Live Shopping Planner & Operator - Rakuten Ichiba Marketing Department, Commerce & Marketing Company (C&M)

Job Description: Department Overview Rakuten Ichiba Shopping Channel was launched in 2021. The service was created to maximize the vast product inventory and user purchase data of "Rakuten Ichiba," blending real-world experiences and a sense of "liveness" into online shopping. Beyond simple product search and comparison, our mission is to create a new shopping experience where users and shops can connect directly through professional product demonstrations and real-time, two-way communication. Leveraging the solid customer base of Rakuten Ichiba, one of Japan's largest e-commerce malls, we are leading the industry as a platform for "sales-driven live commerce" rather than just a live streaming tool. To maximize the sales of our merchant partners on Rakuten Ichiba by integrating Rakuten’s massive user base with cutting-edge live streaming technology. Position: Why We Hire Since its launch, Rakuten Live Shopping has achieved rapid growth. Today, live commerce within Rakuten Ichiba has shifted dramatically from an "experimental initiative" to a "core channel" that drives our sales. However, our journey has only just begun. Within the massive platform of Rakuten Ichiba, which commands enormous traffic, we must refine the viewing experience and create a framework that empowers more merchants to succeed. To achieve this, it is essential that we strengthen both our strategic planning capabilities and our operational execution on the ground. As we enter this phase of business expansion, we are looking for individuals who can "build the foundation" and those who can "master the quality of our content." For the Planning Role: Someone who can analyze numerical data and user psychology to strategically lead and define the winning path in the emerging live commerce market. For the Production Role: Someone who is passionate about staging and production workflows, and who can pursue the highest quality as a "live streaming professional" to captivate audiences through the screen. In both positions, we are seeking individuals with high aspirations who want to be more than just task-executors-we want project owners who can participate in decision-making and create new trends on the massive stage that is Rakuten. If you resonate with our vision of "transforming the future of Japanese e-commerce through live shopping," we would love to have you on our team. We look forward to hearing from those who are passionate about taking on this challenge with us. ・ Business & Organizational Phase Experience the dynamism of the "1 to 10" phase, as we rapidly scale our business to the next level. ・ Autonomy & Organizational Culture Data-driven proposals are welcomed regardless of seniority, giving you the autonomy to lead significant budgets and large-scale projects. ・ Career Growth & Professional Development Gain comprehensive business leadership skills, ranging from high-level business strategy to data-driven KPI management. ・ Competitive Edge Leverage the overwhelming assets of Rakuten Ichiba-Japan’s largest e-commerce platform-and the expansive Rakuten Ecosystem to build and implement industry-leading solutions. Position Details You will be responsible for the end-to-end management of our live shopping platform, from strategic planning to execution. ・ Live Streaming Planning & Production Direction Propose and develop live streaming plans for merchant partners Manage on-site and remote production, including studio and remote direction Direct and coordinate with external live production companies ・ Performance Analysis & Optimization Analyze key metrics such as viewership, engagement (comments), and conversion rates (CVR) Optimize and refine streaming formats based on data-driven insights Conduct market, competitor, and user analysis ・ Merchant Support & Partnership Provide expertise and best practices to merchants on leveraging live commerce Scale successful case studies and improve overall streaming quality ・ Strategic Initiatives Test new streaming formats and features Provide feedback to development and editorial teams to enhance UI/UX ・ Business Strategy & KPI Management Develop and execute annual and quarterly strategies for the entire live shopping business Design KGI/KPI frameworks and manage budget/performance targets Lead cross-functional project management and negotiations with internal stakeholders (Sales, Product, and Marketing teams) Work Environment Business Division: Approx. 150 members Department: Approx. 40 members Live Shopping Group: 7 members Average Age: 30 years old (Live Shopping Group) New Graduate vs. Mid-career Ratio: New Graduates (60%) / Mid-career (40%) ・ Production Directors ・ Broadcast/Live Producers ・ TV Program Producers ・ Professionals from XR (Extended Reality) companies ・ Rapid Advancement: Promoted to Assistant Manager within 2.5 years of joining ・ Strategic Leadership: Spearheading business strategy and driving performance within 3 years of joining ・ Cross-Functional Impact: Successfully taking on dual responsibilities, including the planning of new, high-impact projects Mandatory Qualifications: ・ 3+ years of professional work experience ・ Project Management: Proven experience in leading projects, including managing timelines, quality control, and coordinating with multiple internal and external stakeholders ・ Proficiency in basic PC applications (Excel, PowerPoint) Desired Qualifications: ・ Experience in launching or operating new business initiatives ・ Proven track record in SNS marketing (e.g., Instagram Live, TikTok, YouTube) ・ Experience in influencer casting or management ・ Experience in business planning or strategy development at a corporate or consulting firm ・ Experience in project management or team management Other Information: Additional information on Location Rakuten Crimson House 1-14-1 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. ・ Benefits: ・ Recruitment Information: * Employment type is detailed ・ Rakuten Culture: #business #director #projectmanager #DigitalMarketing #commerce #RakutenIchiba Languages: English (Overall - 4 - Fluent), Japanese (Overall - 4 - Fluent)