Strategic Business Developer - Business Strategy Department, Travel & Mobility Business(C&M)

Description

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Business Overview

Rakuten Group offers over 70 diverse services globally, from e-commerce, travel, and digital content to FinTech (credit cards, banking, securities, e-money, mobile payments), mobile carrier services, and professional sports. These services are uniquely integrated around our Rakuten Membership, forming an unparalleled "Rakuten Ecosystem."

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Department Overview

The Travel & Mobility business launched the 'Rakuten Travel' service in 2001, when online booking was not yet common, with the goal of creating a world where anyone can easily and affordably plan trips through the power of the internet. Today, it leads the Japanese travel market as one of Japan's largest online travel booking sites.

Rakuten Travel offers a comprehensive suite of services, including domestic and international accommodations, package tours combining transport and lodging, car rentals, and highway buses. We also operate inbound booking sites in 8 languages and 15 currencies, with global offices. Leveraging the strengths of the Rakuten Group, we provide users with extensive choices and competitive pricing, while empowering our partners with sales growth and promotional support.

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Position:

Why We Hire

Leveraging its dominant position in Japan, Rakuten Travel is aggressively expanding globally, particularly into Asian markets. The Business Strategy Department works closely with Rakuten Travel's management to formulate and execute strategies for this business expansion. In this challenging and dynamic phase, we are seeking new talent to strengthen our strategic planning and execution capabilities, creating new growth opportunities.

Attraction
- Shape Global Markets in a Dynamic Phase
Participate in the exciting challenge of pioneering new markets, building innovative business models, and delivering value to travelers worldwide as Rakuten Travel expands globally.

- Shaping the future of the business directly under executive management
As a small, elite organization, you can work closely with the executive team and be involved in formulating strategies that determine the overall direction of the business. You will not merely be planning; you will play the role of a "strategist" (staff officer) who promotes collaboration with various departments to execute the formulated strategies and lead the business in the right direction. It is an environment where individual members have significant autonomy and can feel the impact of driving business transformation through speedy decision-making.

- High-level skills and career paths that move the entire business
In the Business Strategy Department, you can acquire high-level skill sets, such as strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and project management skills, necessary to oversee the entire business and drive transformation. As for future career paths, it is possible to step up to positions at the core of management, such as Business Unit Leader (Division Manager), Corporate Planning, or Business Development.

- Maximizing the synergy of the Rakuten Group
The vast customer base, data, and collaboration with a wide range of services—such as Rakuten Ichiba and Rakuten Card—that the Rakuten Group possesses serve as assets that powerfully drive Rakuten Travel's business strategy. By maximizing these group synergies, you can take on the challenge of formulating strategies with unique competitive advantages and developing innovative services that no other company can offer.

Position Details

The Business Strategy Department is seeking highly capable team members and future leaders to accelerate Rakuten Travel's global expansion and drive sustainable growth. As a strategic unit, you will work with management to define the overall business direction and lead its execution.
We expect you to be proactive in your approach, conducting research and analysis, preparing compelling materials, delivering presentations, and providing precise reports to management. You will also be responsible for initiating, negotiating, and executing strategic alliances with internal and external stakeholders, directly contributing to business growth.

Key Responsibilities
- Develop and drive business strategies, securing alignment with management.
- Negotiate and execute strategic alliances.
- Manage and advance critical projects.
- Prepare reports and provide information to management.
- Conduct and report on competitor and market analysis.

Work Environment

Organizational Structure
- Overall Business: Approximately 800 employees
- Business Strategy Department: 10 employees (Strategy-focused departments only)
- Ratio (New Graduates : Mid-Career Hires): 60% : 40% (Strategy-focused departments only)

Mid-Career Hires Backgrounds
- Consulting firm experience
- Business strategy/development experience at operating companies
- M&A/business development experience in the same industry

Career Path Examples of Successful Mid-Career Hires
- Immediately took on roles in new business development and strategic planning upon joining.
- Promoted to Manager within three years of joining.

Mandatory Qualifications:

- Experience in Business Development, Business Strategy, OR Corporate Planning.
- High-level communication skills, including negotiation, coordination, and relationship building.
- Japanese (Native level).
- English (Business communication/negotiation level or higher).
- Basic PC skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Desired Qualifications:

- Experience in project management.
- Experience in preparing reports for management meetings and structuring arguments for executive-level presentations.