Strategic SEO Manager, Japan

Since we opened our doors in 2009, the world of commerce has evolved immensely, and so has Square. After enabling anyone to take payments and never miss a sale, we saw sellers stymied by disparate, outmoded products and tools that wouldn't work together.

So we expanded into software and started building integrated, omnichannel solutions – to help sellers sell online, manage inventory, offer buy now, pay later functionality, book appointments, engage loyal buyers, and hire and pay staff. Across it all, we've embedded financial services tools at the point of sale, so merchants can access a business loan and manage their cash flow in one place. Afterpay furthers our goal to provide omnichannel tools that unlock meaningful value and growth, enabling sellers to capture the next generation shopper, increase order sizes, and compete at a larger scale.

Today, we are a partner to sellers of all sizes – large, enterprise-scale businesses with complex operations, sellers just starting, as well as merchants who began selling with Square and have grown larger over time. As our sellers grow, so do our solutions. There is a massive opportunity in front of us. We're building a significant, meaningful, and lasting business, and we are helping sellers worldwide do the same.

The Role

Our Japan Marketing team is focused on accelerating business growth by driving high-quality leads and conversions through full-funnel marketing programs. We work closely with global and Japanese stakeholders to execute strategies that resonate with our target audiences.

We are seeking an experienced Strategic SEO Manager to lead our organic growth initiatives in Japan. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of Japan's digital acquisition strategy by combining world-class SEO expertise with a deep understanding of localized web experiences. You will be responsible for driving sustainable organic traffic growth, improving site usability, and creating culturally resonant online experiences tailored for Japanese audiences.

You Will:

• Develop and execute SEO strategies that drive organic acquisition in Japan.
• Own keyword research, content optimization, and technical SEO initiatives.
• Partner with global SEO teams to align best practices while adapting them for the Japanese market.
• Lead web optimization initiatives to ensure the site reflects Japanese user behavior and cultural preferences.
• Collaborate with design, engineering, and content teams to improve site usability, navigation, and conversion flows.
• Implement a continuous testing and iteration framework to enhance performance across product websites.
• Work closely with Demand Generation, Product Marketing, and Analytics to ensure integrated acquisition strategies.
• Advocate for Japan-specific needs within global campaigns, ensuring alignment and impact.
• Share insights, data, and best practices to influence strategy across markets.
• Define and track KPIs related to organic growth, site performance, and user engagement.
• Run A/B and multivariate tests to optimize content, landing pages, and conversion funnels.
• Translate data insights into actionable improvements.

You Have:

• Business-level English and native-level Japanese
• 5+ years of experience in SEO and/or web optimization in Japan or for Japanese audiences.
• Proven track record of improving organic traffic and conversion performance.
• Strong understanding of Japanese web design trends, user behaviors, and cultural nuances.
• Experience running structured experimentation programs (A/B testing, CRO frameworks).
• Ability to analyze data and translate insights into strategic recommendations.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to coordinate across multiple stakeholders.

Nice to Have:

• Experience working in a B2B SaaS or tech environment
• Familiarity with Japan-specific digital channels or media platforms (e.g., LINE, Yahoo! Japan)

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