Senior Project Manager - Search Department (SED)

Job Description:

Business Overview

Rakuten is the biggest marketplace of Japan and is the largest internet ecosystem with wide range of services ranging from e-Commerce, Travel, Banking, Fintech, Golf, Insurance, Instant Messaging, Mobile Network etc. Rakuten has over 140 services globally. Our mission is to empower people and society through the internet while aiming at becoming the Global Innovation Company. Rakuten technology organization has more than 2000 employees across Product Management, Research, Analytics, Product Development and Operations. Rakuten technical organization is responsible for building products that enable various business of Rakuten globally.

Department Overview

The Search Department (SED) provides a powerful, customer-focused search engine for all the Rakuten Group services. This search engine is at the confluence of supply and demand for each of the Rakuten Group businesses. Whenever a customer visits any Rakuten service and inputs a query or browses through categories, our search engine is at work. We design, develop, and deploy high performance, fault-tolerant distributed search platform supporting 20+ Rakuten businesses across three continents, used by over a billion active users annually.

We are looking for a Senior Project Manager to join our approximately 200-person team dedicated to developing and advancing the search engine for Rakuten Ichiba (marketplace). This role demands a seasoned professional with a proven track record in strategic planning, meticulous execution, and exceptional leadership. You will work closely with executives, engineering, and product management to drive innovation in search experience and deliver continuous quality improvements that directly impact Rakuten Ichiba user experience and business objectives.

Position:

Position Details

As a Senior Project Manager, you will be a pivotal leader responsible for the end-to-end success of complex programs and projects that drive the evolution of Rakuten Ichiba search engine.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

Define project goals and scope by working closely with executives, business leaders, product managers, and technical teams.

Team Leadership

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of project managers, fostering a high-performing and collaborative environment.

Execution & Delivery

Oversee project execution, ensuring projects stay on schedule, within budget, and meet quality standards. Proactively manages risks and issues.

Stakeholder Communication

Serve as the main contact for executives, providing regular updates on project status, risks, and progress.

Budget & Resource Management

Develop and manage project budgets, track expenses and optimizing resource use.

Quality Assurance

Work with the QA team to ensure the Rakuten Ichiba platform is thoroughly tested and meets all quality requirements.

Launch Coordination

Coordinate the successful launch of new features and platform enhancements.

Process Improvement

Identify and implement ways to improve project management processes and methods.

Work Environment

A team of approximately 200 members dedicated to developing Rakuten Ichiba search engine. The team consists of engineers, product managers, data scientists, and QA professionals working collaboratively. With global team members, both English and Japanese are used in daily work.

Mandatory Qualifications:

- Over 8 to 10 years of experience in project or program management, with a significant focus on front-end + back-end platform development

- Knowledge of software development with modern technology

- Strong Leadership skills

- Excellence in Issues and Risk Management

- Proven track record of successfully launching and managing large-scale, complex software development projects and programs

- Extensive experience with SDLC Waterfall

- PMP or other relevant project management certification

- Business Level English

Desired Qualifications:

- Experience in organization management

- Experience as a Software Developer

- Product Management Knowledge

- Experience in the production operation of an internet service

- Experience mentoring and coaching junior project managers

- Agile Management knowledge

- Knowledge of search engines or recommendation systems

- Experience in e-commerce, particularly in large-scale e-commerce platforms

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Languages:

English (Overall - 3 - Advanced)