About the Opportunity
Job Type: Permanent
Application Deadline: 31 December 2026
Job Description
Title Associate Director, Product Development and Management
Department Product Development and Management, Japan
Location Tokyo, Japan
Reports To Co-Head of Product Development & Management
Level Grade 7
We’re proud to have been helping our clients build better financial futures for over 50 years. How have we achieved this? By working together - and supporting each other - all over the world. So, join our team and feel like you’re part of something bigger.
About your team
The Japan Product Development and Management Team is responsible for shaping and executing the product strategy that supports FIL’s growth ambitions in Japan. The team oversees product development, implementation, product governance, lifecycle management, market intelligence, as well as supporting local distribution strategies.
Working closely with Distribution, Investment Management, and key internal and external stakeholders, the team develops and evolves the product offering to meet changing client needs, regulatory requirements, and market opportunities while maintaining a strong product governance framework.
About your role
You will be part of a dynamic Product Development team that drives business growth through the development, management, and commercialization of investment products and solutions for intermediary and institutional clients.
The Japan Product Development and Management Team is seeking an Associate Director to lead strategic product initiatives spanning ideation and development and proactively contribute to product implementation and ongoing management in partnership with colleagues, ensuring successful business outcomes across the product lifecycle.
In this role, you will be expected to take ownership of key strategic initiatives, working with a high degree of autonomy while partnering effectively across functions to deliver successful outcomes. You will exercise sound judgment, manage risks proactively, and contribute to shaping the Japan product agenda and business growth. As a senior member of the team, you will also coach and support junior colleagues while partnering with senior leaders to develop team capabilities. Given the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, you will work closely with internal stakeholders and actively contribute to industry initiatives to help position FIL to respond to evolving market and regulatory developments.
Key Responsibilities
Drive the evolution of the Japan product suite by identifying commercial opportunities and developing market-relevant products and solutions in partnership with Distribution, Investment Management, and Product Development team in other regions.
Provide strategic product recommendations to senior management based on market opportunities, client demand, competitive developments, and investment capabilities.
Lead the design and development of new investment products and solutions, including investment objectives, fund structure, pricing, distribution policy, and disclosure requirements.
Develop robust business cases to support strategic product initiatives for the Japan intermediary and institutional businesses.
Lead strategic product initiatives, including new fund launches, fund closures, corporate actions, and product rationalisation, ensuring effective execution and appropriate risk management.
Partner closely with colleagues responsible for product implementation and ongoing management to deliver successful business outcomes across the product lifecycle.
Monitor capital market developments, asset flows, peer activity, academic and industry research, and emerging market trends to identify new product opportunities.
Monitor regulatory developments affecting the investment management industry and proactively contribute to industry initiatives and discussions in partnership with Compliance and other internal stakeholders.
Lead internal…