Account Specialist

Rakuten Advertising; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Rakuten Advertising in San Mateo, CA is seeking an Account Specialist to support day-to-day execution of client affiliate marketing programs, collaborating with Account Managers, clients, and publisher partners to deliver timely, accurate service.

You will support accounts in the finance vertical, helping implement marketing strategies that expand market reach, increase publisher engagement, and maximize digital marketing investments.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of relevant experience in client services, digital marketing, affiliate marketing, or related fields.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Economics, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key point of coordination between publishers, advertisers, Account Managers, and clients.
• Update client offers, creative assets, and program communications as needed.
• Audit creative and placements based on account team and/or client requirements.
• Monitor client support emails and calls; respond directly or route inquiries appropriately.
• Track and help resolve client issues promptly, escalate as needed to ensure timely resolution.
• Review affiliate/publisher websites to identify optimization opportunities.
• Monitor projects and timelines to ensure deadlines are met and deliverables stay on track.
• Prepare, run, and organize performance reporting for internal and client use.
• Build prospect lists using reporting insights and independent research.

Skills

Client services

Digital marketing

Affiliate marketing

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Rakuten tools

Job description

Job Description

Rakuten International is a division of Rakuten Group, Inc., a Japanese global technology leader in services that empower individuals, communities, businesses and society. Headquartered in San Mateo, California with more than 4,000 employees worldwide, the Rakuten International business portfolio includes market leaders in e-commerce, digital marketing, advertising, communications and entertainment. We create products and services that provide exceptional value by aligning members and the businesses that want to engage them in a shared community.

Rakuten Advertising provides advertising technology and consumer insights to the world’s leading brands and retailers. Working with agencies and brands around the world, Rakuten Advertising unites technology, client strategy and consumer insights to deliver advertising experiences that drive increased brand awareness and marketing performance. With access to Rakuten’s diverse media properties and audiences, combined with an award-winning performance network and proprietary consumer research, Rakuten Advertising creates the right conditions to reach new customers and sustain long‑lasting loyalty.

Job Summary

The Account Specialist supports the day‑to‑day execution of client affiliate marketing programs, helping drive client satisfaction and support Rakuten Advertising revenue goals. This is a highly collaborative role that partners closely with Account Managers, clients, and publisher partners to deliver timely, accurate, and high‑quality service.

In this role, you will support client accounts in the finance vertical, helping implement marketing strategies that expand market reach, increase publisher engagement, and maximize digital marketing investments.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a key point of coordination and communication between publishers, advertisers, Account Managers, and clients.
• Update client offers, creative assets, and program communications as needed.
• Audit creative and placements based on account team and/or client requirements.
• Monitor client support emails and calls; respond directly or route inquiries appropriately.
• Track and help resolve client issues promptly, escalating as needed to ensure timely resolution.
• Review affiliate/publisher websites to identify optimization opportunities.
• Monitor projects and timelines to ensure deadlines are met and deliverables stay on track.
• Prepare, run, and organize performance reporting for internal and client use.
• Build prospect lists using reporting insights and independent research.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• 1–2 years of relevant experience (e.g., client services, digital marketing, affiliate marketing, or related).
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Economics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple workstreams concurrently.
• Experience contributing to team-based projects in a fast‑paced environment.
• Prior exposure to digital marketing, finance, and/or client‑facing roles is a plus.

Capabilities

• Strong execution: able to move work forward reliably and follow through on commitments.
• Technical aptitude: quick learner of proprietary tools; strong Excel skills for client‑ready reporting; ability to build proficiency in PowerPoint and Rakuten tools/processes.
• Excellent communication: strong written and verbal communication with a service‑oriented approach.
• Detail‑oriented: high accuracy across creative, offers, reporting, and communications.
• Deadline‑driven: able to prioritize effectively, manage multiple tasks, and deliver on time.

Five Principles for Success

• Always improve, Always Advance - Only be satisfied with complete success - Kaizen
• 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 our teams is seeing their customers smile
• Speed!! Speed!! Speed!! - Always be conscious of time - take charge, set clear goals, and engage your team

Rakuten provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. Rakuten considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, provincial or local laws.

As part of our Rakuten interview process, we encourage applicants to use their own words, rather than AI-generated content. Tell us your story in a way that's personal and authentic.

At the time of posting, Rakuten expects the base compensation for this role to be within the range shown below. Individual compensation will vary based on job-related factors, including the skills, qualifications, and experience of the successful candidate as well as business need and geographic location. The successful applicant for this role will be eligible for discretionary bonus, health, vision, dental insurance, 401k matching, PTO, Volunteer Time Off (VTO), and other employee benefits as the company implements.

USD $51,435.00 - $87,264.00 annually