Job Description:
About Organization
Our department drives customer and technology transformation through digitalization, AI, and data-driven Customer Value Management (CVM) platforms. We enable personalized customer experiences and accelerate acquisition, retention, win-back, ecosystem cross/up-selling, and operational excellence across retail, web, marketing, and customer support channels.
Job Duties
As a core member of the Business Strategy team, you will own the end-to-end lifecycle of new business initiatives, acting as a strategic leader from ideation to execution.
New Business Ideation & Opportunity Discovery:
Proactively scan global telco, tech, and adjacent market landscapes to identify high-potential opportunities aligned with Rakuten Mobile’s strategic priorities.
Develop structured hypotheses and opportunity briefs, synthesizing market signals, competitive intelligence, and ecosystem synergies into actionable concepts.
Lead ideation workshops with internal stakeholders and senior leadership to move concepts into a prioritized initiative pipeline.
Market & Competitive Intelligence:
Conduct rigorous market sizing (TAM/SAM/SOM), segmentation, and competitive landscaping (Porter’s Five Forces, PESTLE).
Benchmark Rakuten Mobile’s positioning against global telcos (e.g., KDDI, SoftBank, SK Telecom, T-Mobile) and tech platform companies (e.g., Alphabet, Amazon).
Track innovation in IoT, cloud, AI, and 5G monetization strategies to unlock new revenue streams.
Business Case Development & Financial Modelling:
Develop board-ready business cases, including commercial model design, financial projections (EBITDA, NPV, IRR), risk assessment, and go/no-go frameworks.
Stress-test commercial models under multiple scenarios to ensure alignment with market needs and revenue targets.
Partnership Identification, Structuring & Negotiation Support:
Identify and cultivate relationships with prospective partners across target verticals.
Structure innovative commercial contracts, partnership governance models, and product/service strategies.
Manage the deal funnel from initial outreach through due diligence to final launch.
End-to-End Project Delivery & Execution:
Own the full initiative lifecycle, acting as project lead across internal functions and external partners.
Define KPIs and feedback loops post-launch to refine and optimize business performance.
Apply structured project management disciplines (milestone planning, RACI frameworks) to drive initiatives from strategy to revenue-generating reality.
Strategic Presentations & Executive Communication:
Develop insight-led strategy documents and high-impact presentations for senior leadership.
Facilitate executive workshops to drive alignment on strategic direction and commercial decision-making.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Internal Influence:
Serve as the primary strategy interface for key stakeholders, building coalitions to support cross-departmental resource commitments.
Mentor junior analysts, fostering a culture of analytical rigor and structured problem-solving.
Minimum Qualifications
5–8 years of progressive professional experience, with a strong preference for candidates combining strategy consulting with industry experience.
Strategy consulting experience at a top-tier firm or equivalent in-house strategy/corporate development experience at a leading telco or tech company.
Demonstrated track record of leading new business, growth strategy, or partnership development initiatives from ideation through execution.
Hands-on experience building financial models and business cases for new ventures or partnerships.
Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
Experience using AI as a tool to fulfill business objectives.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience within the telecommunications, technology, media, or adjacent digital industry.
Exposure to one or more of the following verticals: IoT, AI/ML products, OTT/content, AdTech, connected devices, or data monetization.
Experience in the Japanese market or broader APAC region.
Background in venture building, corporate innovation, or business incubation.
Fluency in Japanese.
Languages:
English (Overall - 3 - Advanced), Japanese (Overall - 2 - Intermediate)Skills Required
- 5-8 years of progressive professional experience (strategy consulting and industry experience preferred)
- Strategy consulting experience at a top-tier firm or equivalent in-house strategy/corporate development at a leading telco or tech company
- Proven track record leading new business, growth strategy, or partnership development initiatives end-to-end
- Hands-on experience building financial models and board-ready business cases (EBITDA, NPV, IRR) and scenario stress-testing
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment
- Experience using AI as a tool to fulfill business objectives
- English proficiency (Advanced)
- Experience within telecommunications, technology, media, or adjacent digital industries
- Exposure to IoT, AI/ML products, OTT/content, AdTech, connected devices, or data monetization
- Experience in the Japanese market or broader APAC region
- Background in venture building, corporate innovation, or business incubation
- Fluency in Japanese
What We Do
Rakuten Group, Inc. is a Tokyo‑headquartered global technology and internet services group. It operates e‑commerce marketplaces (Rakuten Ichiba), fintech services including cards, banking and payments, digital content and advertising platforms, and mobile/communications services across 30+ countries. The company’s mission is to empower individuals and businesses through innovation, entrepreneurship and an integrated digital ecosystem of commerce, finance and media.
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