Executive Director

TELL Japan

Please send a CV and a letter of application to TELL Recruitment Board at ViceChair@telljp.com

Executive Director Position

Reports to: TELL Board of Directors

Location: Japan

Transition: Planned 3​ month transition with the current Executive Director

Compensation: To be confirmed following market and internal benchmarking

<About Us> 

TELL is an NPO providing quality mental health support, suicide prevention advocacy, and professional​ counseling in Japan. TELL is entering an important next phase following the Board’s renewal of the​ organization’s Vision and Mission and is seeking an Executive Director who can translate that strategic​ direction into sustainable impact.

<The Opportunity > 

The Executive Director is TELL’s senior organizational leader and a key spokesperson for the organization. The​ role combines strategic leadership with hands-on engagement: setting direction, strengthening organizational​ capability, building external relationships and ensuring that TELL’s services and operations are delivered​ eMectively and sustainably.

This appointment is not simply a replacement for the current Executive Director. As the current Executive​ Director prepares to retire after a period of significant organizational development and strengthening, TELL is​ well positioned for its next chapter. This appointment is an opportunity to take TELL to its next level of​ development and to deliver its Vision and Mission over the coming five years.

The successful candidate will be comfortable moving between the Board, sta​ff, volunteers, donors, corporate​ partners, government stakeholders and the communities TELL serves. The Executive Director must be able to​ lead eMectively at Board and external-stakeholder level, while remaining su​fficiently connected to operations​ to understand the realities of LifeLine, Outreach and other TELL activities.

This position is a full-time role.

<Key Responsibilities> 

Strategic and Organizational Leadership

• Lead the translation of TELL’s Vision and Mission into clear strategic priorities, annual plans and​ measurable outcomes.

• Work with the Board and leadership team to shape TELL’s medium- and long-term direction and ensure​ organizational sustainability.

• Balance strategic leadership with practical execution, making sound decisions in an environment of​ limited resources and competing priorities.

• Build organizational resilience, ​e​ffective systems and clear accountability while preserving TELL’s mission​-driven​ culture.

People and Culture

• Lead, develop and inspire a diverse team of ​s​taff and volunteers.

• Create an environment of trust, professionalism, accountability, inclusion and collaboration.

• Empower functional and program leaders to make ​e​ffective day-to-day decisions while maintaining​ appropriate oversight.

• Attract, retain and develop the capabilities TELL needs for the future.

Fundraising and External Engagement

• Take a leading role in fundraising and donor development, including corporate partnerships, major donors​ and other sustainable funding sources.

• Serve as a visible and credible ambassador for TELL with donors, partners, the international community,​ media and other external stakeholders.

• Build and maintain relationships that expand TELL’s reach, reputation and impact.

• Actively participate in and support LifeLine, Outreach, fundraising and community activities rather than​ leading solely from the office.

Government, Governance and Stakeholder Management

• Represent TELL with professionalism and credibility in its interactions with the Tokyo Metropolitan​ Government, regulators and other public-sector stakeholders.

• Build a constructive and transparent working relationship with TELL’s diverse and highly engaged Board of​ Directors.

• Provide the Board with timely, clear and decision-useful information and effective implement​ Board​ approved strategy and priorities.

• Navigate complex stakeholder interests with sound judgement, diplomacy and integrity.

Opera​tional, Financial and Risk Leadership

• Oversee the ​e​ffective day-to-day management of TELL and ensure appropriate organizational systems,​ policies and controls are in place.

• Provide strong financial stewardship, including budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation and monitoring​ of organizational performance.

• Lead effectively during crises, bringing calm judgement, clear communication and timely decisionmaking.

• Ensure that operational, reputational, people and service-delivery risks are identified and appropriately​ managed.

<Candidate Profile — ​E​ssential ​C​apabilities> 

• Demonstrated leadership of people and organizations, with the ability to inspire, develop and hold teams​ accountable.

• Proven fundraising, business development, partnership-building or comparable experience in securing​ resources and support. 

• Strong stakeholder engagement skills across ​difrerent cultures, professions and perspectives.

• Executive presence and professionalism appropriate for engagement with government, Boards, donors,​ corporate partners and community leaders.

• Experience making sound decisions and leading people through challenging, sensitive or crisis situations.

• Strategic thinking combined with a willingness to be operational and hands-on when required.

• Solid financial and operational acumen, including experience managing budgets and organizational​ resources.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to represent TELL publicly.

• High integrity, empathy, resilience and commitment to TELL’s mission and values.

• Fluent professional English.

<Experience and Background> 

TELL welcomes candidates from a range of professional backgrounds. Relevant experience may have been​ gained in nonprofit leadership, international education, corporate​ foundations/CSR/sustainability, human​ resources, community organizations, healthcare, professional services or other mission-driven environments.

A formal mental health background is not required. The successful candidate must, however, demonstrate a​ genuine commitment to TELL’s mission, respect for clinical and crisis-support expertise, and the ability to​ learn the context in which TELL operates.

Japanese language capability and experience working in Japan are advantageous, but Japanese proficiency is​ not a mandatory requirement. More important is the ability to operate credibly in Japan, build ​e​ffective​ relationships across cultures, and ensure that the organization has access to the Japanese-language and local​ expertise required for its work.

<What Success Could Look Like>

Within the first 12–18 months, the successful Executive Director should be establishing strong trust with ​s​taff,​ volunteers and the Board; strengthening fundraising and key external relationships; maintaining credible​ engagement with government and other stakeholders; and translating the renewed Vision and Mission into​ clear organizational priorities and action. The new Executive Director should also demonstrate visible​ engagement with TELL’s services and communities and build on the knowledge transferred during the planned​ transition.

<Transition>

The current Executive Director intends to step down in the second half of 2027. The transition will be designed​ to support knowledge transfer, key stakeholder introductions, continuity of critical relationships and a strong​ start for the incoming Executive Director.

<Selection Philosophy>

TELL will assess candidates primarily on demonstrated capabilities, leadership potential, mission alignment​ and fit with TELL’s future needs, rather than requiring a narrowly defined career path. The objective is to identify​ the Executive Director who can best lead TELL’s next chapter.

<How to Apply>

Interested candidates should send a CV and a letter of application to the TELL Recruitment Board at​ ViceChair@telljp.com.

Please note we are unable to provide a work visa, and require all applicants to have working permissions and​ residence established in Japan in order to be considered for the position.