Commercial Account Executive - Japan

About this role

GitLab is the intelligent orchestration platform for DevSecOps. GitLab enables organizations to increase developer productivity, improve operational efficiency, reduce security and compliance risk, and accelerate digital transformation. More than 50 million registered users and more than 50% of the Fortune 100* trust GitLab to ship better, more secure software faster. The same principles built into our products are reflected in how our team works: we embrace AI as a core productivity multiplier, with all team members expected to incorporate AI into their daily workflows to drive efficiency, innovation, and impact. GitLab is where careers accelerate, innovation flourishes, and every voice is valued. Our high-performance culture is driven by our values and continuous knowledge exchange, enabling our team members to reach their full potential while collaborating with industry leaders to solve complex problems. Co-create the future with us as we build technology that transforms how the world develops software. * Fortune 500® is a registered trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, used under license. Claim based on GitLab data. Fortune 100 refers to the top 20% ranked companies in the 2025 Fortune 500 list, published in June 2025. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of GitLab. An overview of this role As a Commercial Account Executive, Mid-Market, you’ll be the primary point of contact for prospective and existing customers in our mid-market segment, helping organizations modernize how they plan, build, secure, and ship software with GitLab’s AI-powered DevSecOps platform. You’ll own a broad book of business in your territory and serve as a strategic, trusted advisor to your accounts as you prospect, run complex sales cycles, and guide customers on their journey with GitLab to achieve clear business outcomes while supporting adoption and reducing churn. You’ll collaborate closely with Sales Development, Solutions Consultant, Renewals, Partners, and Sales leadership, using value-based selling and structured sales methodologies (such as MEDDPICC and Command of the Message) to build a healthy pipeline, run accurate forecasts, and support revenue goals across a wide range of deal sizes. What you’ll do • Own and manage a broad Mid-Market book of business as the primary point of contact in your territory, focusing on new and expansion opportunities. • Focus on customer accounts with > 4,000 employees, managing the spectrum of project sizes and complexity within the mid-market segment. • Articulate the value of GitLab’s AI-powered DevSecOps platform to Mid-Market prospects and customers, tailoring messaging to their business and technical needs. • Build and maintain a healthy pipeline through consistent prospecting, qualification, and advancement of opportunities, using structured methodologies (such as MEDDPICC and Command of the Message) to support your pipeline and revenue goals. • Document buying criteria, decision processes, next steps, and key stakeholders to run disciplined, well-orchestrated sales cycles. • Collaborate with sales development, customer success, renewals, marketing, technical teams, and partners to deliver a cohesive pre- and post-sales experience, co-sell and close opportunities, and expand GitLab’s footprint while delivering added value for customers. • Support customer adoption of GitLab solutions, proactively work to reduce churn and contraction, and participate in quarterly forecasting and territory planning. • Contribute to continuous improvement by sharing win/loss insights, updating the sales handbook, and being a clear voice of the customer into the product via our public issue tracker. What you’ll bring • 8+ years of Digital Native or Mid-Market sales experience in Japan with a proven track record of driving net-new logo acquisition and self-generating a robust pipeline through strategic outbound initiatives. • A proven ability to penetrate greenfield territories or untapped market segments, establishing local pipelines and driving revenue growth from inception. • An Ownership Mindset with a proactive, self-motivated approach to driving results in fast-paced, evolving environments. A true collaborator who takes pride in personal accountability and treats every challenge as an opportunity to deliver real outcomes. • A strategic approach to territory prioritization that balances Speed with Quality —demonstrating the discipline to move fast, experiment, and execute with high standards while building trusted customer relationships based on fairness and mutual respect. • A strong focus on Customer Outcomes and value realization, with the commercial acumen to connect deep product adoption directly to long-term revenue growth and expanded customer commitments. • Ability to collaborate closely with cross-functional partners (sales development, customer success, renewals, marketing, partners, and technical teams) to coordinate account strategies. • An interest in or experience with modern software development lifecycle (SDLC) innovations, including AI-powered DevSecOps, with a focus on helping organizations build secure and compliant software. • Native-level Japanese and business-level English communication skills. • Candidate MUST be based in Japan and have full working rights in Japan About the team The Commercial Account Executive - Mid-Market role sits within GitLab’s broader Sales organization, focused on helping Digital Native, mid-market and Startups customers adopt and expand their use of our AI powered DevSecOps platform. You’ll be part of a distributed team of Account Executives, Sales Development, Solution Consultants, Renewals, and Partners who work asynchronously across regions to manage a broad book of business and a wide range of opportunity sizes. Our mission is to guide customers through their journey with GitLab, from first evaluation to long term value realization, by developing new business, strengthening customer relationships, and supporting healthy product adoption. We collaborate closely through shared playbooks, our sales handbook, and GitLab itself to stay aligned on territory plans, pipeline health, and best practices. For more on how we work, see the Commercial Account Executive Handbook . How GitLab Supports Full-Time Employees • Benefits to support your health, finances, and well-being • Flexible Paid Time Off • Team Member Resource Groups • Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan • Growth and Development Fund • Parental Leave Please note that we welcome interest from candidates with varying levels of experience; many successful candidates do not meet every single requirement. Additionally, studies have shown that people from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every single qualification. If you're excited about this role, please apply and allow our recruiters to assess your application. Country Hiring Guidelines: GitLab hires new team members in countries around the world. All of our roles are remote, however some roles may carry specific location-based eligibility requirements. Our Talent Acquisition team can help answer any questions about location after starting the recruiting process. Privacy Policy: Please review our Recruitment Privacy Policy. Your privacy is important to us. GitLab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. GitLab’s policies and practices relating to recruitment, employment, career development and advancement, promotion, and retirement are based solely on merit, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information (including family medical history), discharge status from the military, protected veteran status (which includes disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans), or any other basis protected by law. GitLab will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. See also GitLab’s EEO Policy and EEO is the Law . If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation , please let us know during the recruiting process .