Sales Engineering Manager

Job Title Sales Engineering Manager Job Description Job Description: Sales Engineering Manager Role Overview As the Sales Engineering Manager , you will lead, develop, and inspire a team of eight Sales Engineers in Japan. You are responsible for ensuring that the technical organization provides world-class pre-sales support to the sales team and partners. Your leadership will focus on establishing Axis as a "Trusted Advisor" in the market, optimizing the technical sales cycle, and ensuring the seamless transfer of expertise to our ecosystem. Reports to : SE&T Manager, Japan Direct Reports : 8 Sales Engineers Location : Tokyo, Japan Travel : The role will have a requirement to travel domestically with some international travel. Responsibilities (Key Accountabilities) Strategic Technical Leadership & Mentorship : Manage, inspire, and develop a high-performing team of 8 Sales Engineers. Shift focus from individual technical tasks to long-term talent development, ensuring each member excels as a "Trusted Advisor" in the market. Pre-Sales Excellence & Ecosystem Optimization : Drive the overarching strategy for technical sales support. Align SE resources strategically with high-priority business opportunities to influence decision-makers and ensure Axis solutions are specified at the earliest stages of the sales cycle. Scalable Knowledge Transfer & Axis Academy Strategy : Orchestrate the national strategy for technical competence development. Ensure the seamless transfer of expertise to partners and the internal team through high-impact training programs (Axis Academy) and innovative technical collateral. Cross-Functional Technical Orchestration : Act as the primary technical liaison between the Japan sales organization and Global/APAC technical leadership. Translate global product roadmaps into local technical strategies and provide critical market feedback to HQ to influence future product development. Quality Assurance & Solution Governance : Oversee the integrity of system designs and technical proposals. Establish standards for proof-of-concepts (PoC), shootouts, and solution testing to ensure Axis consistently delivers the highest reliability and performance in the industry. Innovation & Laboratory Management : Strategic oversight of the Japan Solution Labs and demonstration facilities. Transform these spaces into centers of innovation where complex third-party integrations and edge-computing solutions can be validated and showcased to key stakeholders. Champion of Culture & Methodology : Embody Axis Core Values and ensure the technical organization operates with an "Act as one" mindset, bridging the gap between sales objectives and technical feasibility to drive sustainable business growth. Profile (Qualifications for the job) Experience & Leadership Skills Pre-Sales Talent Development : Proven experience in mentoring and upskilling Pre-Sales or Sales Engineering teams, specifically in balancing deep technical expertise with a strong business-oriented mindset. Coaching : Ability to coach team members on how to effectively communicate complex technical value propositions to non-technical stakeholders. Strategic Sales Collaboration : Demonstrated track record of partnering with KAM and AM teams to drive business growth. Must understand the dynamics of the sales cycle and know how to strategically position technical resources to win large-scale projects. Account Strategy : Experience in developing joint account strategies with sales leaders, ensuring technical alignment with the customer's long-term business goals. Cross-Functional Orchestration : Deep understanding of how to bridge the gap between technical feasibility and commercial requirements, acting as a "Trusted Advisor" to both internal sales teams and external partners. Education & Technical Background Education : Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Professional Experience : Over 10 years of experience in sales in the IT industry/company. IT Literacy : Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook). Language & Values Japanese : Native level or JLPT N1 certification required. English : TOEIC score of 730 or above is preferred (Strongly desired for communication with global teams). Core Values : Ability to demonstrate and provide specific evidence. Benefits Career Development & Leadership Growth A Gateway to People Management : This role offers an exceptional opportunity to transition from an individual contributor to a leadership role, providing a solid foundation for your career as a People Manager. Leadership Excellence : You will have the chance to refine your leadership and coaching skills through practical experience and internal training programs. Global Career Path : Success in this position opens doors to advanced management opportunities within Axis’ extensive global network. Impactful Leadership : You will play a key role in shaping the team’s culture and success, directly contributing to the growth of Axis Japan. General Benefits Work-life-balance : Company prefers to work efficiently and effectively, minimizing overtime. Employees here can enjoy a good sense of work-life balance. Hybrid working : Flexibility with 3 days in office and 2 days WFH available. Comprehensive Support : Access to Mental Health and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits. Global Market Leader : Work for a fast-growing international company and market leader in network video, operating independently with the strong financial backing of the Canon Group. Great Place to Work : Axis is proud to be a "Great Place to Work" certified company. Corporate Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnQasRVqI34 Type of Employment Permanent Employment Posting End Date 2026-07-12 Certain roles at Axis require background checks, which means applicable verifications will be done in these recruitments. Notice will be provided before we take any action. About Axis Communications We enable a smarter, safer world by creating innovative solutions for improving security and business performance. As a network technology company and industry leader, we offer solutions in video surveillance, access control, intercom, and audio systems, enhanced by intelligent analytics applications. With around 6000 committed employees in over 50 countries, we collaborate with partners worldwide. Together, we thrive in our friendly, open, and collaborative culture and inspire each other to think beyond the expected. United by our commitment to inclusion, diversity, and sustainability, we consistently seek to develop our skills and way of working. Let´s create a smarter, safer world For more information about Axis, please visit our website www.axis.com . Listen to Get To Know Axis – Podcast