Principal AI・Data Consultant - AI & Data Consulting Department (AIDC)

Job Description:

Department Overview

The AI & Data Consulting Department (AIDC) supports Rakuten’s diverse businesses from AI/Data strategy development to product implementation. By addressing challenges across the Group, members gain broad domain knowledge and practical AI/Data expertise. As a bridge between business and engineering, the team turns group-wide data into strategic assets and drives data-driven decision-making across businesses.

As demand for AI/Data continues to grow, we are seeking professionals to lead advanced projects that drive business transformation and organizational growth.

This role leads AI/Data initiatives across 70+ Rakuten services, driving business transformation from strategy through execution as a bridge between business and technology.

Position:

Position Details

<Why Join Us>

・Work with Rakuten Group’s vast amount of data across the entire organization, spanning more than 70 services

・Gain broad domain knowledge by working across diverse business areas such as e-commerce, FinTech, and mobile

・Collaborate with top-tier global AI talent and gain exposure to world-class knowledge and practices

・Work closely with executives and directly contribute to decision-making across various businesses

・Engage in high-impact initiatives to standardize AI utilization processes across Rakuten Group

・Drive business transformation in a global and fast-paced environment while collaborating with highly specialized professionals

<Responsibilities>

In this specialized AI/Data consulting organization, you will lead AI/Data strategy development and execution for each business. Beyond strategy design, you will drive implementation, adoption, and business outcomes by connecting executives, frontline teams, and related departments. You will also support Group-wide AI process standardization and cross-business initiatives. This is a management candidate role, with future team management responsibilities expected.

<Specific responsibilities include>

・Develop AI/Data strategies and support implementation in business divisions

・Drive business improvement using AI, ML, data platforms, BI, automation, and related technologies

・Serve as a bridge between executives, business leaders, frontline managers, and engineers

・Lead transformation projects with business, technology, and executive stakeholders

・Negotiate and build consensus among stakeholders with differing priorities

・Plan and manage project budgets while maximizing ROI

<Who We're Looking For>

・Able to break down highly abstract issues into actionable roadmaps

・Able to organize key issues and guide stakeholders toward a direction even in highly uncertain situations

・Able to discuss AI/Data utilization in connection with business outcomes, rather than treating AI/Data utilization as an end in itself

・Able to balance practical coordination based on frontline realities with storytelling that resonates with executives

・Has a perspective of horizontal deployment, standardization, and systemization, rather than focusing only on local optimization

・Able to move things forward even when conditions are not perfect, with a Get Things Done mindset

・Aspires to lead a team in the future while continuing to deliver results as an individual contributor

Mandatory Qualifications:

・5+ years of practical experience in a strategy or general consulting firm, or in a business company in DX/AI promotion

・Experience driving transformation projects involving multiple businesses or departments

・Experience serving as a bridge among executives, business leaders, frontline managers, and engineers

・Proven ability to organize and integrate diverse opinions and expectations, derive optimal solutions, and lead consensus-building among stakeholders

Desired Qualifications:

・Management experience with a team of five or more members

・Experience in stakeholder management within global or multinational teams

・Track record of driving business improvements using AI, machine learning, data platforms, BI, automation, and related technologies

・Experience working end-to-end beyond PoC, including production implementation, operational adoption, and KPI improvement

・Experience driving initiatives from an internal consulting, CoE, or Transformation Office position

・Experience managing or planning departmental budgets

#engineer #strategyplanning #DX #AI #aianddatadiv

Languages:

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