Senior Business Development Manager, Automotive

About the role

You will spearhead the strategic development of key Japanese OEM and Tier 1 partnerships in the automotive sector, translating Mapbox's real-time location platform into differentiated mobility solutions. This role places you at the center of industry transformation, where you will architect navigation, ADAS, and automated driving strategies with enterprise-grade precision. You will own the end-to-end consultative sales cycle, guiding customers from initial concept exploration through to complex contract execution. Your work will directly influence the in-car experiences of millions by shaping how drivers, packages, and vehicles interact with the road in real time. You will act as the primary strategic advisor, aligning Mapbox technology with the long-term business ambitions of marquee automotive brands. This position demands fluency in both Japanese and English to navigate technical and executive-level discussions seamlessly. You will leverage deep market insight to position location technology as a core differentiator in the future of mobility.

Key facts

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Develop first of a kind opportunities with key accounts and advise customers on their location product strategy for navigation and automated driving products and lead complex proposal processes (RFI/RFQ/RFP) end to end.

Build and foster connections with key senior decision makers, building lasting relationships between our partners and Mapbox.

Shape and translate the Mapbox value proposition specifically for the Japan market.

Combine Mapbox building blocks with deep customer knowledge to present compelling technical solutions with clear business outcomes, particularly around in-car navigation, mobile companion applications, automated driving, augmented reality and electric vehicle routing.

Involve the Mapbox product leadership directly in the business development process to shape our technical roadmap.

Own the identification and qualification of new automotive opportunities, ensuring alignment with strategic account plans and portfolio priorities.

Champion Mapbox capabilities within the automotive ecosystem, engaging suppliers and technology partners to expand our reach and influence.

Analyze competitive landscapes and formulate positioning strategies that highlight the unique advantages of Mapbox navigation and location technology.

Guide customers through the entire procurement and implementation journey, ensuring technical requirements are met and business outcomes are realized.

Drive the creation of business cases and ROI models that justify large scale adoption of location services within customer organizations.

Maintain up to date knowledge of automotive industry trends, regulations, and standards impacting the deployment of connected vehicle technologies.

Collaborate with internal teams to deliver presentations, proof of concepts, and technical demonstrations that support the sales process.

Establish and monitor key performance indicators for strategic accounts to identify growth opportunities and ensure mutual success.

Act as a senior representative of Mapbox in all external engagements, reinforcing the brand's commitment to innovation and reliability.

Requirements

Japanese and English proficiency required (verbal and written).

10+ years of experience developing and negotiating complex deals involving a technical product.

Consultative and solutions-oriented sales approach.

Strong technical sales aptitude demonstrated through a combination of industry experience, size, and complexity of deals closed (you'll be focused on seven and eight figure opportunities), and rapport with engineers and product owners.

Ability to manage complex customer relationships, developing trust and influence with engineers & developers, and up to C-level leadership.

Ability to collaborate across Mapbox teams including engineering, support, and marketing to close business and ensure successful customer launches.

Deep curiosity, empathy, and grit - we're partnering with our customers to solve hard problems, and we win as a team.

Please submit your resume and application in English.

Practical notes

Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week).

About Mapbox

Mapbox is hiring for Senior Business Development Manager, Automotive. The listing location is Mapbox Japan.

This Senior Business Development Manager, Automotive opening is posted for Mapbox Japan.