Head of Facilities & Real Estate

Overview

Rakuten International, a division of Rakuten Group, Inc., is a global technology leader that empowers individuals, communities, and businesses worldwide. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, the company operates more than 4,000 employees and offers market‑leading products in e‑commerce, digital marketing, advertising, communications, and entertainment.

The Head of Facilities Management will provide comprehensive oversight of the company's real estate portfolio and facilities operations. The role ensures all assets support core business objectives, lead a global team, and drive excellence in space planning, infrastructure management, safety, security, and sustainability.

• Align policies and procedures for the facilities department with broader organizational goals to enhance operational efficiency.
• Develop and oversee programs and projects that support real estate and facilities management within the organization.
• Streamline department operations and contribute to business objectives.
• Manage department budgets, personnel, and equipment to meet operational goals.
• Communicate strategic plans and updates to cross‑functional teams, influencing stakeholders and fostering collaboration.
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Approve key decisions and recommendations made by the facilities management team.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight of Rakuten's global real estate and facilities portfolio (>40 sites across EU, APAC, and the Americas), aligned with corporate standards and regional business needs.
• Act as a strategic partner to business executives and leaders, communicating plans and aligning policies, procedures, and operational standards with organizational goals.
• Lead, coach, and develop managers and teams; uphold internal governance, best practices, and regulatory compliance in collaboration with Rakuten HQ real estate, sustainability, and compliance teams.

• Exceptional communication proficiency, demonstrating clarity, crispness, and effectiveness in all forms of written and oral presentation.
• Demonstrable expertise in real estate and construction management, with a proven ability to oversee complex projects from initiation to completion.
• Competency in reading and comprehending leasing and construction documentation, enabling effective collaboration with architects, engineers, and contractors throughout a project's lifecycle.
• High responsiveness and proactive communication with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Strong cross‑cultural intelligence, with a proven track record of effectively building and managing relationships with diverse teams across global regions.

• Bachelor's degree.
• At least 12 years of progressive experience in facilities management and corporate real estate.
• Five or more years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record managing a multi‑site or global real estate portfolio.
• Strong financial analysis skills.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

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 law.

USD $ – $ annually.