Senior Director, Global Planning & Projects Section, Corporate Communications Department (RS Corporate Communcation Div)

Job Description:

About Organization

Rakuten Symphony, Inc. is at the forefront of revolutionizing the telecommunications industry, building the future of mobile networks with our innovative, cloud-native, and Open RAN solutions. Our mission is to empower operators globally to deliver cutting-edge services efficiently and at scale.

The Corporate Communications Department plays a pivotal role in shaping Rakuten Symphony's global narrative through innovative and impactful content. This department is responsible for strategic communication planning, content creation across various media, and managing our brand's public image. We operate in a fast-paced, global environment, working across diverse teams and time zones to deliver compelling storytelling that resonates with our audiences worldwide.

Job Duties

Rakuten Symphony, Inc. is seeking a highly experienced and dynamic Senior Director to lead the Global Planning & Projections section within our Corporate Communications Department. This pivotal role will be focused on driving content production, with a strong emphasis on planning, shooting, and producing high-quality video content. The Senior Director will also be responsible for managing external agencies for video and photo shoots, while contributing to traditional PR tasks.

A key aspect of this role involves providing direct content creation support to Rakuten Symphony businesses and executives, working alongside them to strategically plan communication projects, including the content that brings them to life. You will be instrumental in shaping Rakuten Symphony's global narrative through innovative and impactful content.

Key Responsibilities:

• Content Production & Management:

  • Lead the end-to-end planning, shooting, and production of high-quality video content for a variety of internal and external communication channels.

  • Manage relationships with external video and photography agencies, overseeing project briefs, budgets, and deliverables to ensure brand consistency and quality.

  • Direct and support executive-level content creation, including speeches, presentations, thought leadership pieces, and video messages.

  • Develop and implement strategic content plans for key communication initiatives, campaigns, and projects, ensuring alignment with overall corporate objectives.

  • Oversee the creation of engaging visual assets, including infographics, motion graphics, and photography, to complement video content and enhance storytelling.

• Strategic Planning & PR:

  • Strategically plan and execute communication projects, identifying key messages, target audiences, and optimal content formats for maximum impact.

  • Integrate traditional PR tasks, including media relations support, internal communications, press release development, and crisis communications, into broader content strategies.

  • Conduct thorough research and analysis to identify emerging trends, communication opportunities, and best practices in content strategy and production.

  • Advise executives and internal stakeholders on effective communication strategies and content approaches.

• Collaboration & Leadership:

  • Manage resources focused on content planning and production, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence.

  • Collaborate closely with various Rakuten departments, including Marketing, Business Units, HR, and other Group comms teams, to ensure consistent messaging and content alignment.

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external, to facilitate content development and distribution.

  • Stay abreast of the latest communication tools, technologies, and industry best practices in content production and strategy.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in a senior communications, content production, or PR role, with a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in video production and strategic communications and/or marketing planning.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Media Production, Public Relations, or a related field.

• Leadership & Project Management: Exceptional leadership and project management skills, with the ability to strategically plan, execute, and oversee multiple complex projects simultaneously.

• Video Production Expertise: Deep expertise in video production, including pre-production (storyboarding, scripting), shooting, and post-production (editing, graphics).

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and compelling storytelling.

• Strategic Thinking: Strong understanding of traditional PR principles and practices, combined with strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, and a track record of developing innovative communication solutions.

• Technical Aptitude: Ability to translate complex technical or business concepts into clear, engaging, and visually appealing content.

• Language: Native English required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field.

• Proven experience managing external agencies and complex content projects in a global corporate environment.

• Extensive experience directly supporting and advising senior executives on communication and content creation.

• Proficiency in professional video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro) and graphic design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite).

• Business-level Japanese is a significant plus.