Senior Operations Manager (TOKYO)

Location
Suginami
Workplace
Hybrid

About this role

Since 1998, we've been on a mission to reshape how players interact with their favorite games, growing into a global team of over 12,000 professionals spread across 70+ studios in 26 countries. We are always there to lend a hand to video games developers and publishers by offering a wide range of solutions: from art and audio to testing, localization and finally - Player Engagement - which is one of the fastest-growing Service Lines at Keywords Studios. Player Engagement provides technical support, community management, and trust & safety services for a wide range of AAA and Indie studios in the gaming industry.

Join us in our mission to build engaging player communities and offer outstanding experiences! 🎮🔥

Role Overview

As a Senior Operations Manager, you will lead the strategic and day-to-day operations of multiple projects and client portfolios ranging from Small-to-Medium Businesses (SMBs) to Large Scale Enterprises. You will lead the Tokyo Operations Team, driving high performance across client satisfaction, staffing efficiency, team development, cross-functional collaboration, and operational excellence. Serving as the primary point of operational contact and leadership, you will hold managers accountable, manage P&L levers to achieve target margins, mentor operational leaders, and foster continuous improvement initiatives that directly elevate client and employee satisfaction. This is a high-impact leadership role ideal for an experienced, highly organized operations professional who thrives in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment.

Key ResponsibilitiesClient & Portfolio Leadership
  • Multi-Client Project Management: End-to-end oversight and delivery management of multiple concurrent projects and client accounts spanning Small, Medium, and Large Enterprise businesses.
  • Client Relationship Management: Serve as the primary operational liaison, point of escalation and trusted partner for clients, ensuring transparent, proactive, and strategic communication while swiftly resolving client escalations with professionalism.
  • Contract & SLA Compliance: Ensure all service delivery parameters meet or exceed agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
Team Leadership, Mentorship & Accountability
  • Tokyo Operational Leadership: Direct, empower, and manage the Tokyo Operations Team and Operations Managers, establishing clear performance metrics and holding them accountable to operational standards and KPIs.
  • Mentorship & Career Development: Actively guide, coach, and mentor Operations Managers to foster their leadership capabilities, drive professional growth, and build a high-performing talent pipeline.
  • Performance & Culture Management: Establish robust performance evaluation frameworks, provide ongoing feedback, and champion a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational rigor.
Financial & P&L Oversight
  • P&L & Gross Margin Optimization: Own full Profit & Loss (P&L) responsibility and financial performance for assigned projects; strategically identify and execute operational levers to optimize Gross Margins and fulfill profit targets.
  • Budgeting & Invoicing: Drive financial hygiene across operational budgeting, resource modeling, capacity planning, cost management, and client invoicing.
Cross-Functional & Operational Excellence
  • Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work seamlessly with global and local internal departments—including Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, Finance, IT, Training, to align operational delivery with broader corporate strategy.
  • Time & Resource Management: Demonstrate superior time management and prioritization skills to balance strategic long-term planning with daily operational demands and multi-project execution.
  • Analytics & Continuous Improvement: Analyze operational metrics (CSAT, SLA, Quality, Staffing) using tools such as Tableau, Power BI, and Google Sheets to generate actionable executive insights and optimize delivery workflows.
  • Delegated Leadership Execution: Execute strategic directives assigned by the Player Support Director/Manager and contribute actively to regional and global enterprise initiatives
  • Operational Experience: Minimum of 3–5+ years of leadership experience as an Operations Manager or Senior Operations Manager in a fast-paced BPO, Customer Support, or Player Engagement environment.
  • Bilingual Fluency: High professional proficiency and excellent communication skills in both Japanese and English (spoken and written) for stakeholder engagement, client reporting, and internal leadership.
  • Financial Acumen: Proven track record of managing P&L performance, operational budgets, and applying gross margin levers.
  • Multi-Account Capabilities: Demonstrated ability to manage diverse client portfolios across SMB and Enterprise business models simultaneously.
  • Leadership & Mentorship: Strong record of leading manager-level direct reports, enforcing performance accountability, and actively mentoring operational leaders.
  • Time & Project Management: Superior organizational skills with proven success in managing competing priorities and tight timelines.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skill set with a history of successful collaboration across internal administrative and support departments.
  • Technical Proficiency: High proficiency with MS Office, Google Workspace, and operational/business intelligence tools (Tableau, Power BI, Advanced Google Sheets).
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, or equivalent practical industry experience.
Recruitment Journey
  • Application Review: Resume review and candidacy assessment.
  • Initial Screening: Online interview with Talent Acquisition Specialist.
  • Secondary Interview: Deep-dive interview with Service Line Director / Player Engagement Manager.
  • Offer & Onboarding: Welcome to Keywords Studios as a Keywordian!
  • Note: Additional assessment calls may be scheduled depending on seniority and role requirements. Our hiring process is remote and digital-first.

    • Social insurance (Health insurance, Pension, Unemployment, Worker’s accident compensation)
    • Annual Leave
    • Congratulation or Condolence leave
    • Special Leave
    • Employee Referral Program
    • Numerous internal social events
    • Casual dress and hairstyle
    • No smoking in workspace (designated smoking room available)
      Employee Assistance Program (professional consultation/mental health support program)
    • Relo Club Program (employee benefit program)
    • Commuting Allowance (up to 30,000 yen per month, based on the number of days spent in the office)
    • Telecommuting Allowance (Based on company regulations)

    待遇・福利厚生

    • 社会保険完備
    • 有給休暇
    • 慶弔休暇
    • 特別休暇
    • 社員紹介制度
    • 社内イベント多数 (お花見、BBQ、忘年会などオフラインでのイベントも多数🎉)
    • 服装、髪型自由
    • 屋内原則禁煙(オフィス内に喫煙室あり)
    • EAP従業員支援プログラム
    • 福利厚生プログラム(リロクラブ)
    • 交通費支給(月額 3 万円を上限とし、オフィスへの出社日数に応じて実費支給)
    • 在宅勤務手当(社内規定による)

    勤務時間

    • 勤務時間: 10:00 - 19:00
    • フレックスタイム制 有

    休日休暇:
    【休日】完全週休二日制

    • 土日祝日休み
    • 夏季休暇
    • 冬季休暇
    Privacy Notice

    By applying, you acknowledge that your personal information will be processed in accordance with our Applicant Privacy Notice: Applicant Privacy Notice.

    今回の応募において個人情報をお送りいただくと、弊社の求職者向けプライバシー通知(Applicant Privacy Notice)に則り、ご自身の個人情報が収集、処理されることに同意したとみなされます。

    Keywords is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and supportive working environment.
    Keywords は、多様性を尊重し、インクルーシブでサポート体制の整った職場環境づくりに取り組んでいます。

    Role Information: EN

    Studio: Keywords Studios International Japan

    Location: East APAC, Japan, Tokyo

    Area of Work: Player Engagement

    Service: Engage

    Employment Type: Permanent

    Working Pattern: Full time, Hybrid

    Tired of cold applications?

    Sign up with Clera and we'll reach out the moment a role actually fits you — no more spraying applications into the void.

    Know someone who'd be great for this?

    Top Benefits

    • Social insurance
    • Health insurance
    • Pension
    • Unemployment insurance
    • Worker’s accident compensation
    • Annual leave
    • Congratulation or condolence leave
    • Special leave
    • Employee referral program
    • Internal social events
    • Casual dress and hairstyle
    • Employee assistance program
    • Relo club program
    • Commuting allowance
    • Telecommuting allowance