Commercial Officer in Life Science

Job opportunity: Commercial Officer in Life Science

Location: Royal Danish Embassy, Tokyo

The Trade Council (part of the Embassy) is seeking an experienced, outgoing, and dynamic Commercial Officer to assist Danish businesses within life science in Japan. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to Danish strongholds in various life science areas while fostering collaboration between Danish companies and Japanese stakeholders. Furthermore, the candidate will work closely with colleagues at the embassy involved in the Government-to-Government programme on life science, to ensure alignment between commercial activities and broader bilateral life science cooperation.

About the Role:

As a Commercial Officer you will:

• Advise Danish Companies: Provide strategic guidance to Danish life science businesses, ranging from start-ups to established industry leaders, on market opportunities in Japan.
• Develop Relationships: Leverage your network within the Japanese life science sector to build strong connections between Danish and Japanese companies, stakeholders, and government authorities.
• Promote Danish Expertise: Position Denmark’s life science solutions at the forefront of Japan’s life science market, emphasizing innovation and sustainability.
• Strategic Market Insights: Identify potential export opportunities, systematically communicate market trends, and support companies in developing go-to-market or expansion strategies tailored to the Japanese market through understanding of their business model.
• Operational Execution: Drive implementation of strategies, ensuring effective lead generation and facilitating introductions to potential Japanese customers and partners.
• Policy, Public Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with national and local government bodies, organizations, and regulatory authorities to foster a favourable business environment for Danish companies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Facilitate market entry and partner/distributor searches for Danish life science companies.
• Organize events, roundtable discussions, and meetings with key stakeholders.
• Advise on regulatory requirements, pricing and help impact these through public affair work.
• Build long-term partnerships and strategic alliances between Danish and Japanese organizations.
• Serve as part of the embassy’s life science team, contributing to the development of Denmark’s strategic positioning in Japan’s life science sector.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess some or all of the following:

• Experience and Expertise: Experience from the life science sector (e.g. pharma, medtech, biotech or consulting) and expertise in regulatory affairs, e.g. clinical trials, market authorization, or product registration. Experience in consulting or advisory role is an advantage.
• Educational Background: A relevant advanced degree in science, economics, politics, law, business administration, life science, pharmacy or a related field.
• Network: A strong professional network within the Japanese life science sector (public and private) is required. Familiarity with Danish life science priorities would be desirable but not a requirement.
• Commercial Acumen: Proven ability to advice on and identify business opportunities, develop export promotion activities, and create value and impact for clients.
• Strategic and Analytical Mindset: Experience in working with industry executives, government officials, and stakeholders in politically sensitive environments e.g. in relation to regulatory strategy across product development phases and business areas.
• Communication Skills: Fluency in Japanese and high proficiency in English are essential. Both written and spoken.
• Proactive Approach: A resourceful, sales-oriented, and results-driven individual with a talent for fostering collaboration and partnership while achieving KPIs.
• Team player: A team-player who values a good working environment with a strong focus on cooperation.
• Other important qualifications. Experience from working in an international environment and living abroad, familiarity with public affairs work in life science

What we offer:

We offer an opportunity to work in an international environment with a high degree of autonomy and responsibility as The Trade Council performs consultancy-based internationalization services and has a number of KPI’s, including activity targets and value creation. Through your services you have the chance to contribute to Denmark’s position as a frontrunner within life science solutions. 

You will be hired as a local employee the Danish Embassy/The Trade Council in Tokyo and be part of the embassy staff. In your daily work, you will report to Head of Trade. You will work closely with the commercial employees in the embassy as well as our economic diplomacy team within health.

Salary according to qualifications within a public organization. 5 weeks of paid annual leave and a flexible Danish working scheme and 40 hours working week with a focus on work-life balance. A level of travel activity is expected domestically/Denmark. 

Expected start: 1st of June, or soon thereafter. Employment with the Embassy requires security clearance by the Danish Security and Intelligence Service and thus expected start is dependent on this.

The chosen candidate must be able to present a “No Criminal Record” and pass security clearance by the Danish authorities prior to appointment. 

Application deadline:
8th of May 2026. Selected candidates will be invited for an in-person interview.

How to apply:

Please send your application (CV as well as cover letter) in English to [email protected] marked “Commercial Advisor, Life Science – Tokyo: [your name]”. Applications without a cover letter explaining your motivation will not be considered. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark promotes equality and diversity. Therefore, all qualified and interested persons, regardless of age, sex, religion, ethnicity and sexual orientation, are invited to apply for the position.

For any questions regarding this position, please contact Tine Hasling Rasmussen, Head of Trade, Royal Danish Embassy, Tokyo: [email protected].

About the Embassy/Trade Council of Denmark:
The Embassy of Denmark in Japan is a dynamic workplace that represents Denmark’s political, commercial and cultural relationship with Japan. We are approximately 35 employees at the embassy. The Trade Council is the governmental export and investment promotion organization under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. For further information visit https://japan.um.dk/ and www.um.dk.