Japan Desk Coordinator - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge Innovation Center is seeking to hire a full-time, early career Japan Desk Coordinator to support the growing Japan Desk initiative in Cambridge, MA. This person will work closely with the Japan Desk's Program Managers, who serve as a touchpoint for Japanese companies seeking to tap into CIC and Boston's innovation ecosystem, as well as Boston-based companies looking to connect with Japanese partners. As part of CIC Catalyst, our consulting arm, this role may also support programming for international partners beyond Japan.

ABOUT CIC CATALYST

CIC Catalyst is the strategic advisory and programming arm of CIC. It designs, operates, and manages innovation hubs and ecosystem programs that drive competitive specialization, sustainable growth, and impact. Catalyst provides advisory and programming to governments, corporations, and universities, grounded in 25+ years of hands-on operational experience and deep global ecosystem connections. To date, Catalyst has delivered 100+ programs and cohorts globally across CIC campuses, supporting 700+ startups, facilitating 500+ corporate-startup meetings, running 50+ technology scouting programs, and supporting 10+ government agencies through market-entry programs.

ABOUT CIC’S JAPAN DESK

CIC’s mission is to help fix the world through innovation—and we believe one way to do that is by building connections between innovation ecosystems across borders. Given the scale of both economies and the cultural and language barriers that can exist, CIC sees a high-potential opportunity in strengthening ties between Japanese and American innovators.

To that end, CIC launched the Japan Desk in 2016. Based at our Boston innovation campus, the Japan Desk serves as a dedicated entry point for Japanese and Japan-adjacent companies. In partnership with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Consulate General of Japan in Boston, and others, we support Japanese CIC members in Greater Boston by offering Japanese-language tours, personalized briefings, and introductions to key players in the local innovation ecosystem. We also encourage Boston-based startups to explore opportunities in the Japan market.

Learn more about us here .

• YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK
• As a Japan Desk Coordinator you will be responsible for supporting programs and activities at the Japan Desk aimed at helping Japanese startups explore opportunities for Boston expansion, and helping Japanese corporations establish their local presence and connections in the Boston/Cambridge ecosystem, while working closely with our Japan Desk Team and reporting to the Senior Program Manager, Japan Desk. As part of CIC's consulting arm (Catalyst), you will also support programming for international partners beyond Japan, contributing to a growing portfolio of soft landing and market access programs.

Potential responsibilities will include:

Assisting with administrative details of acceleration programs in partnership with government offices and institutions such as JETRO, prefectural governments, and universities, including tracking attendance, tracking completion of homework and other assignments, and helping with logistics for in-person programming (e.g., ordering food, setting up event spaces, reserving transportation, etc.)

Drafting feedback surveys and generating reports documenting the outcomes of programs for our government and partner organizations

Bridging international companies' needs to CIC and affiliate organizations (i.e. Venture Café, Captains of Innovation) and serving as an ambassador for the CIC brand and product

Contributing to organizing events ranging from casual meetups to conferences in collaboration with the Japanese Consulate and other external partners, both in Cambridge/Boston and in Japan

Supporting the design and delivery of Catalyst market access programs for international partner organizations, contributing to program logistics, participant coordination, and reporting

Serving as a face for the Japan Desk team at programs and events organized by the team

• ABOUT YOU
• You're a natural connector and networker who isn't just looking for a job - you're looking for a mission. You have a passion for startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship, you're naturally drawn to a dynamic, continually-evolving environment, and you're a personable team player who's happy to help others. You're reliable and trustworthy with a growth mindset, and you genuinely want to support the expansion of Japanese and other international companies to the US market and beyond.

More specifically, as our ideal candidate, you are:

A strong relationship builder and communicator, with stakeholders ranging from solo entrepreneurs to government authorities to large corporations

Detail oriented and able to accurately and simultaneously track detailed reporting requirements from partners across multiple projects

Able to support multiple projects at the same time, self-direct, and anticipate problems and needs, while facilitating and maintaining smooth communication with outside stakeholders

YOU HAVE

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

At least 1 year of professional experience; experience working with Japanese companies or Japanese government agencies is preferred

English proficiency at a professional level is required. Advanced Japanese proficiency (equivalent to JLPT N2 or above) is preferred. This includes the ability to understand spoken and written business Japanese and to communicate effectively in professional settings.

Willingness to travel as needed

Availability to work onsite at the Cambridge, MA office 2 to 3 days per week; on days when in-person programming is held, working onsite is required all day

Flexibility to regularly (i.e., 2-3 days per week) work outside of normal working hours (e.g. early morning and late evening) to accommodate Japanese partners, due to the time difference between Japan and the US

If you don't meet all the requirements or qualifications but bring some other unique skills and experience that would be valuable in this role, please apply and highlight those attributes for us in your cover letter.

OUR OFFER

Starting compensation is $61,250

100% company-paid premium healthcare and dental benefits.

100% company-paid long- and short-term disability, and life insurance.

401k (must be 21+).

23 days of PTO accrued annually (more with seniority), plus thirteen paid holidays

ATTRACTIONS OF THE JOB

In addition to helping our clients achieve great things, we work to ensure that our employees are healthy and supported. Some of the benefits of being here include:

Fun people in a dynamic space . We pride ourselves on finding driven and bright collaborators who are eager to lend their own unique skills to the team, as well as to our inspiring clientele. The number one reason CICers say they like working here is because of their colleagues!

Personal growth. This is a great opportunity to learn and develop skills within the epicenter of the innovation community at a growing company.

Access to a nursing room, secure bicycle parking, shower rooms with towels, and discounted services and memberships on resources to make your life happier/healthier such as gym memberships, tech and design support, hotel stays, and other fantastic options.

Central location. CIC Cambridge is a stone’s throw from the Kendall Square MBTA Red Line stop. CIC Boston is centrally located in downtown Boston and is within walking distance to the Blue, Green, Orange, and Red line.

WHO WE ARE

At CIC, our values aren't a poster on the wall - they shape how we work, how we hire, and how we show up for each other every day. You'll hear about them throughout our recruitment process:

We are good humans — respect, kindness, and accountability in every interaction

We are happy to help — we step forward with care, energy, and pride in our work

We are problem solvers — curious, growth-minded, and always looking for a better way

We are resilient — st