, taxation, and regulations related to collective investment schemes is desirable.
• CFA, CAIA, MBA, CMA, or equivalent professional qualifications are preferred.

Feel rewarded

For starters, we’ll offer you a comprehensive benefits package. We’ll value your wellbeing and support your development. And we’ll be as flexible as we can about where and when you work – finding a balance that works for all of us. It’s all part of our commitment to making you feel motivated by the work you do and happy to be part of our team. For more about our work, our approach to dynamic working and how you could build your future here, visit careers.fidelityinternational.com.

For more about our work, our approach to dynamic working and how you could build your future here, visit careers.fidelityinternational.com.