IT Strategy & Planning Lead (Aspiring Manager) -… at Rakuten · Tokyo

IT Strategy & Planning Lead (Aspiring Manager) - IT Division, Rakuten Securities, Inc.(Secondment)

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Job Description:

Business Overview
Mission: Innovating Asset Building - Creating the Future as the Financial Hub of the Rakuten Ecosystem.
Rakuten Securities is a core internet brokerage firm within the Rakuten Group, which operates over 70 services globally. Our goal goes beyond providing financial products; we aim to merge the Rakuten Ecosystem's vast data with cutting-edge technology to transform "asset building" into a seamless, everyday activity for everyone.
- Fusion of User Base and Technology: By seamlessly connecting the Rakuten Ecosystem's extensive data with financial services, we create unique user experiences unmatched by traditional brokerages. We continue to set new industry standards through asset formation support (NISA, iDeCo), AI-driven investment solutions, and partnerships with IFAs.
- The Frontline of Transformation: We are currently undertaking a massive core system overhaul alongside a radical reconstruction of our "next-generation development process" based on AI. We are in an exciting phase for engineers and PMs, involving legacy modernization and the evolution of AI-driven development styles.
- Responsibility and Authority: We maintain the robustness of critical social infrastructure while realizing high-speed new development. Rakuten Securities offers the unique opportunity to achieve this difficult balance using the group's solid network and the latest technology stack.

Department Overview
Mission: Driving Management Through Technology - Realizing Rakuten Securities' Growth Strategy.
Our mission goes beyond IT cost management or system planning. In the rapidly growing financial infrastructure of Rakuten Securities, we integrate "management vision" with "technical challenges" into a unified IT strategy. By optimizing resources (people, assets, and capital), we accelerate company-wide business growth. As a compass for management, our duty is to map out the future of system development and operations.
- Command Center for Business-IT Fusion: We engage with executive management to translate and concretize business strategies into IT strategies. You will experience high-level business impact, knowing your roadmap drives services for millions of users.
- Growing into a "Strategic Advisor": By combining technical IT expertise with financial and organizational management, you will transform the organization itself. This is a rare environment where you can leverage your career as an engineer to step up as a strategic advisor to executive leadership.

Position:
Why We Hire
Seeking a "Strategic Management Partner" to support Rakuten Securities' rapid growth from the highest level of IT strategy.
Under the mission of "Innovating Asset Building," Rakuten Securities is expanding its services and scaling its organization at an unprecedented pace. As our diverse products—including Web, mobile apps, and core systems—become increasingly complex, the optimization of IT resources (people, assets, and budget) and the formulation of long-term technology strategies are no longer just temporary projects, but top management priorities.
To further accelerate the speed of our business evolution, we are looking for an "IT Strategy Lead" who possesses deep technical insight, can engage in high-level discussions with the executive team, and has the ability to oversee and control the company's entire development and operational structure.
- Strategic Leadership: Rakuten Securities is expanding at an unprecedented speed. As services and systems become more complex, optimizing IT resources and formulating long-term technical strategies have become top management priorities. We are looking for an "IT Strategy Commander" to lead this effort.
- Implementing Business Strategy: You will lead the transformation by translating executive concepts into actionable, IT-driven roadmaps. You will be expected to bridge the gap between management language and technical language.
- Optimizing the Organizational "OS": Beyond budget management, you will modernize the IT organization's "OS"- including development structures, operational processes, and vendor strategies- to maximize ROI and organizational performance.

Position Details
Designing the "blueprint" for IT strategy, optimizing resources, and driving the growth of Rakuten Securities.
As a member of the IT Planning Division at Rakuten Securities, you will comprehensively manage the "business administration" of the IT department, ranging from formulating long-term IT strategies to overseeing budget and risk management. Working closely with the executive team, your role is to translate business requirements into technical roadmaps and optimize the company's entire development and operational structure.
- Formulating and Supporting Long-Term IT Strategy: Develop IT roadmaps aligned with business goals. Analyze market trends to advise management on investment priorities and architectural transitions.
- IT Portfolio and Budget Management: Oversee IT budget formulation, budget-vs-actual management, and ROI analysis. Lead strategic resource allocation to focus on high-value initiatives.
- Advancing IT Governance and Risk Management: Build and operate IT risk management frameworks. Develop risk scenarios and mitigation strategies tailored to financial infrastructure to ensure operational stability.
- Maximizing Organizational Performance: Lead the construction of development and operational structures and vendor strategies. Act as a strategic advisor to improve productivity and organizational processes.

Mandatory Qualifications:
- 5+ years of practical experience in IT strategy formulation or IT planning.Experience in IT budget formulation, budget-vs-actual management, and ROI analysis/reporting to management.
- Project management experience in large-scale system development and operations.
- Knowledge of IT governance, risk management, and experience in establishing organizational rules considering security/compliance.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills to align stakeholders with differing technical backgrounds toward company-wide optimization.

Desired Qualifications:
- Domain knowledge in financial/securities business.
- Experience in IT management or corporate planning.
- Experience in vendor strategy formulation and procurement management.
- Deep understanding of modern development processes (Agile, DevOps, Cloud-native).
- Business/management certifications (MBA, PMP, etc.).

Other Information:
Additional information on Location
Rakuten Crimson House Aoyama
2-6-21, Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Additional information on Secondment
You will be seconded from Rakuten Group, Inc. to Rakuten Securities, Inc.

Additional information on English Qualification
TOEIC Score exceeding 800
*If you do not currently have a TOEIC score, you will be required to obtain one after joining the company.

#engineer #strategyplanning #infrastructureengineer #RakutenSecurities

Languages:

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