Partnerships Lead - DMO

About the role

You will own the end-to-end strategy and execution of supplier marketing programs for the North East Asia region, placing Japan at the core of your focus. You will translate global marketing objectives into locally resonant campaigns that drive measurable growth in Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) and supply onboarding. You will act as the primary interface between GetYourGuide and key destination marketing organizations, ensuring partnerships translate into tangible business outcomes. You will secure and manage external sponsorship funding from tourism boards and public-sector stakeholders to subsidize customer acquisition. You will build and maintain deep strategic relationships with top attractions, tour operators, and key ecosystem stakeholders in the Japanese market. You will lead cross-functional collaboration to deliver high-impact joint marketing initiatives on time and to a high quality bar.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Own the NEA supply marketing strategy with a strong focus on Japan, adapting global frameworks to local market dynamics, partner needs, and growth priorities.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with top attractions, tour operators, and key ecosystem stakeholders, including government agencies and destination tourism bodies.
• Develop and manage a destination/DMO partnership pipeline to secure external sponsorship support that subsidizes customer acquisition and drives GMV volume for GetYourGuide.
• Create, pitch, negotiate, and execute joint marketing initiatives such as co-marketing campaigns, seasonal demand pushes, product launches, and always-on visibility packages.
• Partner closely with Sales and Supply leadership to support supplier acquisition and development, using marketing and destination partnerships as levers to unlock strategic relationships.
• Convert destination partner relationships into scalable supply acceleration through one-to-many onboarding initiatives, warm introductions, whitelists, and partner-enabled lead generation.
• Lead end-to-end program execution by working cross-functionally with campaign managers and internal marketing teams to ensure timely, high-quality delivery.
• Develop high-impact narratives and presentations that translate partner goals into compelling proposals with clear value propositions and measurable outcomes.
• Track performance and iterate by defining success metrics, reporting on results, and continuously improving programs based on insights and partner feedback.
• Identify new sponsorship and partnership opportunities within the Japanese tourism ecosystem to expand GetYourGuide's reach and influence.
• Serve as the key strategic advisor to internal stakeholders on the nuances of the Japanese market, ensuring all programs are culturally and contextually relevant.
• Collaborate with legal and finance teams to structure partnership agreements that align with local regulations and business objectives.
• Act as a thought leader within the organization by sharing market insights, best practices, and success stories from the Japan region.
• Mentor junior team members on supplier marketing best practices and cross-functional collaboration techniques.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in B2B marketing, partnerships, business development, sales, supplier/account management, or strategic programs, with agency experience considered if you have led complex partner programs.
• Fluent in Japanese and English, demonstrating the ability to confidently present, negotiate, and build trust in Japanese business settings.
• Critical: hands-on experience working with Japanese businesses in Japan, not only with overseas branches, showing a deep understanding of local business norms, relationship-building practices, and decision-making processes.
• Proven ability to develop and execute multi-channel marketing programs that drive measurable business outcomes in a B2B environment.
• Strong track record of managing complex stakeholder relationships and influencing without direct authority across diverse teams and cultures.
• Demonstrated success in securing external sponsorship and partnership funding from public-sector and governmental organizations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft high-stakes narratives for executive-level audiences.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and deliverables in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Experience working with data and analytics to measure campaign performance and inform optimization decisions.
• Willingness to travel regionally to support partner meetings, industry events, and on-the-ground program execution in Japan and surrounding markets.

Nice to have

• Experience with destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and tourism boards in the Asia Pacific region.
• Background in the travel, tourism, or leisure industry working with supply-side partners.
• Familiarity with local Japanese marketing channels, media, and cultural nuances specific to consumer engagement.
• Experience managing budgets and negotiating commercial terms with suppliers and partners.
• Prior success in scaling supplier onboarding programs through partnership-led initiatives.

Practical notes

Travel to regional destinations in Japan and surrounding markets may be required for partner meetings and industry events. Visa support will be provided for international hires. This role requires a high level of adaptability to navigate the unique characteristics of the Japanese market.