Corporate Secretary

About the company

This opportunity is with a provider of fund and corporate services supporting funds and corporate entities. Its work in Japan spans corporate governance and secretarial services for a range of structures, including KK, GK, GK-TK and TMK entities.

Based in Tokyo, this permanent role offers the opportunity to lead the local corporate secretarial function and contribute to high-quality governance services for clients. The position combines practical delivery with team leadership and close collaboration with clients, Japanese professional advisers and regional and global colleagues. It will suit a senior professional who values sound governance, clear communication and dependable execution, and who is motivated to develop a team while building strong working relationships across a diverse client portfolio.

What the job entails

As Vice President, Corporate Secretarial Services, you will lead the local team in Japan while remaining closely involved in the delivery and review of corporate secretarial work. You will oversee governance services for funds and corporate entities, ensuring that statutory obligations, client requirements and delivery timelines are managed effectively.

Your responsibilities will include managing client relationships, coordinating concurrent workstreams and acting as a key link between Japanese-speaking stakeholders and regional and global teams. You will oversee Japanese entity lifecycle matters, work with judicial scriveners, and support bank account openings, including KYC processes and liaison with banks. You will also coach team members, review their work and contribute to their performance and development. The role is based in Tokyo.

Key requirements

• At least eight years’ experience in corporate secretarial services, corporate governance or fund administration, including four or more years in a supervisory role.
• Strong knowledge of Japanese corporate governance and statutory requirements, including the Companies Act and Commercial Registration Act.
• Fluency in Japanese and English, both written and spoken.
• Understanding of fund administration, funds and SPV structures, with experience across Japanese entity lifecycles.
• Hands-on corporate secretarial capability, including work review and team leadership.
• Experience working with judicial scriveners and supporting bank account openings in Japan, including KYC and bank liaison.
• Strong people leadership, coordination and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to manage concurrent workstreams and engage senior clients.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in law, business, finance or a related discipline.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Qualification as a judicial scrivener (shiho-shoshi) and established relationships with judicial scrivener firms would be advantageous.