Director, Corporate Communications, Performance Marketing

Rakuten; San Mateo (CA); Hybrid; USD 113,157 - 211,032; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Health insurance

Dental insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Volunteer time off

Job summary

Rakuten is seeking a Strategic Communications Leader for Rakuten International in San Mateo, California. This role involves shaping company narratives, leading media strategies, and collaborating with executives in the performance marketing ecosystem. Candidates should have 8–10+ years of relevant experience and strong writing skills. Benefits include a competitive salary between $113,157.00 and $211,032.00, health, vision, and dental insurance, among others.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years experience in public relations, communications, or journalism.
• Proven experience executing media relations strategies in relevant fields.
• Strong understanding of performance marketing and retail media.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of Rakuten’s narrative in performance marketing.
• Develop media strategies for product launches and partnerships.
• Serve as strategic communications advisor to senior leadership.

Skills

Public relations experience

Media relations strategies

Understanding of digital advertising trends

Strong writing and storytelling skills

Job description

Job Description

We are open to hiring for this position in CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NY, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, and WI.

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.

Job Summary

Rakuten International is seeking a strategic communications leader to shape how the company is positioned within the evolving performance marketing ecosystem.

As part of the Corporate Communications team, this role will lead narrative development, media relations, and industry engagement for Rakuten International’s performance marketing businesses, including Rakuten Rewards and Rakuten Advertising.

Working closely with executive leadership, marketing teams, commercial partners, and senior leaders, the Director will translate complex product innovations, partnerships and industry developments into a clear and compelling narrative that resonates with merchants, advertisers, publishers, partners, and the broader marketing ecosystem.

This role reports to the Senior Director, Corporate Communications and works closely with senior leaders at Rakuten Advertising, Rakuten Rewards, and Rakuten International.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Narrative Leadership

• 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.

Media Relations & Public Relations Strategy

• 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.

Executive Communications Counsel

• 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.

Cross-Business Communications

• 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.

Qualifications and Minimum 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.

Travel Requirements

• This role includes domestic and international travel to support major industry events, executive speaking engagements, and strategic initiatives.

Benefits

Compensation: USD $113,157.00 – $211,032.00 annually. Eligible benefits include discretionary bonus, health, vision, dental insurance, 401(k) matching, paid time off, volunteer time off, and other employee benefits as implemented by the company.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.