Vice Senior Manager (QA & Security) - Process and Governance Section, Cloud Management Department (CMD)

Job Description:

Business Overview

Rakuten Group, Inc. is a global leader in internet services, driving innovation across e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communications. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, our mission is to empower individuals and businesses through innovation and technology, creating value through our diverse ecosystem of over 70 services.

We are committed to fostering a dynamic and global work environment where employees from over 100 countries collaborate to build the future of online services.

As a pioneer in the "Rakuten Ecosystem," we leverage data-driven insights and cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional value to our over 1.7 billion members worldwide.

Join us in our continuous pursuit of innovation, challenging the status quo, and making a tangible impact on the global digital landscape from the heart of Japan.

Department Overview

The Technology Platforms Division (TPD) is responsible for building and operating the infrastructure and ecosystem platforms which power the Rakuten Group. Our mission is to provide our Rakuten Cloud and Ecosystem Platforms which will deliver Core Value to accelerate the growth of Rakuten Group services. The Cloud Management Department (CMD)'s mission is to aggregate Rakuten platforms through a unified user experience and seamless cross-use to accelerate Rakuten services to go-to market. As a horizontal organization, our success is connected to each vertical organization's own success.

Position:

Position Details

The Vice Senior Manager, for Process and Governance Section, responsible for Quality and security.  Job demands people management,  Project Management, Quality & Security. It is a critical leadership role responsible for driving operational excellence across the organization. This individual will lead and optimize our project management methodologies, champion continuous quality improvement initiatives, and significantly enhance our security posture. The ideal candidate will possess a strong blend of strategic thinking, hands-on execution, and exceptional leadership skills to build and empower high-performing teams, ensuring the successful delivery of key initiatives while safeguarding our assets and data.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management Leadership:

• Develop, implement, and refine a scalable and effective project management framework and methodology (e.g., Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Hybrid) across various departments, ensuring consistency and best practices
• Oversee a portfolio of strategic projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required scope and quality standards
• Mentor, coach, and develop program/project managers and project leads, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Implement robust project tracking, reporting, and risk management processes, providing clear visibility to stakeholders and senior leadership
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to remove roadblocks and ensure seamless project execution

Quality Improvement & Operational Excellence:

• Establish and champion a culture of continuous quality improvement across all operational processes, products, and services
• Identify key areas for process optimization, efficiency gains, and waste reduction using methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or other relevant frameworks
• Develop and implement quality metrics, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms to monitor performance and identify areas for intervention
• Lead root cause analysis for quality issues and implement effective corrective and preventative actions
• Drive the adoption of best practices and standardization to enhance overall operational efficiency and product/service quality
• Potentially, manage quality assurance teams or initiatives related to product testing and validation

Security Enhancements & Risk Management:

• Collaborate with IT, Legal, and other relevant departments to develop, implement, and enforce comprehensive security policies, procedures, and best practices
• Oversee the identification, assessment, and mitigation of security risks across systems, data, and operations
• Stay abreast of emerging security threats, vulnerabilities, and industry best practices to proactively enhance our security posture
• Lead or support security audits, vulnerability assessments, , and penetration testing initiatives
• Develop and deliver security awareness training programs for employees
• Ensure compliance with relevant data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, IS-MAP) and industry security standards (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST, IS-MAP)
• Develop and maintain incident response plans and lead efforts during security incidents

Leadership & Team Development:

• Recruit, train, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of project managers, quality specialists, and/or security analysts
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and results-oriented team environment
• Conduct regular performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and support professional development
• Communicate effectively with all levels of the organization, from individual contributors to executive leadership

Mandatory Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (preferably in Business Administration, Project Management, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.)
• Master's degree (MBA or related field) preferred
• 10+ years of progressive experience in project management, operations, process optimization, and quality assurance roles
• At least 5+ years of experience in a leadership or managerial capacity, with direct reports
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex projects and programs from inception to completion
• Demonstrated experience in implementing and improving quality management systems and processes
• Strong understanding and practical experience with cybersecurity principles, frameworks, and best practices
• Experience in big consulting firm is a plus

Certifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP) - Must
• Native/Business level Japanese language: JLPT-N1 or equivalent abilities - Highly Preferred
• Agile certifications (e.g., CSM, CSPO, SAFe) - Must
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt - Must
• Security certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CompTIA Security+) - Preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and team-building skills
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Jira, Asana, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet)
• Data-driven decision-making with strong analytical skills
• Ability to influence and negotiate with stakeholders at all levels
• Proactive, results-oriented, and adaptable to a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Understanding of financial principles related to project budgeting and cost control
• Familiarity with risk management methodologies

#engineer #director #projectmanager  #technologyplatformdiv 

Languages:

English (Overall - 3 - Advanced), Japanese (Overall - 4 - Fluent)