Head of Originations – Japan

About Us:

Sand Martins Advisory is a dynamic mid-market M&A advisory business operating across Dubai, the UK, and the US, with plans to expand into Tokyo, Japan. We specialise in facilitating mergers and acquisitions for businesses with turnovers between US$5M and US$30M, providing unparalleled expertise to clients in diverse industries. We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced professional to lead our originations efforts in Japan, focusing on identifying and securing new mandates to take to market. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned M&A professional to shape the business’s presence in one of the world's most dynamic markets.

Key Responsibilities:

    1. Mandate Generation:
    • Actively source, identify, and secure M&A mandates from Japanese businesses with turnovers between US$5M and US$30M.
    • Build and nurture relationships with potential clients, including business owners, investors, and other stakeholders.
    2. Market Development:
    • Develop and implement a robust strategy for entering and growing Sand Martins Advisory’s footprint in the Japanese M&A market.
    • Conduct market research to identify trends, opportunities, and potential challenges within the mid-market segment.
    3. Stakeholder Engagement:
    • Collaborate with colleagues in the US, UK, and Dubai to ensure seamless communication and alignment of objectives.
    • Act as the primary point of contact for Japanese clients, ensuring top-tier service delivery.
    4. Regional Travel:
    • Travel within Japan and the broader Asia region to meet clients and build relationships.
    • Participate in bi-annual meetings in Dubai or the UK to align with the broader company strategy.
    5. Team Collaboration:
    • Work closely with the Group CEO and the future MD of Asia to align origination efforts with the company’s strategic goals.
    • Share market insights and contribute to the overall growth of Sand Martins Advisory.
    6. Client Communication:
    • Ensure fluency and professionalism in English to effectively communicate with American, UK-based clients, and global colleagues.
    • Prepare high-quality presentations, proposals, and reports tailored to client needs.
    7. Compliance and Local Knowledge:
    • Leverage in-depth knowledge of the Japanese market, business culture, and regulatory landscape to provide strategic advice to clients.
    • Ensure compliance with all local regulations and guidelines.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field. MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification is a plus.
  • Experience: Minimum 8 years of experience in M&A, corporate finance, or a related field, with a proven track record of securing mandates.
  • Market Knowledge: Strong understanding of the Japanese business landscape, mid-market trends, and key sectors.
  • Language Skills: Fluency in English is essential; proficiency in Japanese is highly desirable.
  • Communication Skills: Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
  • Travel Readiness: Willingness to travel regionally and internationally as required.

What We Offer:

  • Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
  • Opportunity to shape the company’s presence in the Japanese M&A market.
  • Hybrid working model with flexibility to balance professional and personal commitments.
  • A collaborative, international team environment with opportunities for career growth.

Application Process:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter to careers@sandmartinsadvisory.com. In your cover letter, please highlight your relevant experience, key achievements, and what excites you about this role at Sand Martins Advisory.


We look forward to welcoming a visionary leader to our team to drive our growth in Japan and contribute to the success of Sand Martins Advisory on a global scale.

  • Position: Head of Originations – Japan
  • Location: Tokyo, Japan
  • Reporting To: Group CEO (UK-based) in the short term; MD of Asia in the long term
  • Employment Type: Hybrid (2 days in-office, remaining remote)