Qualitative Researcher - Brand Solutions Section… at Rakuten · Tokyo

Qualitative Researcher - Brand Solutions Section 1, Data Solutions Department(A&M) Location: Tokyo, Japan Job Description: Business Overview Rakuten's Ad & Media Company offers a wide range of advertising and marketing services, including digital advertising, research, and influencer businesses. The strength of our company is that we can provide solutions from planning marketing strategies to execution, effect measurement, and data analysis. Department Overview As people’s lifestyles and values continue to diversify, marketing research challenges are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex. Rakuten Insight is a marketing research company that combines the rich data assets of the Rakuten Group with diverse research methodologies to generate insights and support business decision-making for clients’ marketing challenges. To respond to these changes, we leverage over 100 million data points connected through Rakuten’s common ID, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches to deepen customer understanding and deliver value across the entire marketing process. In December 2024, Rakuten Insight, Inc., Rakuten Insight Global, Inc. and the Rakuten Super Mini-Job business were integrated through organizational restructuring, establishing a stronger foundation for data utilization and synergy creation. Under this structure, we are accelerating the use of AI technologies to enhance automation and sophistication in data analysis, enable real-time insights, and improve the quality of decision-making support-ultimately driving new value creation and innovation in our clients’ marketing activities. Position: Why We Hire The Integrated Solutions Group is a specialized organization responsible for qualitative research, as well as consumer understanding methodologies such as HUT and CLT. The team delivers insights and supports decision-making to address clients’ marketing challenges. We are currently seeking a team member who will take a leading role in qualitative research. In recent years, the marketing landscape has undergone significant changes. In addition to traditional quantitative data, the use of big data and AI-driven research and analysis has been rapidly expanding. At the same time, there is a growing need to understand consumer context and uncover deep insights that cannot be captured through data alone. As a result, the value of qualitative research is becoming increasingly important, with a stronger demand for authentic consumer voices. In response to these trends, the Integrated Solutions Group is strengthening its organization and expanding its team to deliver high-quality and timely qualitative research solutions. In this role, you will not be limited to operational tasks. Instead, you will lead projects end-to-end—from problem definition and research design to fieldwork, analysis, and recommendations—while proactively driving initiatives and collaborating with stakeholders. Attractions 1. Attractiveness of the Business and Organizational Phase - Participate in a transformative period where qualitative research evolves from "research" to "a weapon that drives decision-making." - Integrated research design is possible by combining Rakuten Insight's diverse products, including quantitative research, HUT, CLT, and AI. - As a member of an organization aiming to create new value, you can experience business growth firsthand and take on challenges. 2. Attractiveness of Autonomy and Organizational Culture - Instead of "completing assigned research," you can grasp the essence of the client's challenges and design the research yourself. - You have the autonomy to propose and execute with a high degree of freedom, starting from "how can I contribute to decision-making?" - You can proactively drive projects in a flat communication environment, regardless of age or role. 3. Career Steps (Skills and Career Paths Acquired) - End-to-end skills from qualitative research design and moderation to analysis and proposal. - Consulting ability to delve deeply into clients' business challenges and guide them to solutions. -  Diverse career paths as a research specialist, team leader, or marketing professional. 4. Differentiation from Competitors (Attractiveness of this Business x Rakuten Group Resources) - Leveraging Rakuten Group's vast data assets and AI platform, we can design solutions that integrate qualitative, quantitative, and big data. - Deeply involved from the upstream stages of decision-making, allowing you to tackle more fundamental business challenges. - Backed by overwhelming user touchpoints and data volume, we can improve the accuracy of market forecasting and insight extraction. Position Details You will be responsible for the entire process for clients across various industries, from initial problem assessments to the design, implementation, analysis, and interpretation of qualitative research. Specifically, this will primarily involve in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group interviews (FGI), but you will also utilize a variety of research methodologies, including quantitative research, CLT, HUT, big data, and AI-based solutions. Specific Job Responsibilities This position involves one of the following roles. Type A: End-to-End Lead Type - Client problem assessment (accompanying sales representatives) - Planning, design, and proposal focusing on qualitative research - Implementation of qualitative research (including flow creation, recruitment, etc.) - Collaboration with external partners - Analysis, insight extraction, and reporting Type B: Design and Promotion Hub Type - Client problem assessment (accompanying sales representatives) - Planning and design focusing on qualitative research - Project direction and collaboration with external partners * Moderation and analysis experience is not required * Candidates with research design or project direction experience at a research company are also welcome. Work Environment Organizational Structure - Rakuten Insight as a whole: Approximately 300 people - Integrated Solutions Group: 9 people - Senior Manager (1 person), Manager (2 people), Assistant Manager (1 person) - Age Range: Primarily 30s-40s (Flat organizational structure with good communication) Background of Mid-Career Hires Our team primarily consists of individuals with experience in qualitative research at research firms or those involved in marketing strategy planning at business companies. We value individuals who not only perform research tasks but also possess the ability to structure client challenges and elevate them into business insights. Examples of Successful Mid-Career Hires Step 1: Leading Integrated Researcher Working alongside sales, you will be responsible for the entire process from "problem assessment to design, analysis, and insight generation," honing your qualitative design skills and facilitation abilities. Step 2: Expanding Specialization and Role You can advance to lead large-scale projects as a Senior Researcher, or become responsible for integrated research combining diverse methodologies such as quantitative, CLT, and HUT. Step 3: Further Career Options You can broaden your career based on your expertise, such as challenging yourself in organizational management (team leader) or designing new AI services and solutions. Mandatory Qualifications: Common Requirements - Practical understanding of marketing research (especially qualitative research) - Ability to structure problems and define "what needs to be revealed" - Ability to engage internal and external stakeholders and drive projects forward - Ability to proactively utilize rapidly changing environments and new technologies (such as AI) and take on challenges Requirements by Type - Type A: Experience in the entire process from planning and design to analysis and reporting of qualitative research (IDI/FGI, etc.) - Type B: Experience in design, project management, and direction of research projects Desired Qualifications: Specialized Skills and Practical Experience - Practical experience in qualitative research and marketing problem solving at research companies, advertising agencies, consulting firms, etc. - Experience in interview moderation, or advanced analysis design and insight extraction - Proven track record in reporting, policy recommendations, and consulting that influences client decision-making Additional Experience - Practical experience in AI and data utilization, or involvement in the development of new research methods and services - Project management experience managing multiple projects concurrently - Business communication skills in English" Other Information: Additional information on Location Futako Tamagawa Rise Office 2-21-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo Additional information on English Qualification TOEIC Score exceeding 800 (or similar level of English ability) or a University Degree earned in an English-speaking country. Proof of qualifications will be required by the time of the job offer. If no evidence is available to prove the qualifications denoted above, taking an IP test, organized by Rakuten, during selection process is required. Rakuten Group, Inc. Homepage Link - Benefits:https://corp.rakuten.co.jp/careers/benefit/ - Recruitment Information:https://corp.rakuten.co.jp/careers/information/ * Employment type is detailed - Rakuten Culture:https://corp.rakuten.co.jp/careers/culture/ #business #datascientist #researcher #AI #adandmedia #RakutenInsight