Manager, Data Management Platform Group - Technology Services Section, Global IT Strategy Office (GITSO)

Job Description

Business Overview

The Technology Services Section within the Global IT Strategy Office (GITSO) is responsible for driving enterprise technology strategy, governance, and innovation initiatives across Rakuten Group.

The Data Management Platform Group enables enterprise-wide data-driven decision-making by developing and governing the organization's data platform ecosystem. The team is responsible for establishing scalable and secure data platform capabilities, data governance frameworks, security and compliance processes, and operational standards that support business growth and technology transformation.

The group works closely with Data Engineers, Data Platform Architects, Security teams, Enterprise Architects, Infrastructure teams, and business stakeholders to maximize the value of enterprise data while ensuring compliance, governance, and operational excellence.

Department Overview

The Data Management Platform Group serves as the strategic governance and management function for Rakuten’s enterprise data platform initiatives.

The team is responsible for defining platform strategy, establishing governance frameworks, driving security and compliance activities, managing cross-functional programs, and enabling effective use of enterprise data across the organization.

Working across multiple organizations, the group facilitates alignment between business objectives, technology investments, architecture standards, and governance requirements while supporting the continuous evolution of the enterprise data platform.

Position:

Why We Hire

As Rakuten continues to expand its data-driven capabilities, the need for strong governance, stakeholder alignment, and strategic management of enterprise data platforms is becoming increasingly critical.

We are seeking an experienced Manager who can lead initiatives spanning data platform strategy, governance, security, compliance, and organizational coordination. This role will play a key part in establishing scalable operating models, improving governance maturity, and driving successful execution of strategically important data platform initiatives.

The successful candidate will act as a bridge between technical specialists and business stakeholders while helping the organization maximize the value of its data assets.

Position Details

Data Platform Strategy & Governance

• Define and drive the strategic roadmap of the enterprise data platform.
• Establish and maintain governance frameworks, standards, and operating procedures.
• Develop and maintain data ownership, stewardship, and accountability models.
• Lead initiatives related to metadata management, data cataloging, and documentation.
• Drive adoption of enterprise data management best practices across the organization.

Security, Risk & Compliance

• Coordinate security reviews and compliance activities related to data platforms.
• Ensure platform initiatives align with enterprise security and privacy policies.
• Facilitate risk assessments and remediation activities.
• Support internal and external audit requirements.
• Partner with Security and Compliance teams to strengthen governance controls.

Stakeholder & Program Management

• Lead cross-functional initiatives involving Infrastructure, Security, Enterprise Architecture, Procurement, and Application teams.
• Facilitate alignment among business and technical stakeholders.
• Manage project portfolios, dependencies, risks, and executive reporting.
• Prepare governance materials, executive presentations, and decision-making documents.
• Drive consensus and organizational alignment across complex stakeholder environments.

Architecture & Platform Enablement

• Collaborate with Data Platform Architects to evolve platform capabilities and architecture standards.
• Support evaluation and adoption of modern data platform technologies.
• Ensure platform decisions align with enterprise architecture principles.
• Facilitate architecture review and governance processes.

People Leadership

• Manage and mentor members of the Data Management Platform Group.
• Support professional growth and technical development of team members.
• Foster collaboration between platform engineers, architects, and business stakeholders.
• Build a high-performing and accountable team culture.

Mandatory Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in data platforms, data management, enterprise architecture, technology governance, or related fields.
• 3+ years of experience leading cross-functional projects, programs, or teams.
• Strong understanding of modern data platforms such as Databricks, Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, or equivalent technologies.
• Experience developing governance frameworks, policies, standards, and operating procedures.
• Experience managing security, risk, compliance, or audit-related activities.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Strong documentation and presentation skills.
• Business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English (TOEIC 800 or above, or equivalent)

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with DAMA-DMBOK or other data management frameworks.
• Experience establishing data governance organizations or councils.
• Knowledge of enterprise architecture methodologies and practices.
• Experience in large-scale global organizations.
• Understanding of cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS, or GCP.
• Experience supporting executive-level decision-making processes.

Ideal Candidate

• A strategic thinker who can connect business objectives with technology initiatives.
• A strong communicator who can influence without direct authority.
• Comfortable navigating organizational complexity and ambiguity.
• Passionate about governance, process improvement, and operational excellence.
• Equally effective in executive discussions and working-level execution.
• Able to balance leadership responsibilities with hands-on contributions.

#engineer

#infrastructureengineer

#technologymanagementdiv