General Manager

SCALIS; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 113,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Health and insurance benefits

Job summary

Nova Sky Stories, headquartered in the U.S. with global reach, seeks a General Manager to lead its growing in-country presence in Tokyo.

You will represent the company, build relationships with clients, venues, and regulators, and oversee local operations, production, and delivery of world-class drone shows. The role combines business development, client success, and operations leadership in an international environment, reporting to the CFO and collaborating with global teams.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, event production, entertainment, aviation, technology, or related industries.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects from concept to execution.
• Strong client-facing experience with a track record of building trusted stakeholder relationships.
• Experience scaling or building teams, processes, and operations in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent business acumen with the ability to balance strategy and hands-on execution.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results amid change.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience collaborating across multiple countries or international teams.
• Background in live events or aviation and familiarity with government/regulatory contexts is preferred.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in Japanese is highly preferred.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Responsibilities

• Represent Nova in the local market as the senior regional ambassador.
• Drive revenue growth and manage strategic accounts with enterprise clients.
• Lead permitting and regulatory strategy with authorities and stakeholders.
• Build and lead the local team of pilots, production managers, and operations staff.
• Ensure successful show execution, safety, and client satisfaction.
• Partner with global teams to scale local capabilities and operations.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional teams

Client relationships

Business development

Strategic planning

Operations management

Communication

Entrepreneurial mindset

Ambiguity tolerance

Travel readiness

English proficiency

Job description

At Nova Sky Stories , we empower artists and producers to bring awe and wonder to live audiences around the world. As the global leader in drone entertainment , we’ve been redefining live shows for over a decade—merging cutting-edge drone technology with imaginative artistry.

With a veteran team of engineers and creatives, we design and operate lightweight, small, precise, and safe drones that perform in the most demanding environments—urban centers, extreme temperatures, and high winds. The result? Sky Stories that inspire, captivate, and transform the sky into a canvas of imagination.

Headquartered in the U.S. with teams across Europe and the UAE, Nova Sky Stories works with the world’s leading brands, venues, and events.

About the job

About this role:

Nova Sky Stories is seeking an entrepreneurial and highly capable General Manager to lead and grow our presence in an emerging market. This role serves as Nova's senior representative in-country, responsible for building relationships, developing local operations, supporting business growth, and ensuring the successful delivery of world-class drone shows.

As General Manager, you will operate at the intersection of commercial growth, client success, event execution, and operational leadership. You will work closely with Nova's global teams across production, flight operations, permitting, creative, engineering, and logistics to bring awe-inspiring experiences to audiences throughout your region.

This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone who enjoys building from the ground up, solving complex challenges, and creating scalable operations in a fast‑growing international environment.

Reporting to the CFO and partnering closely with Nova's global leadership team, you will play a critical role in expanding Nova's presence and reputation within your market.

As a General Manager, you’ll be responsible for:

Represent Nova in the Local Market

• Serve as Nova Sky Stories' senior representative and brand ambassador within the region
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, venues, government agencies, tourism organizations, strategic partners, and industry stakeholders
• Represent Nova at industry events, conferences, customer meetings, and public-facing opportunities
• Develop a deep understanding of local market dynamics and identify opportunities to expand Nova's presence

Drive Revenue Growth & Strategic Accounts

• Lead sales efforts with key strategic accounts and high‑value customers within the market
• Build and manage relationships with enterprise clients, venues, brands, agencies, and event organizers
• Partner with Nova's global commercial team to identify, pursue, and close new business opportunities
• Develop regional growth plans and support revenue targets
• Ensure long‑term customer success and account expansion opportunities

Lead Permitting & Regulatory Strategy

• Develop relationships with local aviation authorities, regulatory agencies, municipalities, and government stakeholders
• Support permitting efforts and regulatory approvals required for drone show operations
• Partner with Nova's global permitting and legal teams to ensure compliance with local regulations
• Monitor regulatory developments and proactively identify risks and opportunities that impact operations

Build & Lead the Local Team

• Recruit, develop, and lead local pilots, production managers, and operational personnel
• Establish a high‑performing team culture focused on safety, execution, and customer success
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and leadership to local team members
• Work closely with Nova's global leadership team to scale local capabilities as the business grows

Ensure Successful Show Execution

• Partner with global production, flight operations, creative, and logistics teams to deliver world‑class drone shows
• Ensure operational excellence, safety, and client satisfaction across all projects
• Support planning, resource allocation, and execution for local events and activationsAct as the primary escalation point for operational issues within the market

You’ll need to have:

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, event production, entertainment, aviation, technology, or a related industry.
• Demonstrated success leading cross‑functional teams and complex projects from concept through execution
• Strong client‑facing experience with a proven ability to build and maintain trusted stakeholder relationships
• Experience building, scaling, or managing teams, processes, and operations in fast‑paced environments
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance strategic thinking and hands‑on execution
• Experience managing multiple priorities and delivering results in dynamic, rapidly changing environments
• Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship‑building skills
• Experience working within international organizations or collaborating across multiple countries and cultures is highly valued
• Background in live events, entertainment, experiential marketing, aviation, technology, or related industries is preferred
• Experience working with government agencies, permitting authorities, regulatory bodies, or public stakeholders is a plus
• Experience launching, growing, or supporting operations within a new market is highly desirable
• Familiarity with project management, operational planning, budgeting, and business development activities
• Professional fluency in English required; proficiency in the local market language is strongly preferred
• Open‑minded approach with learning, humility, and continuous improvement at the core
• Experience developing business relationships and partnerships within the Japanese market
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with local government agencies, venues, corporate clients, and external stakeholders
• Understanding of Japanese business practices and cultural norms
• Professional fluency in Japanese and English required
• Ability to communicate effectively with both local stakeholders and international teams

What defines you:

• You enjoy building businesses, teams, and processes from the ground up
• You are comfortable operating with ambiguity and creating structure where none exists
• You balance strategic thinking with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and execute
• Entrepreneurial builder who thrives in ambiguity and enjoys creating structure where none exists
• Comfortable operating independently while collaborating closely with global teams
• Naturally relationship‑oriented and capable of building trust with clients, partners, and stakeholders
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability
• Calm and effective under pressure
• Curious, adaptable, and eager to learn
• Passionate about creating extraordinary experiences through technology and storytelling
• Willing to do what it takes to help the team succeed

Additional Information:

• This role is based in Tokyo, Japan.
• Domestic and international travel may be required.
• Candidates must be authorized to work in Japan or be eligible for employer‑sponsored work authorization.
• Employment terms, benefits, and leave policies will be administered in accordance with applicable Japanese employment laws.
• Working hours may vary based on event schedules, client meetings, and operational requirements
• Competitive compensation package
• Health and social insurance benefits
• Paid time off and local holidays
• Opportunities for international collaboration and travel