Director, Consumer Communications at Rakuten Rewards | CA, US | Rezi

Director, Consumer Communications at Rakuten Rewards

Director, Consumer Communications

Rakuten Rewards · CA, US

2 weeks ago

Director, Consumer Communications

Rakuten Rewards · CA, US

20 days ago
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About the Role

Rakuten is seeking a Director of Consumer Communications to lead the development and execution of a global, integrated communications strategy that increases brand awareness, builds trust with consumers, and drives long-term brand loyalty. This role plays a critical leadership function in managing communications across key international markets—including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.—ensuring a consistent global narrative while tailoring strategies to local audiences. You will position Rakuten as the #1 shopping destination for earning rewards on everyday purchases, while overseeing agency partners and cross-regional execution to deliver measurable business impact. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President of Brand, Creative and Communications, this role is both strategic and hands-on, with significant visibility across senior leadership.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a senior communications advisor to internal stakeholders and executive leadership, providing a strong point of view, clear recommendations, and data-driven counsel in a fast-paced environment.
  • Lead the development and execution of a cohesive global consumer communications strategy across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., ensuring alignment across regions while allowing for local market nuance; oversee and manage external PR agencies in each market, driving strategic integration, fostering bold thinking, and holding partners accountable to performance metrics and business outcomes.
  • Partner with cross-functional leaders to refine Rakuten’s messaging and narrative framework, aligning communications with broader brand and business priorities.
  • Identify innovative and culturally relevant ways to tell Rakuten’s story, translating business priorities, product innovation, and partnerships into compelling consumer narratives.
  • Identify and activate high-impact opportunities to amplify Rakuten’s brand and business partnerships—including collaborations with American Express and Bilt—by developing integrated communications strategies that drive awareness, credibility, and customer acquisition.
  • Partner with the Sports & Entertainment team to support communications strategies tied to marquee partnerships—including the Golden State Warriors, Golden State Valkyries, and San Francisco 49ers—shaping narratives, managing media engagement, preparing spokespeople, and amplifying culturally relevant moments that drive brand awareness, credibility, and customer acquisition.
  • Lead media strategy and execution, including interview preparation, thought leadership development, media briefings, and coverage amplification.
  • Create high-quality written content, including press releases, statements, Q&A, briefing materials, award submissions, and media pitches.
  • Define and evolve measurement frameworks, including media quality, message pull-through, attribution, and impact on brand and growth KPIs; regularly report insights to leadership.
  • Integrate AI and LLM considerations into communications strategy, ensuring earned media and brand narratives are optimized for AI-driven search and discovery.
  • Support crisis communications and reputation management, partnering with global teams to protect and strengthen brand trust.

Requirements

  • Proven experience leading global communications programs and managing multiple external PR agencies, with a hands-on, “lead from the front” approach.
  • Strong experience overseeing agency strategy, performance, and relationships—driving accountability, creativity, and measurable business impact.
  • Strong business acumen and deep understanding of the retail, ecommerce, and media landscapes.
  • Experience partnering with performance marketing, growth, or partnerships teams, with a clear understanding of how communications drives acquisition and retention.
  • Highly creative storyteller with a track record of generating newsworthy ideas and securing impactful media coverage.
  • Strong analytical mindset with the ability to measure performance and continuously optimize strategies.
  • Comfortable operating in fast-paced, matrixed organizations with evolving priorities.
  • Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
  • Experience with both traditional and digital communications tools and platforms.

Skills

  • B2C public relations
  • Global brand storytelling
  • Media relationships
  • AI and LLM considerations in communications
  • Crisis communications
  • Reputation management

Location

  • San Mateo, California

Work Type

  • Full-time

Experience Level

  • 10–15 years of relevant experience
  • Demonstrated experience managing global or multi-regional communications programs
  • Experience in fashion, retail, ecommerce, or consumer technology strongly preferred

Salary/Compensations

  • USD $113,157.00 - $211,032.00 annually

Benefits

  • Discretionary bonus
  • Health insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • 401k matching
  • PTO
  • Volunteer Time Off (VTO)

About the Company

  • 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 is the most rewarding way to shop, giving millions of members Cash Back when they buy from their favorite brands.
  • As a leading shopping platform, Rakuten partners with thousands of top brands across apparel, beauty and wellness, grocery, travel, on-demand services, subscriptions, and dining, helping members save on everyday purchases.
  • Since 1999, Rakuten members have earned more than $4.6 billion in Cash Back, making it the largest Cash Back platform of its kind.
  • Learn more at Rakuten.com.

Equal Opportunity

  • 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.