About Canonical

Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux, is a global leader in open source software innovation. Since 2004, we've pioneered a remote-first culture, empowering thousands of engineers and professionals worldwide to build the future of cloud, data centers, and enterprise infrastructure. Ubuntu powers everything from personal desktops to the world's largest hyperscale clouds, including major deployments at AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure. Our commitment to open source principles drives products like Ubuntu Pro, MAAS, Landscape, OpenStack, Ceph, and Kubernetes, serving enterprises across industries.

Role Overview

The Enterprise Customer Success Manager (Japanese speaker) plays a pivotal role in Canonical's growing Customer Success team. Focused on strategic enterprise customers in the APAC region, you'll build deep trust, reduce churn, and drive adoption of Canonical's open source portfolio. This remote position requires native Japanese fluency and excellent English to deliver precise, localized support while collaborating globally. Specializing in the 'Focus' motion for high-value accounts, you'll navigate complex projects, align on roadmaps, and uncover expansion opportunities in cloud-native technologies.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Onboarding and Adoption

Onboard new enterprise clients to Canonical's ecosystem, introducing Ubuntu Pro for secure Linux operations, MAAS for metal-as-a-service, Landscape for systems management, OpenStack for private clouds, Ceph for scalable storage, Kubernetes for container orchestration, and advanced data applications.

Project Coordination and Planning

Coordinate intricate projects involving developers, IT managers, and C-level decision-makers across industries. Collaborate with Sales, Field Engineering, and Support teams to craft and execute engagement plans that meet customer goals.

Portfolio Management and Growth

Manage a dedicated portfolio of APAC enterprise customers, spotting renewal risks and growth opportunities in tandem with Sales. Run disciplined weekly customer and business reviews with cross-functional teams to prioritize blockers and push resolutions through product and engineering.

Advocacy and Campaigns

Act as the voice of the customer internally, shaping Canonical's product roadmaps, documentation, websites, and processes. Support reactive tickets and design targeted digital campaigns for broader customer segments, including Store users.

Qualifications & Requirements

Canonical seeks passionate professionals with a strong IT foundation. Essential qualifications include:

• Native-level Japanese and excellent English proficiency for customer and internal communications.
• At least 5 years of experience in IT, with hands-on exposure to Linux OS, data applications, storage, cloud computing, networking, security, migration, or IoT projects.
• Outstanding presentation skills to guide discussions on sophisticated software solutions.
• Proven track record in building and refining internal processes without compromising delivery timelines.
• Collaborative mindset, thriving in interactions across all organizational levels and departments.
• Familiarity with agile methodologies to support dynamic project environments.

Nice-to-have skills: Experience with Salesforce, Jira, or other CRMs.

Benefits & Perks

Canonical offers competitive, performance-based compensation tailored to location, experience, and impact. Enjoy a distributed work environment with biannual in-person team sprints— we've mastered remote work since 2004. Key perks include:

• USD 2,000 personal learning and development budget annually.
• Annual compensation reviews with performance-driven bonuses.
• Recognition rewards for outstanding contributions.
• Generous annual holiday leave, maternity, and paternity leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme for well-being support.
• Opportunities to travel and connect with global colleagues.

Career Growth

At Canonical, career progression is merit-based and boundless. Excel in customer success to advance into leadership roles overseeing larger portfolios or regional teams. Leverage your learning budget for certifications in cloud technologies, agile leadership, or Canonical-specific training. Our flat structure and remote culture ensure your voice influences company-wide decisions, from product roadmaps to open source contributions. Many CSMs evolve into strategic account directors or product advocates, shaping Ubuntu's enterprise dominance.

Why Join Canonical

Join a premium, mission-driven company at the forefront of open source. Work on technologies that power 70% of public clouds and millions of servers worldwide. Our remote-first model offers unparalleled flexibility in APAC, paired with a global community passionate about innovation. Contribute to reducing churn for Fortune 500 clients while growing your expertise in cutting-edge infrastructure. Canonical's values—collaboration, transparency, and excellence—foster an inclusive environment where Japanese-speaking experts can thrive, bridging Eastern markets with our worldwide ecosystem.

Role FAQs

Is this role fully remote?

Yes, this position is home-based anywhere in the APAC region, with occasional travel for team sprints.

What products will I support?

Primarily enterprise solutions like Ubuntu Pro, OpenStack, Kubernetes, Ceph, MAAS, Landscape, and data applications.

Do I need prior Canonical experience?

No, but 5+ years in relevant IT fields and language fluency are mandatory.

How is compensation structured?

Base pay plus performance bonus, reviewed annually, competitive for APAC tech sector.

What makes Canonical's culture unique?

Remote since 2004, open source ethos, global sprints, and a focus on employee growth and fairness.