Senior Manager/Group Manager - Network Section, Infrastructure Services Department (INSD)

Description

:Business Overview

The Technology Platforms Division (TPD) drives the growth of Rakuten's ecosystem by delivering innovative, high-quality technology platforms characterized by integrated control and strategic partnerships.
Within TPD, the Cloud Platform Supervisory Department (CPSD) develops and manages Rakuten's state-of-the-art cloud platform, empowering global scalability and accelerating innovation across its diverse business units.

Department Overview

The Infrastructure Services Department (INSD) at Rakuten delivers high-quality data center and network services to all Rakuten Group companies globally. We empower Rakuten's innovation with a stable, high-performing, secure, and cost-competitive infrastructure. By proactively addressing challenges and ensuring Rakuten has the infrastructure services it needs to thrive, we enable global business success.

Position:

Why We Hire

As Rakuten Group continues its business expansion, the underlying infrastructure platform is also growing rapidly. Beyond maintaining stable operations, various projects for new expansions and technological innovations are underway. We are looking for a manager to strategically manage this evolving platform, complex projects, and resources, and to drive technological innovation.

Position Details

Rakuten is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Manager of Network Infrastructure to support all Rakuten Group’s online services. This role is responsible for the strategic advancement and enhancement of Rakuten's network architecture, operations, product management, project management, and global network business. We welcome strategic thinkers with a deep understanding of network technologies, exceptional leadership skills, and the ability to drive innovation and efficiency across our entire network infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities
Network Operational Excellence and Team Empowerment

- Deeply understand and instill the highest quality management standards - consistent with ITIL, hyperscalers, and financial institutions for mission-critical systems - across the entire Rakuten Network team

- Aggressively drive automation and AI integration throughout all NW operational processes (planning, execution, monitoring, incident response) to achieve superior operational speed, eliminate human errors, and maximize operational quality

- Foster a culture of precision by thoroughly reviewing and analyzing operational procedures developed by NW engineers to ensure highly accurate operations
- During NW incidents, swiftly and accurately identify the overall NW configuration, critical traffic routes, fault locations, and broader NW impacts, then control and lead fault recovery efforts

- Commit to achieving operational excellence in every NW process, thoroughly leading all NW team members to continuously improve their mindset and work methodologies

Strategic Network Architecture and Capacity Management
- Lead the design and implementation of reliable, scalable, future-proof, and cost-efficient network architectures for mission-critical, large-scale networks, based on in-depth analysis of existing challenges

- Plan and implement optimal network configurations and management methods, including data center fabric networks, Firewalls, Load Balancers, and external network interconnections (Public Cloud, ISP/IX, Rakuten's internal networks)
- Establish effective capacity management methodologies, estimate necessary capacity for future business growth, and drive proactive resource optimization

- Identify bottlenecks and continuously optimize the performance of network components (Firewalls, Load Balancers, DC fabrics, inter-DC communication)

Network Product and Service Management with P/L Responsibility
- Strategically plan and promote network service menus, specifications, and pricing based on the criticality of each Rakuten service/application

- Manage the P/L throughout the service lifecycle, setting appropriate pricing and managing billing cycles to achieve break-even points
- Lead the planning of network configurations (including QoS) and operations (including self-service) tailored to specific business needs, and drive the definition of service menus and requirements

Global Network and Project Management
- Manage multiple concurrent projects for new network deployments (data center, backbone, external connections to IX/ISP/Public Cloud) and EOL network migrations
- Drive global network architecture upgrades, establish global team structures, and foster collaborations with overseas organizations to improve P/L and identify new business opportunities

Mandatory Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (Master's degree preferred)

- More than 10 years of experience in network architecture design, operations, and management for mission-critical, large-scale networks

- Proven track record of leadership and successful execution of large-scale and complex network projects

- Deep expertise in network technologies (routing/switching, security, cloud networking, SDN/NFV, AI-Ops)

- Strategic thinking and a demonstrated history of contributing to organizational growth

- Exceptional leadership, team-building, and communication skills. Ability to collaborate and drive execution effectively in a global, cross-functional team environment

- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

- Business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English