Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of Rakuten International’s external narrative within the performance marketing ecosystem, positioning the company as a leading voice in performance marketing, loyalty-driven commerce, and digital advertising.
• Translate strategic initiatives, product innovation, and partnerships into clear and compelling market-facing narratives that resonate with merchants, advertisers, publishers, partners, and the broader marketing community.
• Collaborate with marketing and research teams to develop narrative-driven reports and industry insights that reinforce Rakuten’s market positioning.
• Monitor developments across the affiliate, retail media, and performance marketing landscape and translate emerging industry dynamics into narrative opportunities for Rakuten.
• Develop and lead media strategies that elevate the presence of Rakuten International’s performance marketing businesses in key conversations shaping the future of digital advertising, commerce, and loyalty.
• Lead communications strategy for major announcements including product launches, partnerships, and reports.
• Identify opportunities to generate high-impact earned media coverage and thought leadership in business and industry outlets.
• Serve as the strategic communications advisor to senior leadership in articulating Rakuten’s narrative on performance marketing.
• Develop keynote speeches, bylined articles, executive messaging, and briefing materials for industry events and media engagements.
• Prepare executives for media interviews, public speaking opportunities, and key industry conferences.
• Align communications across Rakuten Advertising and Rakuten Rewards to ensure a cohesive performance marketing narrative.
• Partner with product, marketing, and commercial teams to support key launches, strategic partnerships, and initiatives.
• Provide communications guidance to senior stakeholders on complex industry developments and market opportunities.

Requirements

• 8-10+ years experience in public relations (in-house or agency), communications, journalism or a related field.
• Proven experience developing and executing media relations strategies in technology, advertising, commerce, or digital platforms.
• Strong understanding of trends shaping digital advertising, performance marketing, retail media, or affiliate ecosystems.
• Experience working closely with senior executives to develop thought leadership and keynote speeches.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical or commercial concepts into clear, compelling narratives.
• Experience operating in highly cross-functional environments with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong writing and storytelling skills across multiple formats.

Benefits

• discretionary bonus
• health, vision, dental insurance
• 401k matching
• PTO
• Volunteer Time Off (VTO)
• other employee benefits as the company implements