Job Description

Department Overview

The Intellectual Property Department of Rakuten Group Inc. is a specialized division responsible for formulating and executing IP strategies for over 70 services provided by the group. We closely collaborate with various departments to support the achievement of business units' management principles and overall strategies through our IP strategies. By protecting, managing, and leveraging intellectual property, we enhance the competitive strength of Rakuten Group and drive business growth.

The IPX Section, launched on April 1, 2024, focuses on patent dispute resolution, qualitative improvement of patent practices in the fintech sector, and the efficiency and systematization of patent management operations. We are engaged in various new initiatives to achieve these goals.

This position covers areas other than fintech as well.

Position

Why We Hire

We are looking to work with an individual who can propose and implement improvements and efficiencies in intellectual property operations across the Rakuten’sgroup from an IT and systems perspective.

Position Details

You will be involved in the following tasks:

- Receive consultations and requests from users regarding the improvement and efficiency of intellectual property operations across the Rakuten’s group and explore and propose solutions from an IT and systems perspective

- System Architectural Work: Consider and decide on implementation for the our systems (including intellectual property management systems, RPA, tools, etc.) taking into account the design philosophy

- Implementation and release tasks (communication with outsourcing partners if outsourced)

- Responding to user inquiries and addressing issues

- Operation of the intellectual property management system

- Project and task management related to the above

- Maintaining and strengthening relationships with vendors of the intellectual property management system

*Depending on the situation and your preferences, you may also be responsible for managing the organization that oversees intellectual property management operations and systems

Work Environment

Approximately 30 members in Intellectual Property Department of Rakuten Group, Inc.: 8 members in IPX section

Our section consists predominantly of mid-career members who have come from the intellectual property departments of other corporations.

Mandatory Qualifications

Those who meet all of the following:

- Experience participating in system development projects

- Experience in organizing and adjusting various user requests during system implementation to reach practical conclusions

- Knowledge of IT and systems

- Knowledge of procedures for the prosecution and maintenance of intellectual property rights

Desired Qualifications

- Experience leading system development projects

- Experience in the implementation and operation of intellectual property management systems (especially ANAQUA)

- Experience and knowledge in development using RPA, VBA, Microsoft Access, SQL, etc.

- Knowledge of workflows in a corporate intellectual property department (e.g., application approval processes, reward payments, contracts, procurement, finance/accounting)

- Knowledge of prosecution and maintenance procedures across a wide range of legal jurisdictions (patents, designs, trademarks, copyrights) and countries (Japan, US, Europe/China, Singapore, India, etc.)

- Experience managing a small team

OthersInformation:

Additional information on Location

Rakuten Crimson House (Futako-Tamagawa)

Additional information on English Qualification

Some materials and communications with vendors regarding the intellectual property management system (ANAQUA) are in English, so situations requiring both reading/writing and speaking/listening skills do arise. However, speaking and listening skills are not required very frequently.

#corporate #legal #IP #audit #operationdiv

Languages:

English (Overall - 2 - Intermediate), Japanese (Overall - 3 - Advanced)