Field CTO (Japan)

About the role

Datadog is seeking a Field CTO to spearhead our technical go-to-market strategy across Japan. This leadership position involves acting as a primary advisor to executive stakeholders, aligning our platform capabilities with customer business objectives, and driving long-term market expansion. The hire will own the end-to-end technical vision for our Japanese enterprise customers, ensuring that observability and security strategies are framed as critical business enablers rather than just IT initiatives. You will architect the narrative that connects platform adoption to tangible business outcomes such as revenue acceleration, risk mitigation, and operational resilience. This role demands ownership of complex stakeholder ecosystems, guiding C-level audiences through digital transformation journeys with data-backed insights and strategic foresight. You will be the central technical authority shaping how Datadog is perceived in the Japanese market, influencing not just product usage but industry standards. Success in this position will be measured by the depth of executive relationships established and the strategic impact on our market position.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Orchestrate technical go-to-market initiatives for Japan, aligning platform roadmaps with the strategic priorities of CIOs and CTOs.
• Conduct deep-dive industry trend analysis to uncover white-space opportunities and feed insights directly into product development and positioning.
• Establish Datadog as the definitive authority on observability and security thought leadership through executive briefings and public engagements.
• Translate complex platform capabilities into clear ROI narratives, enabling Sales teams to justify technology investments to financial stakeholders.
• Architect and lead Executive Briefing Center sessions, crafting immersive experiences that demonstrate platform value for large-scale organizational challenges.
• Serve as a technical partner to the Sales organization, de-risking deals by providing architectural guidance and opportunity assessment at the highest level.
• Mentor and develop junior solutions architects and engineers, elevating the overall capability of the PSA team in the region.
• Drive the identification and validation of new business use cases, ensuring our platform evolves with the needs of Japanese enterprises.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management to influence feature prioritization based on real-world customer feedback and competitive dynamics.
• Support the strategic expansion of the PSA team by partnering with HR and leadership in the recruitment of high-caliber technical talent.

Requirements

• Bring a minimum of 15 years of cumulative experience in enterprise or application architecture, demonstrating consistent execution at scale.
• Possess deep technical knowledge of observability and security platforms, coupled with a thorough understanding of the Japanese technological landscape and regulatory environment.
• Demonstrate a proven track record of influencing Vice President and C-level stakeholders within large, complex enterprise organizations.
• Exhibit native proficiency in Japanese and strong English communication skills, both written and spoken, to navigate executive-level discourse.
• Hold a Bachelor degree in engineering or a related technical field, providing the foundational knowledge necessary for this strategic role.
• Show the ability to travel up to 50% of the time, utilizing air, train, or auto to engage with stakeholders across Japan and internationally.
• Display strong judgment and independence, capable of making informed decisions in ambiguous situations with limited oversight.
• Commit to upholding Datadog's standards of excellence, integrity, and collaboration in all professional interactions.

Nice to have

• Hold a Master degree in engineering or a related discipline, providing advanced theoretical and practical knowledge.

Practical notes

• This is a hybrid role that emphasizes office-based collaboration within our Tokyo environment.
• The position offers comprehensive benefits, including global health coverage, new hire stock equity (RSUs), an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), and structured professional development programs.
• Datadog is committed to providing an exceptional onboarding experience, supported by internal mentorship opportunities designed to accelerate success.
• Requisition ID: R17390.

This role represents a significant opportunity for a seasoned technical leader to shape the future of observability and security in Japan. You will not simply execute tasks; you will define the strategic narrative that drives digital transformation for some of the region's most influential organizations. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic, high-impact environment where technical acumen meets executive-level communication. Success requires a balance of deep architectural expertise and the ability to build trust with the most senior decision-makers in the market. You will be expected to challenge the status quo, offering bold insights grounded in data and platform capabilities. The position demands resilience, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to excellence in every interaction. If you are ready to lead at the intersection of technology and business strategy, this is the role where you can make a lasting impact. The hybrid work model is designed to foster close collaboration and team cohesion, ensuring you are embedded within a high-performing community of experts. This is more than a job; it is a chance to define a new standard for technical leadership in the Japanese enterprise landscape.