Expansion Manager, Japan & South Korea (all genders)

Distribusion is the world’s leading ground transportation marketplace and gives travellers seamless access to ground transportation online, from search to ticket purchase. We have built a cutting-edge B2B technology platform that connects bus, rail, and ferry operators in 70+ countries with the biggest online retailers, including Google Maps and Booking.com.

We are shaping the future of travel and building the largest global network of transport providers and retailers. We are one of the fastest-growing startups in travel, backed by leading venture capital investors including TQ Ventures, Lightrock, Creandum, and Northzone, and are headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Following our recent $80m Series C funding, we are ready to push beyond

We are accelerating growth in North Asia and are searching for an Expansion Manager - Japan & South Korea; a hunter role with a mandate to launch and scale new commercial partnerships with ground transportation Carriers and Retailers.  This position will report directly to the Head of International Expansion.

What you will do:

• Hunt and sign Carriers as Distribusion partners; negotiate marketplace, front-end and back-end commercial agreements 

• Build and execute a market entry plan for South Korea ground transport: engage Korail and private bus operators

• Contract B2C and B2B Retailers in both markets: OTAs, travel agencies, TMCs, inbound-specialist operators; own the full commercial lifecycle from outreach to go-live

• Own post-signature execution for all Retailers: onboarding, integration support, incubation, performance ramp-up, and long-term revenue expansion

• Drive sales and revenue growth by securing high-impact partnerships that align with Distribusion's strategic goals in Northeast Asia

• Collaborate with internal teams - BD, Integrations, Product, Finance - to develop tailored solutions and bring partners live on the platform

• Proactively identify workarounds within our tech stack to unlock additional growth

• Remove blockers, escalate early, and maintain high execution velocity

• Report to the Head of International Expansion as part of the Global Markets portfolio; contribute to cross-market BD intelligence and best practices.

Workplace: Japan / South Korea & Remote

Who you are:

• 5+ years in travel-tech, with direct experience in the Japanese and/or South Korean market

• Proven track record closing commercial agreements with rail or transport operators; existing relationships with JR group entities are a strong advantage

• Deep understanding of the North Asia travel landscape: key Carrier and Retailer players, inbound travel dynamics, regulatory environment, and distribution infrastructure

• Hunter profile: you open doors, run commercial negotiations, and close agreements independently

• Proven track record scaling strategic accounts and driving measurable revenue growth post-signature

• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills; ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify market opportunities and make data-driven decisions

• International exposure: experience working with global teams in a high-performance environment

• High agency: finds solutions and does not get stuck

• Native-level Japanese fluency (mandatory); Korean language fluency is a strong plus; fluent in English (spoken and written)

• Willingness to travel across APAC to meet partners and attend industry events.
  

What you can expect:

• You will join a fast-paced travel tech company and take on a rapidly growing industry.

• You will take on ownership and responsibility from day one and have a direct impact on the success of the company.

• We value agility! We’re constantly updating our tech stack and offer the best possible tools to ensure all of our in-house engineers, partners, and carriers benefit from cutting-edge, efficient solutions.

• You will work with global companies. Our product attracts the biggest names in travel technology, such as MoMo, Zalo Pay, Google Maps, and national carriers like Phuong Trang and Vietnam Rail.

• You will join an international team of talented and driven people with a clear mission. Expect your colleagues to inspire, support, and challenge you every day!

• We offer flexible and remote working conditions, relocation opportunities, and career growth in a small and developing company.
  
  

Our hiring process for this role:
For any queries, please reach out to your Talent Partner at (talent@distribusion.com).