Job Description:

Business Overview

Rakuten Group positions the Mobile Segment as a key strategic pillar, operating a domestic MNO business and an international business (Rakuten Symphony) that provides network software and systems to telecommunications operators overseas.  

Department Overview

We are recruiting new members to support the Mobile Segment's intellectual property (IP) activities. As we proactively expand our business overseas and maintain development hubs both in Japan and abroad, we are not merely filing patent / trademark applications in foreign countries — we are building a global IP organization by establishing multiple overseas IP bases and assembling a multinational team. Our members join from diverse backgrounds, including in-house IP departments, patent law firms, and patent search companies.

Given the nature of this segment, senior management takes a strong interest in IP activities. We report directly to executives, present at all-hands morning meetings attended by all employees, and actively communicate and share information outside the department.

We are currently building our IP function from the ground up, including establishing a global patent and trademark filing framework, strengthening internal workflows and systems, and setting up a company-wide IP review structure. As the IP department of a company redefining norms in the telecommunications industry, we are driving operational innovation by leveraging new technologies such as AI, breaking away from conventional practices, and building an original IP management framework. Even for seasoned IP professionals, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Position:

Why We Hire

To further strengthen our IP planning function, we are increasing headcount. In addition, due to vacancies in certain roles, we aim to hire outstanding talent from outside the company. (The recent departure was for overseas study—a positive reason.)

Position Details

You will take ownership of one or more of the following areas:

[IP Strategy / Initiative Execution / Intelligence & Analytics]

- Formulate and drive the company-wide patent filing strategy.

 - We form cross-segment teams not only within the Mobile Segment but also with strategy leaders from other segments to develop an enterprise-wide IP strategy.

- KPI management

- Budget planning

- IP intelligence and analytics (e.g., IP landscape, executive reports)

Note: We are primarily seeking candidates with in-house corporate IP experience who wish to engage in IP strategy development and the analytics that inform it.

[Project Leadership for IP-Related issues]

Lead projects to resolve IP-related issues within the department and across the organization. Examples (past and ongoing):

- Building a global filing framework

- Establishing an IP review process for product launches

- Building an Open Source Software (OSS) compliance framework

- Establishing IP policies/regulations for overseas subsidiaries

- Building a management process for standard-essential patents (SEPs)

- Implementing a new IP management system

- Designing a patent law firm evaluation scheme

- PMO functions for other departmental projects

Note: We actively consider candidates without prior IP industry experience if they have managed global projects.

[Building AI-Enabled Patent filing & Prosecution Schemes]

Within our AI-driven business process transformation, we are launching new processes related to patent drafting, filing, and prosecution. We are exploring approaches beyond traditional invention mining, filing, and prosecution workflows.

Note: We welcome candidates with experience in patent filing/prosecution who are interested in creating new workflows using AI.

[General Management / Manager Candidates]

Beyond the above areas, the IP Planning team also covers patent and trademark administration, accounting and budget control, and IP systems management. We seek managers to provide cross-functional leadership across several of these domains.

Work Environment

Intellectual Property Strategy Section, Strategic Business Compliance Support Department., Rakuten Group, Inc.
The entire department consists of just under 30 members, with most in their 20s and 30s, including some who are active as L5 managers. Most managers at L4 and above are in their 40s to 50s.

Mandatory Qualifications:

[IP Strategy / Initiative Execution / Intelligence & Analytics

• 3+ years of experience in a corporate IP department in patent prosecution or IP analytics

[Project Leadership for IP-Related issues]

• IP industry experience is not required

[Building AI-Enabled Patent filing & Prosecution Schemes]

• 3+ years of patent prosecution experience in a corporate IP department or at a patent law firm

[All Positions]

• TOEIC score of 800+ or business-level English proficiency (speaking and listening required)
• Business-level Japanese proficiency

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to conduct discussions, create materials, and deliver presentations in English
• Experience managing projects requiring collaboration with other departments and overseas teams/sites
• Hands-on experience leading the design and implementation of business processes and systems
• Experience living in an English-speaking country and/or test score such as TOEFL, IELTS, or EIKEN are a plus
• 2nd grade Certified Specialist of Intellectual Property Management

Others Information:

Additional information on Location

Rakuten Crimson House

Additional information on Secondment

This position is employed by Rakuten Group, Inc. and may be transferred to Rakuten Symphony, Inc.

Additional information on English Qualification

Mandatory
- TOEIC score 800 (or higher) or Business-level English  (A speaking and listening comprehension is needed.).
Desired
- Experience living in an English-speaking country. Results of TOEFL, IELTS, EIKEN, etc. are preferred.
- Business-level Japanese.

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