Job Title :: Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Location :: Bangalore
Why should you choose us
Rakuten empowers through technology.
Rakuten Group offers various services in e-commerce, fintech, digital content and communications to many users worldwide. Rakuten Symphony focuses on innovations for the telecommunication industry such as, but not be limited to, open, trustworthy, and resilient radio access systems; highly advanced edge networks and platforms; and efficient operations using artificial intelligence (AI).
To support our ambitions to provide an innovative cloud-native telco platform for our customers, Rakuten Symphony is looking to recruit and develop top talent based in India.
Let's build the future of mobile telecommunications together!
About Rakuten Rakuten Group, Inc. (TSE: 4755) is a global leader in internet services that empower individuals, communities, businesses, and society. Founded in Tokyo in 1997 as an online marketplace, Rakuten has expanded to offer services in e-commerce, fintech, digital content and communications to approximately 1.5 billion members around the world. The Rakuten Group has over 27,000 employees, and operations in 30 countries and regions. For more information visit https://global.rakuten.com/corp/.
Job Summary
The Chief Information Officer (CIO) is responsible for defining and executing the global information technology strategy for the organization. This role ensures that all technology initiatives support business objectives and enable largescale digital transformation across regions. The CIO will oversee the IT function worldwide, optimize technology investments, ensure robust security and compliance, and drive innovation while reporting directly to the CEO.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute a comprehensive global IT strategy aligned with corporate goals and Rakuten Group IT initiatives.
- Drive the longterm technology roadmap to support scalability, innovation, and digital acceleration across all business units.
Organizational Leadership
- Lead and mentor a geographically distributed IT organization, fostering a highperformance culture built on collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
- Oversee global workforce planning, hiring, and development for all IT teams.
Digital Transformation
- Lead enterprisewide digital transformation programs that enhance operational efficiency, customer experience, and employee productivity.
Technology & Infrastructure Management
- Oversee the design, implementation, and lifecycle management of enterprise technology solutions, focusing on automation, integration, and seamless enduser services.
Cybersecurity & Risk Management
- Ensure the security, integrity, and resilience of IT infrastructure and data.
- Partner with the Group CISO to implement strong cybersecurity governance, data protection frameworks, and regional compliance measures.
Financial & Vendor Management
- Develop and control the global IT budget, ensuring efficient, costeffective use of resources.
- Build and manage strategic partnerships with global technology vendors and service providers.
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure adherence to international standards and regulations such as ISO 27xxx, GDPR, SOC2, and other regionspecific requirements.
- Establish IT governance frameworks, RACI models, and escalation mechanisms to drive accountability and consistent service delivery.
Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery
- Develop comprehensive disaster recovery and business continuity strategies covering all Symphony regions.
Service Excellence
- Implement global support models, including FollowtheSun operations, to ensure uninterrupted 24/7 IT service delivery to internal stakeholders.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field; Master's degree or MBA preferred.
Experience
- A minimum of 15 years of IT leadership experience, including 5+ years in senior roles leading global teams.
- Experience in the software, telecom, or cloud domains is highly desirable.
Technical Expertise
- Strong understanding of enterprise architecture, cloud computing, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and enduser technologies.
Leadership & Behavioral Competencies
- Proven ability to lead multicultural, crossregional teams.
- Strong strategic thinking, decisionmaking, and executive communication skills.
- Excellent analytical and problemsolving capabilities.
- Demonstrated success managing largescale, multiregion IT programs.
Certifications (Preferred)
- PMP, ITIL, CISSP, CISM, or cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, GCP).
Key Competencies
- Leadership & Vision: Ability to set a clear direction and inspire teams globally.
- Collaboration: Effectiveness in working with crossfunctional and crosscultural groups.
- Innovation: Forwardlooking approach to automation, digital workplace enhancements, and continuous improvement.
- Customer Focus: Strong commitment to meeting the needs of internal customers worldwide.
- Integrity: Unwavering adherence to ethical standards, confidentiality, and compliance.
RAKUTEN SHUGI PRINCIPLES:
Our worldwide practices describe specific behaviours that make Rakuten unique and united across the world. We expect Rakuten employees to model these 5 Shugi Principles of Success.
- Always improve, always advance. Only be satisfied with complete success - Kaizen.
- Be passionately professional. Take an uncompromising approach to your work and be determined to be the best.
- Hypothesize - Practice - Validate - Shikumika. Use the Rakuten Cycle to success in unknown territory.
- Maximize Customer Satisfaction. The greatest satisfaction for workers in a service industry is to see their customers smile.
- Speed!! Speed!! Speed!! Always be conscious of time. Take charge, set clear goals, and engage your team.
