Lead, Strategy and Business Operations

Job Description:

Rakuten International oversees 7 businesses with over 4,000 employees globally. The brand is recognized for its leadership and innovation in e-commerce, digital content, advertising, entertainment and communications, bringing the joy of discovery and access to more than 1 billion members across the world. Our teams deliver on the company’s mission to delight merchants and customers through innovation, optimism, and teamwork.

Rakuten Viki is a global entertainment streaming platform that specializes in Asian content. Our platform enables millions of viewers to discover and enjoy primetime shows and movies, subtitled in over 150 languages. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, we also have offices in Singapore, Seoul, and Shanghai, ensuring a strong global presence and a deep connection to the heart of Asian entertainment. Our platform is home to a large and loyal community of fans who share a passion for Asian culture and entertainment. Join us in our mission to bridge cultures and connect the world to Asian entertainment. At Rakuten Viki, we offer a chance to be part of a global community that celebrates culture, creativity, and connection.

Come join Rakuten Viki as a Lead, Strategy and Business Operations. Reporting to the Director of Strategy and Business Operations, this is a high-leverage role for someone who can turn ambiguity into a crisp strategy, align senior stakeholders, and drive execution across cross-functional teams . The Strategy and Business Operations team helps shape the strategic direction of the company, with a strong focus on driving growth and improving operational efficiency. 

The team works closely with company leadership and is also responsible for anticipating opportunities and threats, and prioritizing initiatives. Projects are typically highly analytical in nature and include cross-functional collaboration with every team across the business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage Viki’s operating rhythm by refining systems, ensuring accountability, and executing multiple priorities with rigor.

• Conduct market and competitive research to inform subscriber growth strategies. Identify growth opportunities (e.g. new markets, features, or partnerships) and support growth planning.

• Own end-to-end execution of high-priority GTM initiatives. Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and timely delivery to meet business objectives.

• Create concise executive proposals featuring detailed analysis, tradeoffs, and clear strategic recommendations that drive decision-making.

• Develop recurring reports on key performance indicators and trends. Translate data into actionable insights for senior leadership.

• Prepare corporate reporting and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

• Deliver ad-hoc analysis and quantitative models to diagnose issues and support strategic growth decisions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, economics, or other quantitative fields. 

• 8+ years of professional experience in corporate strategy (preferably investment banking, private equity, consulting, or corporate development). 

• Expertise in structured problem-solving and executive communication, with a history of leading multiple complex cross-functional initiatives from strategy to execution.

• Strong communication skills: written, verbal, and quantitative modeling skills using tools like Excel, Google Sheets, PowerPoint, and Google Slides to present findings clearly.

• Extensive experience managing cross-functional projects with diverse stakeholders.

• Strong financial analysis background and familiarity with ARPU, LTV, CPA, DST, Rev Share, and other subscription metrics 

• Proficiency in BI and data tools such as SQL, Looker, Amplitude, or Tableau.

• Proficiency in AI and experience using tools to enable work efficiency.

• Background in high-growth technology or internet sectors is preferred.

• Knowledge of D2C video streaming models (AVOD, SVOD, TVOD) and distribution platforms (OTT, Mobile, Web) is a major plus.

Five Principles for Success
Our worldwide practices describe specific behaviors that make Rakuten unique and united across the world. We expect Rakuten employees to model these 5 Shugi Principles of Success.

Always improve, Always Advance - Only be satisfied with complete success - Kaizen
Passionately Professional - Take an uncompromising approach to your work and be determined to be the best
Hypothesize - Practice - Validate – Shikumika - Use the Rakuten Cycle to succeed in unknown territory
Maximize Customer Satisfaction - The greatest satisfaction for our teams is seeing their customers smile
Speed!! Speed!! Speed!! - Always be conscious of time - take charge, set clear goals, and engage your team

Rakuten provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. Rakuten considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, provincial or local laws.

As part of our Rakuten interview process, we encourage applicants to use their own words, rather than AI-generated content. Tell us your story in a way that's personal and authentic.

At the time of posting, Rakuten expects the base compensation for this role to be within the range shown below. Individual compensation will vary based on job-related factors, including the skills, qualifications, and experience of the successful candidate as well as business need and geographic location. The successful applicant for this role will be eligible for discretionary bonus, health, vision, dental insurance, 401k matching, PTO, Volunteer Time Off (VTO), and other employee benefits as the company implements.