VP, Partnerships

Rakuten International oversees 7 businesses with over 4000 employees globally. The brand is recognized for its leadership and innovation in e-commerce digital content advertising entertainment and communications bringing the joy of discovery and access to more than 1 billion members across the world. Our teams deliver on the companys mission to delight merchants and customers through innovation optimism and teamwork.

About Rakuten Rewards

Rakuten is a leading shopping platform that offers Cash Back on purchases from all your favorite brands. By partnering with thousands of brands in apparel health and beauty dining grocery travel on-demand services subscription boxes and more Rakuten helps members save and get more on everyday purchases. Since its founding in 1999 Rakuten has become the largest and most rewarding shopping experience and its members have earned $4.6 billion in Cash Back just for shopping through Rakuten. For more information visit .

*This position may be hirable within other US locations.

Job Summary:

As Vice President of Partnerships you will deliver growth by sourcing structuring and scaling high-impact partnerships with Fortune 500 and other strategically aligned companies across multiple verticals. You will leverage your corporate development expertise and proven track record in complex deal-making to deliver partnerships that drive significant new customer acquisition revenue growth and business innovation. This is a highly visible leadership role with the opportunity to shape Rakutens partner ecosystem and deliver measurable business results. This role reports to the CMO Rakuten Rewards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and execute Rakutens strategic partnerships roadmap across core and emerging verticals including retail travel financial lifestyle technology grocery etc.

• Lead cross-functional alignment around partnership goals including GMV new customer acquisition co-marketing customer expansion and retention and product integration.

• Influence product and marketing strategies with insights from the partnership ecosystem

• Identify evaluate and close high-impact deals with Fortune 500 companies and other key partners that align with Rakutens customer base

• Lead all aspects of the deal lifecycle-from sourcing and pitch through negotiation contracting and onboarding

• Create innovative value exchange models including loyalty integrations data sharing co-branded programs media swaps card linking platform integrations and cultural moments

• Ensure Rakuten has effective partnerships across the different stages of the customer journey

• Drive incremental GMV new customer acquisition existing customer expansion and improved customer acquisition cost (CAC) through ongoing partner performance management.

• Collaborate with marketing sales and product teams to develop partner campaigns and user experiences that drive results

• Prepare executive-level reporting with key KPIs OKRs and business initiatives adapting strategy as needed.

• Build and lead a high-performing team of business development and partner marketing professionals

• Foster a culture of ownership creativity and data-informed decision making
  Represent Rakuten at industry events and in senior-level partner conversations

Qualifications:

• Relevant experience in business development strategic partnerships or corporate development at a technology e-commerce fintech or loyalty company
• Demonstrated success sourcing structuring and scaling revenue generating partnerships with Fortune 500 companies and other major brands
• Deep expertise and experience negotiating and closing complex multi-faceted deals across a range of verticals and partnership types
• Strong network and negotiation skills in retail travel financial services or performance marketing sectors.
• Experience working cross-functionally with product legal marketing sales and data teams
• Analytical mindset with a strong grasp of partner economics LTV and performance metrics
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills especially with C-level stakeholders
• Leadership experience in building and developing high-performing teams

Minimum Requirements:

• 12 years of relevant work experience required

• Bachelors Degree

• Masters Degree Preferred

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