Head of Strategic Growth, Japan

Location: Tokyo, Japan

We are seeking exceptional early-career leaders to serve as Heads of Strategic Growth. Reporting directly to the CEO with intensive mentorship during your first year, you will leverage your government relationships and policy expertise to structure and close transformational deals that establish Rhombus as the predictive intelligence partner of choice for defense and national security organizations in your assigned territory.

This is a rare opportunity for rising stars in the defense policy community with congressional, parliamentary, or senior government experience and deep networks across defense, intelligence, and foreign policy establishments—to transition into a high-impact commercial role. You will combine your understanding of how governments make decisions with the business acumen to negotiate complex deals, acting as both strategic advisor and deal maker - from open, to construction, and close for some of the most consequential technology partnerships in national security.

If you're a former congressional staffer, defense policy professional, or government strategist who has spent the last few years building industry experience and are ready to own revenue outcomes while shaping how allied nations deploy AI for national security, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

• Own Sales and Revenue Growth in Assigned Territory: Structure, negotiate, and close high-value deals ($5M-$50M+) with defense ministries, intelligence agencies, and national security organizations across your geographic area of responsibility (United States, Europe, or Asia-Pacific).
• Leverage Government Networks and Relationships: Activate your existing relationships with senior officials, congressional/parliamentary leaders, defense committees, and national security stakeholders to open doors, facilitate introductions, and position Rhombus for strategic opportunities.
• Structure Strategic Partnerships and Agreements: Design deal structures, partnership frameworks, and contractual arrangements that align Rhombus capabilities with government priorities, including multi-year programs, pilot-to-production pathways, and allied nation collaborations.
• Serve as Trusted Advisor to Senior Government Officials: Engage at the highest levels of government—Ministers, Assistant Secretaries, Committee Staff Directors, Intelligence Directors, and SES officials—articulating how Rhombus predictive intelligence capabilities address strategic national security challenges.
• Develop Market Entry and Expansion Strategies: Assess political landscapes, defense priorities, threat perceptions, and budget environments in your territory to identify high-potential opportunities and craft go-to-market strategies that resonate with government buyers.
• Collaborate with CEO on Strategic Vision: Work for the CEO as both protégé and strategic partner, contributing to company strategy, shaping product-market fit for government customers, and representing Rhombus in high-stakes negotiations and policy discussions.
• Coordinate Cross-Functionally on Deal Execution: Partner with Product, Engineering, Customer Success, Legal, and Finance teams to ensure deal structures are technically feasible, legally sound, and operationally deliverable, managing handoffs from signed contract to successful implementation.
• Mentor Under CEO for First Year: Participate in intensive one-year mentorship program under the CEO and his core leadership team, learning business strategy, deal structuring, technology positioning, and commercial skills while contributing strategic value from day one through your government expertise and relationships.
• Report on Pipeline and Deal Progression: Deliver regular updates on pipeline development, deal status, relationship-building progress, and market dynamics, with clear visibility into revenue forecasts and strategic opportunities in your territory.
• Represent Rhombus at Government and Industry Forums: Serve as company representative at defense conferences, bilateral meetings, congressional hearings (as appropriate), parliamentary inquiries, security dialogues, and industry events relevant to your geographic market.

Qualifications

• Government Policy and Legislative Experience: Background as congressional staffer (ideally with Armed Services Committee, Intelligence Committee, or Foreign Relations Committee), parliamentary advisor, senior defense ministry official, or equivalent government role with direct exposure to national security policy and decision-making at the highest levels.
• Established Government Network: Deep, active relationships across defense and national security establishments in your territory, including senior officials in defense ministries, intelligence agencies, military services, legislative bodies, and national security councils. You should be able to name 20+ senior contacts you could call today.
• Industry Transition Experience (minimum 3 years): Post-government experience in defense technology, consulting, or related industry roles where you've begun applying your policy expertise to commercial outcomes.
• Deep Understanding of Defense Procurement and Authorization: Expert knowledge of how governments buy technology, allocate budgets, and authorize programs, including familiarity with authorization processes (e.g., NDAA in U.S., defense white papers internationally), appropriations cycles, and procurement frameworks.
• Strategic and Analytical Thinking: Ability to assess geopolitical dynamics, defense priorities, threat landscapes, and political environments to identify opportunities and craft strategies. Background in political science, international relations, security studies, or related fields.
• Exceptional Communication and Executive Presence: Ability to engage credibly with Ministers, Generals, Assistant Secretaries, Committee Staff Directors, and CEOs. Skilled at articulating complex technology capabilities in policy-relevant terms and writing policy papers, briefing memos, and strategic documents.
• Elite Educational Background: Degree from top-tier institution in political science, international relations, security studies, or related field. Advanced degree (Master's or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• Geographic and Cultural Expertise: Deep knowledge of regional defense ecosystems, political dynamics, and cultural norms in your assigned territory. Native or near-native language capability as relevant.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset and Ownership Mentality: Comfort operating with significant autonomy, building strategies from scratch, and owning revenue outcomes. Willingness to learn commercial skills rapidly while applying government expertise.
• Security Clearance Eligibility: Citizenship or permanent residency in the country of assignment with ability to obtain necessary security clearances as applicable.
• Willingness to Travel Extensively: Flexibility to travel 50%+ for customer meetings, government engagements, conferences, and headquarters visits. Regular travel to Palo Alto, CA headquarters is expected.

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience, aggressive commission structure tied to closed revenue, equity participation, and benefits. Compensation package designed to reward top performers who exceed ambitious revenue targets.