Content Acquisitions Associate

About the role

You will act as the primary liaison between Crunchyroll and its Japanese and international licensors, driving the acquisition of titles that define seasonal simulcast slates and long-term catalog strategy. In this position, you own the end-to-end negotiation and management of content partnerships, ensuring that each deal aligns with both creative ambition and commercial objectives. You will analyze market data and industry trends to identify high-potential content and position Crunchyroll as the leading international distributor of Japanese anime. The role requires you to translate complex contractual and production details into clear, actionable insights for internal stakeholders across multiple departments. You will also act as a strategic advisor to the Content Evaluation and Business Affairs teams, helping to refine acquisition criteria based on performance and audience feedback. Success in this role depends on your ability to build trust with partner teams, resolve issues proactively, and maintain a consistent pipeline of content that excites global audiences. You will report directly to the Director, Content Acquisitions and play a key role in shaping the future of anime distribution from the Crunchyroll hub in Tokyo.

Key facts

What you'll do

Initiate and lead conversations with Japanese and international partners to gather detailed production schedules and uncover new collaboration opportunities that strengthen Crunchyroll's distribution network.

Manage day-to-day account relationships with licensors, ensuring clear communication, timely responses, and alignment on strategic priorities for content acquisition.

Coordinate closely with internal departments to uphold contractual obligations, service standards, and operational efficiency across the content workflow.

Develop a comprehensive understanding of Crunchyroll's business functions, including editorial, marketing, and technology, to address complex issues and anticipate market shifts.

Maintain open and proactive communication with licensors to handle bid submissions, respond to requests, and implement solutions while accurately reporting activity and performance metrics.

Work with the Content Evaluation team to assess the artistic, commercial, and audience value of potential acquisitions using data-driven and qualitative methods.

Collaborate with the Business Affairs team to finalize contracts, secure delivery of assets, and ensure all legal and financial terms are met before launch.

Partner with the Marketing team to secure and integrate promotional materials, localization assets, and launch strategies that enhance title performance.

Monitor competitive landscapes and audience behavior to inform acquisition decisions and support long-term growth of the Crunchyroll catalog.

Provide detailed reporting and insights to leadership, highlighting risks, opportunities, and recommendations for optimizing the simulcast and catalog strategy.

Act as a trusted advisor to both internal and external stakeholders, balancing relationship management with rigorous analysis of content value.

Support special initiatives related to emerging formats, new markets, and innovative distribution models as the anime industry continues to evolve.

Requirements

2+ years of successful experience in account management, partner management, business development, or licensing sales within the Entertainment or Anime industry.

Demonstrated history of establishing and nurturing long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships, with a specific focus on working effectively with a Japanese client base.

Proven ability to negotiate with partners to protect and advance Crunchyroll's organizational interests while maintaining strong working relationships.

A strong track record of winning a high percentage of targeted content in competitive acquisition scenarios.

Experience in dissecting proposals, legal agreements, and intellectual property terms to identify key risks and opportunities.

Native-level Business Japanese language skills in speaking, reading, and writing to communicate effectively with Japanese licensors and partners.

Native-level Business English language skills in speaking, reading, and writing to operate fluently in global discussions and negotiations.

Experience working within a globally matrixed organization, managing multiple stakeholders and priorities across time zones.

Capacity to build creative solutions in a fast-moving business environment and dynamic media landscape where content strategies shift frequently.