Strategic Account Director

As a Strategic Account Director, you will be the champion of a long‑term, C‑level partnership with one of SAS’ priority customers. You’ll serve as the strategic voice of the customer inside SAS, and the trusted advisor representing SAS at the highest levels of the client organization. This is a high‑visibility, high‑impact role that goes far beyond sales - it is about shaping customer strategy, driving cross‑functional alignment, and unlocking long‑term value for one of the most sophisticated enterprises in Japan and globally. As a Strategic Account Director, you will: - Own the multi‑year strategic account vision. Build and drive a rolling account strategy that elevates customer value and delivers strong, sustainable revenue across SAS software, cloud, and services. - Engage at the highest levels. Build trusted, multi‑level relationships with senior executives and C‑suite leaders, positioning SAS as a long‑term innovation partner. - Orchestrate a matrixed SAS Account Team — sales, consulting, post‑sales, R&D, hosting, and executive sponsors — to deliver a unified, customer‑centric experience. - Own projects and initiatives across all major lines of business, while leading the engagement with customer and the extended Account Team. - Grow new services revenue by positioning our offerings in close collaboration with Consulting. - Engage with Alliance Partners key to the account to maximize new revenue opportunity and elevate SAS´ strategic position in the account. - Ensure execution of customized Marketing approach with Account-Based Marketing team to deliver a customized engagement strategy that resonates with the customer’s vision and priorities. - Manage high-risk escalation issues for the customer at SAS and drive them to closure, balancing SAS and customer interests. - Work closely with Customers Success, proactively supporting the successful usage of SAS and identifying new use cases to accelerate value realization. - Ensure all applicable security policies and processes are followed to support the organization's secure software development goals. - Embrace curiosity, passion, authenticity and accountability. These are our values and influence everything we do. Required qualifications: - 8+ years' sales experience with at least 2 years in managing complex/ strategic accounts preferably in Banking/ Financial Services vertical. - Full proficiency in Japanese language to liaise with clients and stakeholders in Japan region. Professional fluency in English (written and spoken) is desired. - Strong understanding about the competitive landscape, emerging trends, and the operational priorities of top-tier banks in Japan. You are recognized as a credible, influential voice in this industry vertical. - Proven ability to navigate and close complex, global, multi‑stakeholder deals with a “win‑win” mindset. - Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities; able to guide customers through complexity and build joint transformation roadmaps through consultative leadership. - Excellent commercial acumen and ability to think longer-term. Experience of managing complex commercial and operational circumstances. - Executive presence and EQ – able to modify behaviour to improve impact, build relationships, bring out the best in people around you. - Ability to thrive in a complex, international matrix environment; brings clarity, drives alignment, and leads through influence. - Bachelor's degree, preferably in Business, Marketing, MIS, or other relevant discipline. - Equivalent combination of related education, training and experience may be considered in place of the above qualifications.