📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Group Manager - Data Center Strategy Office, Infrastructure Services Department (INSD)
Company: Rakuten
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Data Center Management, Strategic Planning
Date Posted: June 23, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Lead strategic planning and management of Rakuten's data center infrastructure
Develop mid-long term capacity and investment plans for data center growth
Standardize various indicators and policies for data centers across Rakuten Group
Manage budget, cost reduction initiatives, and procurement plans for data center expansion
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to drive data center strategy and growth

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage complex projects and teams. Experience in data center business planning, finance, and investment is highly desirable.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Planning: Develop and manage the business plan, long-term growth strategies, and Rakuten Group-wide strategic synergy for data centers.
Capacity Planning & Investment: Develop and manage capacity planning, investment plans, and inventory management to meet future demand.
Standardization: Establish standards for data center future demand projections, pricing models, and security policies.
Budget Management & Cost Reduction: Plan and manage budgets, develop cost reduction strategies, and create policies for efficient data center operation and management.
Project Management: Lead new data center expansion projects, including construction, procurement, and compliance with regulations and laws.
Risk Assessment & Management: Conduct risk assessment and risk management for data centers.
Team Leadership & Collaboration: Lead and manage the Data Center Strategy Office team, fostering a collaborative environment and driving execution through teamwork and networking.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Engineering, or a related discipline) or equivalent experience.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years in data center strategic planning and development, with a background in complex commercial development.

Required Skills:

Strategic planning and analysis
Data center capacity planning and investment management
Stakeholder management and communication
Project management and team leadership
Budget management and cost reduction strategies
Risk assessment and management
Fluency in Japanese and English (Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing - Advanced/Fluent)

Preferred Skills:

Knowledge of data center business planning, finance, and investment
Experience in data center design and operation
Global team management experience
Experience as an IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, or Data Center provider

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Case studies demonstrating strategic planning, capacity planning, and investment management for data centers
Examples of successful data center expansion projects, including construction, procurement, and compliance with regulations and laws
Documentation showcasing risk assessment, risk management, and business continuity planning for data centers
Evidence of effective team leadership, stakeholder management, and collaboration in data center projects

Technical Documentation:

Business plans, long-term growth strategies, and strategic synergy plans for data centers
Capacity planning, investment plans, and inventory management strategies for data centers
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for data center operation, maintenance, and security
Project management plans, risk assessments, and business continuity plans for data center expansion projects

📝 Enhancement Note: As this role focuses on strategic planning and management rather than web development or server administration, a web portfolio is not required. However, candidates should be prepared to present case studies, reports, and other documentation demonstrating their experience and accomplishments in data center strategy and management.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: ¥8,000,000 - ¥12,000,000 per year (Based on Rakuten's salary bands for similar roles and considering the required experience level)

Benefits:

Comprehensive health insurance
Retirement savings plan
Generous vacation and holiday leave
Employee discounts on Rakuten services
Opportunities for professional development and training

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for project deadlines and maintenance windows

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and Rakuten's salary bands for similar roles. Actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and negotiation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Rakuten operates in various industries, including e-commerce, finance, and digital content, with a strong focus on technology and innovation.

Company Size: Rakuten is a large, global organization with over 20,000 employees worldwide. This role will be part of the Technology Platforms Division, which consists of around 5,000 employees.

Founded: Rakuten was founded in 1997 and has since grown into a global leader in internet services.

Team Structure:

The Infrastructure Services Department (INSD) is responsible for providing high-quality facility, network, compute, and storage services to Rakuten.
The Data Center Strategy Office is a dedicated team focused on strategic planning, capacity planning, and data center development within the INSD.
The team consists of specialists in data center strategy, capacity planning, investment management, and project management.

Development Methodology:

Rakuten follows Agile methodologies for software development and project management.
The Data Center Strategy Office works closely with other teams within the INSD and the Technology Platforms Division to ensure alignment with Rakuten's overall strategy and goals.

Company Website: Rakuten

📝 Enhancement Note: Rakuten's culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and customer focus. The company values diversity, inclusion, and continuous learning, providing an excellent environment for professionals seeking to grow and develop their careers.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is a senior management position, requiring strategic thinking, leadership, and extensive experience in data center strategy and management.

Reporting Structure: The Group Manager reports directly to the Director of the Infrastructure Services Department and works closely with other department heads, as well as internal and external stakeholders.

Technical Impact: The Group Manager's decisions and strategies directly impact Rakuten's data center infrastructure, ensuring its stability, performance, security, and scalability to support the company's growth and technological advancements.

