Description

Job Description:

Department Overview

In an era characterized by the increasing diversification of lifestyles and values, the challenges in marketing research are becoming ever more sophisticated and complex. To address these shifts and derive deeper, more fundamental insights, our mission is to provide new value across the entire customer marketing process by leveraging over 100 million big data points connected by Rakuten Group's common ID through composite utilization.

Within the Rakuten Group, expectations are growing for new data businesses that capitalize on our unique and vast data assets. In December 2024, we executed an organizational restructuring, integrating Rakuten Insight, Inc., Rakuten Insight Global, Inc., and the Cho-Mini Job business. This move established a stronger synergy creation system for data utilization.

Under this new structure, we aim to further accelerate the application of AI technology. Our goal is to achieve automation and sophistication in data analysis, enable real-time insights, and enhance the quality of decision-making support. Through these efforts, we strive to create new value that innovates corporate marketing activities.

Ad & Media Solutions Section is a team dedicated to providing problem-solving marketing support to a diverse range of clients, primarily advertising agencies and media companies. We achieve this by leveraging marketing research, AI technology, and Rakuten's extensive data assets.

This department is comprised of multiple specialized groups responsible for: product development that supports data-driven decision-making; designing and promoting services such as advertising effectiveness measurement and brand lift surveys; establishing and operating data-related operations; and planning, proposing, and delivering marketing research both domestically and internationally. Working in close collaboration with these specialized groups, our Marketing Research Consultants (Sales) drive projects forward by deeply understanding clients' marketing challenges and providing optimal solutions.
This department offers the opportunity to engage in proposing and solving complex and sophisticated challenges that go beyond traditional marketing research.

Position:

Why We Hire

Our company has positioned its overseas research business, which supports the global expansion of Japanese companies, as a new pillar of our growth strategy, and we launched a dedicated organization for this purpose in April 2025.
We are seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as a candidate for the head of this organization, who will jointly lead the growth of our overseas research business and contribute to shaping the future of Japanese companies.

In this role, you are expected to not only strengthen existing operations but also to be involved in the formulation and execution of mid- to long-term plans.

Position Details

As a candidate for the Head of Overseas Research for Japanese Companies at Rakuten Insight, you will be responsible for leading existing operations and formulating/executing mid- to long-term business plans.

Key Responsibilities
1. Executive in Charge of Overseas Research Organization
Formulating business strategies and action plans to achieve business budget targets.
Managing three areas, sales structure, operational structure, and new product development. Drive the following areas in collaboration with team members.
- Sales Promotion Support: Development of sales materials, marketing activities such as email newsletters and website content.
- Sales Operation Development/Support: Accompanying sales team members on visits, providing sales handling support.
- Operational Development: Activities to improve service quality in collaboration with the operations team.
- New Product Planning and Development: Planning and developing new products that capture customer needs.

2. Support for Mid- to Long-Term Business Plan Formulation
- Developing business direction and strategies.
- Setting 3-year Key Goal Indicators (KGIs) and key Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
- Formulating sales plans and product development plans.
- Developing financial plans and organizational plans.

What Makes This Role Rewarding
You will gain significant autonomy and broad experience as a core member leading the nascent stage of the overseas research market, which is experiencing rapidly expanding demand.
Beyond sales and operations, you will also be involved in new product development, gaining a comprehensive perspective of the entire business.
Furthermore, you will collaborate closely with a diverse range of domestic and international partners, including Rakuten Insight Global (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rakuten Insight that conducts insight business for customers outside Japan). This environment will foster advanced communication skills and project management capabilities through complex stakeholder coordination.

Building upon our success in the Japanese market, you will also have the opportunity to be involved in the expansion of our overseas business through Rakuten Insight Global, enabling you to build a career with a global perspective.

Work Environment

This position is within a global organization of 6 members, including non-Japanese employees. *as of August 2025

In the future, you will have the opportunity to leverage the expertise gained from overseas research for Japanese companies to challenge cross-border business development for clients outside Japan, and to create new business opportunities in the global market.

Our team primarily consists of mid-career hires, bringing together individuals with diverse backgrounds.
Both experienced professionals in the industry and those building new careers from unrelated fields are actively contributing and thriving here.

Mandatory Qualifications:

Desired skills and experience
- Experience in formulating strategies and revenue plans from a management perspective
- Experience in new business development and business planning (3 years or more)
- Corporate sales experience (3 years or more)
- Business-level English skills
- Project management skills
- Small to medium-sized management experience

Desired personality
- Entrepreneurial spirit that allows one to think for oneself and pave the way even in unprecedented situations
- Able to see things through thoroughly to achieve goals
- Communication skills that allow one to work with diverse stakeholders and promote business

Desired Qualifications:

- Experience as a business owner/leader (regardless of scale)
- Experience overseeing large-scale projects, or managing multiple projects concurrently across different teams

Others Information:

Additional information on Location

Futako Tamagawa Rise Office

2-21-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

Additional information on English Qualification

TOEIC Score exceeding 800 (or similar level of English ability) or a University Degree earned in an English-speaking country

If no evidence is available to prove the qualifications denoted above, taking an IP test, organized by Rakuten, during selection process is required.

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