Venture Director - Independent Consultant

Venture Director (VD) – Independent Consultant

Tokyo (Significant In-Residence Commitment) | Full-Time Consulting Engagement | Up to 36 Months

SRI International has been selected by the Government of Japan’s Cabinet Office to help implement the International Research Program (IRP), a flagship initiative under the Global Start-up Campus (GSC). As part of this effort, SRI is seeking senior, independent consultants to serve as Venture Directors (VDs) – a program-manager role with exceptional autonomy and impact.

As a Venture Director consultant, you will design, launch, and lead ambitious deep-technology research programs addressing major economic, societal, and environmental challenges. Each VD will have access up to $30M in research funding for the programs they design and oversee.

This is a non-employee consulting engagement, structured as a full-time commitment for up to three years, and requires significant time in residence in Tokyo.

• Conceive and lead high-risk, high-impact deep-tech research programs
• Select, mentor, and guide multidisciplinary research teams
• Manage multiple project teams simultaneously and make go / no-go funding decisions
• Engage with industry, government, and academic stakeholders in Japan and from around the world

Who you are

• A senior technologist, researcher, or innovation leader
• 5+ years leading advanced research or deep-tech innovation (academia, industry, national labs, or startups)
• PhD or equivalent technical experience
• Strong track record in technology transition and stakeholder engagement

Bio-Health Systems

• Advanced Connectivity & Compute
• Smart Autonomous Systems (AI, robotics, sensors, digital twins)

Japanese language proficiency is not required. Familiarity with Japan is helpful.

Compensation and travel expenses will be competitive.

This role is offered exclusively as an independent consulting engagement. Venture Directors will serve as non-employees of SRI International, operating under a consulting agreement for a full-time commitment of up to 36 months. This position does not include employee status or employee benefits.