Growth Opportunities:

Career Progression: With experience and strong performance, candidates may advance to director-level positions or take on broader responsibilities within the Technology Platforms Division or Rakuten Group.
Technical Skill Development: Candidates will have the opportunity to develop their skills in data center strategy, capacity planning, investment management, and project management, as well as gain exposure to emerging technologies and trends in data center infrastructure.
Leadership & Mentoring: As a team leader, candidates will have the opportunity to mentor and develop junior team members, fostering a culture of growth and continuous learning within the Data Center Strategy Office.

📝 Enhancement Note: Rakuten's large and diverse organization offers numerous opportunities for career growth and development. This role provides an excellent platform for experienced professionals seeking to advance their careers in data center strategy and management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Rakuten's headquarters, Rakuten Crimson House, is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and creativity.

Office Location(s): The primary office for this role is located in Tokyo, Japan. However, candidates may be required to travel to other Rakuten offices or data center facilities as needed.

Workspace Context:

Collaboration: The office features open-plan workspaces, meeting rooms, and breakout areas designed to encourage collaboration and teamwork.
Technology & Equipment: Employees have access to state-of-the-art technology, including multiple monitors, high-speed internet, and specialized software tools for data center management and project planning.
Work-Life Balance: Rakuten promotes a healthy work-life balance, offering flexible working hours and remote work options for eligible roles.

Work Schedule: The standard workweek is 40 hours, with flexibility for project deadlines and maintenance windows. The work schedule may vary depending on the candidate's role and responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Rakuten's work environment is designed to support collaboration, innovation, and work-life balance. The company offers a modern, well-equipped workspace that caters to the needs of its diverse and global workforce.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Online Assessment: Candidates may be required to complete an online assessment to evaluate their strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Phone/Video Screen: A brief phone or video call to discuss the candidate's experience, qualifications, and fit for the role.
On-site Interview: A series of interviews with the hiring manager, team members, and other stakeholders to assess the candidate's communication skills, cultural fit, and strategic thinking.
Final Decision: The hiring team will review all candidate feedback and make a final hiring decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Prepare case studies and examples demonstrating strategic planning, capacity planning, and investment management for data centers.
Highlight successful data center expansion projects, including construction, procurement, and compliance with regulations and laws.
Showcase risk assessment, risk management, and business continuity planning for data centers.
Emphasize team leadership, stakeholder management, and collaboration skills in data center projects.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on data center industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies.
Familiarize yourself with Rakuten's business, technology stack, and data center infrastructure.
Prepare for questions about data center strategy, capacity planning, investment management, and project management.

ATS Keywords: Data center strategy, capacity planning, investment management, project management, stakeholder management, team leadership, risk assessment, risk management, data center expansion, data center infrastructure, data center design, data center operation, data center security, data center compliance, data center regulations, data center laws, data center business planning, data center finance, data center investment, data center team management, data center global team management, data center project management, data center procurement, data center construction, data center risk management, data center business continuity planning, data center standardization, data center performance optimization, data center energy efficiency, data center sustainability, data center cost reduction, data center budget management, data center strategic planning, data center long-term growth strategies, data center Rakuten Group-wide strategic synergy.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this role focuses on data center strategy and management rather than web development or server administration, ATS keywords should be tailored to data center-specific skills and responsibilities. Candidates should focus on demonstrating their expertise in data center strategy, planning, and management throughout their application and interview process.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Data Center Infrastructure:

Facility: Modular data centers, colocation facilities, and on-premises data centers
Power: Redundant power infrastructure, including UPS, generators, and power distribution units (PDUs)
Cooling: Precision cooling systems, such as CRAC and CRAH units, and free cooling systems
Network: High-speed, low-latency network connectivity, including multiple network providers and diverse routing paths
Security: Physical security measures, such as biometric access controls, CCTV, and mantraps, as well as logical security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection, and access controls

Data Center Management Tools:

Data center infrastructure management (DCIM) tools, such as Nlyte, Sunbird, or Schneider Electric's StruxureWare
Data center monitoring and management platforms, such as Nagios, Zabbix, or Datadog
Project management tools, such as JIRA, Asana, or Trello
Collaboration and communication tools, such as Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, or Slack

📝 Enhancement Note: As this role focuses on data center strategy and management, the technology stack and web infrastructure are primarily related to data center infrastructure, management tools, and collaboration platforms. Candidates should be familiar with data center technologies, best practices, and emerging trends to succeed in this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Data Center Strategy Office Values:

