IT Manager - Infrastructure & Luxury Retail | Tokyo

Join an internationally recognised luxury consumer brand as an IT Manager based in Tokyo, taking responsibility for the management, performance and continuous improvement of the company's IT operations across Japan.

This permanent opportunity combines IT infrastructure management, IT operations, end-user support, information security, project management, vendor management and stakeholder engagement within a global retail and consumer business.

You will serve as the primary IT contact for the Japan business, ensuring that local technology services support day-to-day operations while maintaining close alignment with regional and global IT strategies.

A central responsibility will be overseeing IT infrastructure, networks, systems, workplace technologies and end-user support, helping maintain a reliable, secure and efficient technology environment for employees and business operations.

The role requires a practical, hands-on approach to IT management. You will be expected to understand operational issues, coordinate effective resolutions and ensure that local IT services meet the needs of business users.

You will also act as a key liaison between Japan-based business stakeholders and regional/global IT teams, translating local business requirements into practical technology solutions and supporting the implementation of global IT initiatives.

Alongside operational responsibilities, you will lead local IT projects, international technology rollouts and continuous improvement initiatives, helping modernise systems and strengthen IT service delivery.

The position includes responsibility for IT vendors, external service providers, technology procurement, software licensing, budgets and equipment lifecycle management, ensuring that IT resources are managed effectively.

You will oversee the reliability and security of IT systems, networks, devices and workplace technologies, supporting compliance with corporate policies and relevant IT governance requirements.

Working closely with senior business stakeholders, you will contribute to technology planning, IT investment priorities and the local IT roadmap, ensuring that technology initiatives align with the organisation's business objectives.

The role offers exposure to global technology programmes, retail IT environments and digital transformation initiatives, with opportunities to support both local operational improvements and wider international projects.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced IT Manager, IT Infrastructure Manager, Senior IT Specialist or IT Operations professional who wants to combine hands-on technical leadership with strategic business engagement in a global luxury retail environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of IT operations across Japan, ensuring reliable infrastructure, effective end-user support and consistent IT service delivery.
• Manage local IT infrastructure, systems administration, networking, workplace technology and information security activities.
• Act as the primary liaison between local business stakeholders and regional/global IT teams, ensuring clear communication and alignment.
• Gather and translate local business requirements into practical technology solutions and IT service improvements.
• Lead local IT projects, global technology deployments and infrastructure improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate the implementation of regional and global IT policies, systems and technology standards within the Japan business.
• Manage IT vendors, external service providers and technology partners, monitoring service quality and operational requirements.
• Oversee IT procurement, software licensing, technology budgets and equipment lifecycle management.
• Maintain the reliability, availability and security of IT systems, networks, end-user devices and workplace technologies.
• Support effective IT security, compliance, governance and risk management in line with global corporate requirements.
• Monitor IT service performance, identify operational issues and coordinate timely troubleshooting and problem resolution.
• Drive IT process improvements, service standards and operational efficiency across the local technology environment.
• Partner with senior business stakeholders on technology planning, business priorities and the Japan IT roadmap.
• Collaborate with regional and global technology teams to support international IT initiatives and digital transformation projects.
• Ensure that local IT capabilities continue to support business operations, user productivity and the organisation's growth in Japan.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Experience:

• 5+ years of professional experience as an IT Manager, IT Infrastructure Manager, Senior IT Specialist or in a comparable IT leadership or operations role.
• Strong practical knowledge of IT infrastructure, networking, systems administration and enterprise IT operations.
• Experience overseeing end-user support and IT service delivery in a business environment.
• Understanding of IT security principles, system reliability and operational risk management.
• Hands-on experience managing IT vendors, external service providers and technology suppliers.
• Experience with IT budgets, procurement, licensing or technology asset management.
• Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating IT projects and technology implementation activities.
• Experience collaborating with regional or global IT teams within a multinational organisation.
• Ability to manage local IT operations while maintaining alignment with global technology standards and business requirements.

Soft Skills:

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with business leadership.
• Hands-on, practical approach to IT operations, troubleshooting and problem-solving.
• Ability to balance technical priorities, business needs and operational service requirements.
• Strong ownership, accountability and organisational skills when managing a broad range of IT responsibilities.
• Collaborative working style suited to international and multicultural business environments.
• Proactive approach to continuous improvement, service reliability and technology problem resolution.
• Ability to communicate technical issues and proposed solutions clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Language Requirements:

• Japanese: Fluent proficiency required for local business stakeholder engagement, IT operations and user communication.
• English: Fluent proficiency required for collaboration with regional and global IT teams, international stakeholders and technology projects.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Familiarity with Microsoft Azure and enterprise cloud infrastructure environments.
• Practical knowledge of Windows systems and Apple devices within corporate IT environments.
• Experience with endpoint management, device administration and network operations.
• Exposure to retail or store technology, including Point of Sale (POS) systems and store connectivity.
• Knowledge of IT security, compliance, governance and corporate technology standards.
• Previous experience in luxury goods, retail, consumer brands or multinational business environments.
• Experience supporting global technology rollouts or international IT implementation projects.
• Exposure to digital transformation initiatives and IT infrastructure modernisation.
• Understanding of IT service management and operational improvement practices.

About the Company

Our client is an internationally recognised luxury consumer brand with a strong global presence and an established business in Japan.

The organisation operates within the premium consumer and retail sector, where reliable technology services play an important role in supporting employees, business functions and day-to-day operations.

As the company continues to develop its business in Japan, it is seeking an experienced IT Manager to oversee local technology operations and strengthen coordination with regional and global IT teams.

The position offers broad responsibility across IT infrastructure, end-user support, information security, vendor management, technology projects and local IT governance.

The successful candidate will work closely with Japan-based business leadership and international technology stakeholders, helping ensure that local requirements are effectively represented within the wider organisation.

The company places importance on maintaining a stable, secure and efficient IT environment, while supporting the adoption of global technology standards and continuous service improvements.

Its international operating model provides opportunities to collaborate on global IT programmes, technology deployments and transformation initiatives, combining local business ownership with exposure to wider organisational priorities.

Joining this organisation offers the opportunity to play a central role in supporting business continuity, operational efficiency and future growth within an established global luxury brand.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Take ownership of IT operations for Japan within an internationally recognised luxury consumer business.
• Work closely with local business leadership and regional/global IT teams.
• Serve as the primary technology contact for the Japan organisation.
• Enjoy a broad role spanning IT infrastructure, systems, networking, end-user support and information security.
• Lead technology projects and global IT rollouts that directly support business operations.
• Combine hands-on technical responsibilities with business-facing stakeholder management.
• Manage IT vendors, service providers, technology procurement and operational budgets.
• Influence local IT planning, service improvements and technology priorities.
• Contribute to maintaining secure, reliable and efficient IT services.
• Gain exposure to international technology standards, IT governance and corporate security practices.
• Work in a multinational business environment with regular collaboration across Japan and overseas teams.
• Support digital transformation and infrastructure improvement initiatives.
• Develop experience in luxury retail and consumer technology operations.
• Build a long-term career in IT management, infrastructure leadership and global technology operations through a permanent position in Tokyo.

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