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Job Title: Lead - Operations Strategy, Risk & Governance (COO Office) Location: India - Bangalore or Indore Experience Required: 10+ years of relevant experience Why should you choose us? Rakuten Symphony, a Rakuten Group company, is at the forefront of revolutionizing the mobile telco industry. We are building the next generation of cloud-based, international mobile services, leveraging the cutting-edge technology that powered Japan's newest mobile network. This is your opportunity to join a global team of innovators and shape the future of telecommunications. You will be part of a dynamic environment where your expertise directly contributes to integrating strategy, process, technology, and information to drive effectiveness, reduce costs, and enhance value for our customers. We offer a challenging yet rewarding career path, working with a diverse and talented team, and the chance to make a significant impact on a global scale. About Rakuten Symphony: Rakuten Symphony is a Rakuten Group company, providing global B2B services for the mobile telco industry and enabling next-generation, cloud-based, international mobile services. Building on the technology Rakuten used to launch Japan’s newest mobile network, we are taking our mobile offering global. 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 from around the globe. We are looking for individuals to join our team across all functional areas of our business – from sales to engineering, support functions to product development. Let’s build the future of mobile telecommunications together! About Rakuten Group, Inc.: 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 in a new tab). Job Description: As an Operations Strategy, Risk & Governance professional within the COO Office, you will be a critical driver of efficiency, resilience, and strategic alignment within Rakuten Symphony. You will work on high-impact projects, leveraging your deep operational expertise to integrate strategy, process, technology, and information, thereby increasing effectiveness, reducing costs, and improving profit and shareholder value. This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong execution focus, capable of navigating complex organizational structures and influencing stakeholders at all levels. You will be instrumental in identifying areas for cost reduction and operational efficiency, understanding Rakuten's business needs, objectives, and challenges through effective communication and collaboration. Your ability to clearly communicate project goals, strategies, and progress to both internal teams and external stakeholders will be key to ensuring alignment between project objectives and Rakuten Symphony's business needs. Key Responsibilities: Lead and execute complex operational improvement initiatives, from strategy definition to implementation, focusing on process optimization, cost reduction, and enhanced efficiency. Conduct comprehensive operational risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies to ensure business continuity and compliance. Design and implement effective executive governance frameworks to support strategic decision-making and operational oversight. Drive significant operations process improvements, utilizing best practices and innovative solutions to achieve measurable results. Collaborate with C-level executives and senior leadership to understand strategic objectives and translate them into actionable operational plans. Manage cross-functional projects, ensuring timely delivery, adherence to budget, and alignment with organizational goals. Provide expert consultation on operational challenges, offering data-driven insights and practical recommendations. Ensure all operational activities comply with relevant industry regulations and internal policies. Mentor and guide junior team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence. Lead end-to-end risk assessment across technical, financial, contractual, and delivery dimensions. Build standardized risk and governance frameworks, ensuring their seamless embedding into business. Preferred Qualifications and Expertise: Consulting Background: Proven experience from a top-tier consulting firm such as Big 4s, Accenture, Grant Thornton Bharat, A.T. Kearney, or System Integrators like Tech Mahindra or TCS. Education: MBA or equivalent from a List A/B B-School. Experience: 8-10+ years of progressive experience in Operations Management, with a strong emphasis on process improvement and execution. C-Level Interaction: Demonstrated experience working directly with and presenting to C-level executives. Risk Management: Extensive experience in risk management, including identifying, assessing, and mitigating operational risks. Executive Governance: Expertise in establishing and managing executive governance structures. Operations Risk Assessment: Proven ability to conduct thorough operational risk assessments and develop robust remediation plans. Operations Process Improvement: Deep knowledge and hands-on experience in driving significant operations process improvements. Technical Skills: Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Jira, Asana, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet). Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook). Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) is a plus. Soft Skills: Exceptional Communication: Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences, including executive leadership. Strategic Thinking: Ability to connect individual projects to broader organizational goals and develop long-term strategic plans. Analytical & Problem-Solving: Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to gather, analyze, and interpret complex data to drive informed decisions. Leadership & Influence: Ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority. Organizational & Prioritization: Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Proactive & Resourceful: Self-starter with a proactive approach to identifying needs and finding solutions. Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels. Excellent Teamwork: Ability to work as part of a cross-cultural team, including flexibility to support multiple time zones when necessary. RAKUTEN SHUGI PRINCIPLES: Our worldwide practices describe specific behaviors 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 succeed 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.