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Sakana AI is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead cybersecurity initiatives powered by generative AI technology. The role bridges business development and technical delivery, focusing on financial institutions and enterprise clients.
You will own end-to-end project execution—from client discovery and solution design through implementation. Working alongside security engineers, AI researchers, and account managers, you'll translate complex cybersecurity challenges into AI-driven solutions. Responsibilities include identifying client pain points in offensive and defensive security, designing strategic approaches, managing requirements and stakeholder expectations, and ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery.
Key accountabilities:
- Partner with clients (especially financial institutions) to uncover cybersecurity challenges and propose AI-powered solutions
- Build and maintain strong client relationships; identify new business opportunities
- Lead requirements gathering, expectation-setting, and strategic planning
- Own project quality, cost, and schedule; drive successful delivery
- Facilitate seamless communication between development teams, technical partners, and stakeholders
Required qualifications:
- 5+ years of hands-on cybersecurity experience in one of these areas: (i) leading cybersecurity projects at management consulting or think tanks; (ii) delivering vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, or related services at a cybersecurity firm; or (iii) driving security initiatives at a financial institution or enterprise
- Systematic understanding of cybersecurity landscape; ability to discuss vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and security engineering practices with technical vendors
- Proven enterprise project management experience: team building, task/issue management, scheduling, quality assurance
- Strong client negotiation and documentation skills (requirements, plans, issue tracking)
- Basic understanding of generative AI and data infrastructure (APIs, model characteristics, data assumptions, cost/security); commitment to staying current with AI trends
Nice-to-have:
- Knowledge of financial regulations and cybersecurity guidelines (FISC standards, CRI Profile)
- Experience with upstream project phases (requirements definition, technical selection, architecture design) and PoC/validation
- Experience designing and managing risk for AI-powered systems (agents, embeddings, RAG)
- Team management, mentoring, or relevant certifications (PMP, Scrum Master, CISSP)
Full-time, hybrid role based in Tokyo. Requires business-level Japanese (N1) and preferably business-level English. Note: Sakana AI works with the Japanese government on defense-related projects; applicants should review the company's defense policy before applying.
