Chief UI Designer, Customer Strategy Department - Platform Strategy Supervisory Department (PFSD)

Job Description

This role leads UI design for Rakuten’s customer-facing platforms, helping shape a consistent, intuitive experience across services. Requirements typically include substantial experience in UI or product design, strong knowledge of user-centered design, interaction design, visual systems, prototyping, and design tools such as Figma. Experience leading designers, managing design standards, and working with product, engineering, marketing, and business teams is expected. The successful candidate should be able to connect customer needs with platform strategy, communicate clearly in English and Japanese where required, make informed design decisions, and guide projects from discovery through delivery. Strategic thinking, leadership, attention to detail, and an understanding of large-scale digital products will be important.

Company Info

Rakuten Group, Inc. is a major Japanese technology and internet company headquartered in Tokyo. Founded in 1997, it operates a broad ecosystem covering e-commerce, fintech, mobile communications, digital content, travel, advertising, and online services. Its business model connects customers and merchants through the Rakuten membership, points, and data platforms. Rakuten is known for its international workforce and English-friendly corporate environment, while Japanese remains important in many domestic operations. The company encourages employees to work across business units and develop services that combine technology, customer insight, and commercial strategy. Roles in customer strategy and platform design contribute to improving experiences across Rakuten’s large and diverse digital ecosystem. Compensation commonly includes base salary, performance-related elements, and employee benefits, although the exact package depends on experience and employment terms.

Destination Guide

Japan offers strong opportunities in technology, product design, engineering, data, finance, tourism, and international business, especially in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. Its culture values punctuality, consideration, teamwork, and quality, while workplaces are gradually becoming more flexible and international. Life is generally safe and convenient, with excellent public transport, reliable services, varied food, and access to mountains, beaches, and historic towns. Tokyo is highly connected but expensive; regional cities offer more space and a slower pace. Foreign professionals normally need an employer-sponsored work visa, commonly the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status. Highly skilled professionals may qualify for a points-based visa with faster permanent-residence options. Before relocating, arrange housing, residence registration, health insurance, a bank account, and a residence card. Learning practical Japanese will greatly improve daily life, even in English-friendly workplaces.