Strategic Thinking: Develop and execute long-term strategies that drive data center growth and innovation.
Collaboration: Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to align data center strategy with Rakuten's overall business goals.
Accountability: Take ownership of data center strategy, capacity planning, and investment management, ensuring high-quality results and continuous improvement.
Innovation: Embrace emerging technologies and trends in data center infrastructure, driving data center growth and sustainability.
Customer Focus: Understand and address the data center needs of Rakuten's diverse business units and customers.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with other teams within the INSD and the Technology Platforms Division to ensure alignment with Rakuten's overall strategy and goals.
Stakeholder Management: Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including business unit leaders, technology teams, and data center providers, to gather requirements, manage expectations, and drive data center strategy.
Knowledge Sharing: Foster a culture of learning and growth within the Data Center Strategy Office, encouraging team members to share knowledge, skills, and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Rakuten's data center strategy office values strategic thinking, collaboration, accountability, innovation, and customer focus. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate these values throughout their application and interview process.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Strategic Planning: Develop and execute long-term data center strategies that align with Rakuten's business goals and adapt to changing market conditions.
Capacity Planning & Investment Management: Accurately forecast data center demand, optimize capacity utilization, and manage investments to meet business needs while minimizing costs.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensure data center compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, such as data protection, environmental, and energy efficiency regulations.
Global Expansion: Manage data center expansion projects across multiple regions, working with local teams and providers to ensure consistency in data center design, operation, and management.
Emerging Technologies: Stay up-to-date with emerging data center technologies, such as edge computing, AI, and IoT, and evaluate their potential impact on Rakuten's data center infrastructure.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Data Center Industry Trends: Attend industry conferences, webinars, and workshops to stay informed about emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in data center infrastructure.
Certifications & Training: Pursue relevant certifications, such as those offered by the Data Center Institute (DCI), the Uptime Institute, or other industry organizations, to enhance your knowledge and skills in data center strategy and management.
Mentorship & Coaching: Seek mentorship and coaching opportunities from experienced data center professionals within Rakuten or the broader industry to accelerate your career growth and development.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a senior management role, this position presents numerous challenges and growth opportunities for experienced data center strategy and management professionals. Candidates should be prepared to tackle complex strategic planning, capacity planning, and investment management challenges while driving data center growth and innovation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Strategic Planning: Describe your approach to developing long-term data center strategies that align with business goals and adapt to changing market conditions.
Capacity Planning & Investment Management: Walk us through your process for accurately forecasting data center demand, optimizing capacity utilization, and managing investments to meet business needs while minimizing costs.
Regulatory Compliance: Explain your strategy for ensuring data center compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, such as data protection, environmental, and energy efficiency regulations.
Global Expansion: Discuss your experience managing data center expansion projects across multiple regions and the challenges you've faced in ensuring consistency in data center design, operation, and management.
Emerging Technologies: Describe how you stay up-to-date with emerging data center technologies and evaluate their potential impact on Rakuten's data center infrastructure.

Company & Culture Questions:

Data Center Strategy Office Values: Explain how you embody Rakuten's data center strategy office values, such as strategic thinking, collaboration, accountability, innovation, and customer focus, in your previous roles.
Collaboration Style: Describe your approach to cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management, and provide examples of successful collaborations in your previous roles.
Leadership & Team Development: Discuss your experience leading and developing data center strategy teams, and share your approach to fostering a culture of learning and growth within your team.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Case Studies: Prepare case studies demonstrating your experience in data center strategy, capacity planning, investment management, and project management.
Data Center Infrastructure Diagrams: Create diagrams illustrating data center infrastructure, including power, cooling, network, and security systems, to help visualize your strategic planning and management approach.
Data Center Project Plans: Develop project plans outlining data center expansion projects, including construction, procurement, and compliance with regulations and laws, to showcase your project management and execution skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a senior management role, the interview process for this position will focus on strategic thinking, leadership, and experience in data center strategy and management. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their approach to strategic planning, capacity planning, investment management, and project management, as well as their ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and drive data center growth and innovation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this data center strategy and management position at Rakuten:

Review the Job Description: Thoroughly read and understand the job description, highlighting key responsibilities, required skills, and qualifications.
Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to emphasize your relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments in data center strategy, capacity planning, investment management, and project management.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Gather case studies, examples, and documentation demonstrating your experience in data center strategy, capacity planning, investment management, and project management. Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and highlights your most relevant and impressive work.
Research Rakuten: Familiarize yourself with Rakuten's business, technology stack, and data center infrastructure. Understand Rakuten's mission, values, and culture to ensure a strong fit with the organization.
Practice Interview Questions: Prepare for common interview questions related to data center strategy, capacity planning, investment management, and project management. Practice your responses to ensure confidence and clarity during the interview process.
Apply Online: Submit your application through the application link provided in the job listing. Ensure all required fields are completed accurately and thoroughly.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a senior management role, the application process for this position requires a strong focus on strategic thinking, leadership, and experience in data center strategy and management. Candidates should tailor their application materials to emphasize their relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments, and prepare thoroughly for the interview process to demonstrate their fit for the role and Rakuten's organization.

Group Manager - Data Center Strategy Office, Infrastructure Services Department (INSD)