Consultant, Advanced Analytics

Job Description:

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 Advertising provides advertising technology and consumer insights to the world’s leading brands and retailers. Working with agencies and brands around the world, Rakuten Advertising unites technology, client strategy and consumer insights to deliver advertising experiences that drive increased brand awareness and marketing performance. With access to Rakuten’s diverse media properties and audiences, combined with an award-winning performance network and proprietary consumer research, Rakuten Advertising creates the right conditions to reach new customers and sustain long-lasting loyalty.

Job Summary:

Responsible for the development and execution of analyses that address specific client issues or initiatives.   This role proactively identifies trends and issues utilizing a comprehensive range of analytic techniques and tools, translating complex business questions into actionable analytical solutions. The Consultant liaises directly with client services, network development, and operational personnel, and engages directly with clients to ensure the appropriateness of underlying assumptions and interpretations, and to provide expert direction on client analytics solutions/services, both internally and externally.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and delivery of client analytics and reporting activities, driving client relationship building, and managing the overall project lifecycle of externally focused analytic deliverables.
• Independently develop and refine methodologies, tools, and templates to allow for the successful execution of analytic deliverables. Proactively identify opportunities for innovation and efficiency.
• Support the ongoing development of the Advanced Analytics group capabilities by sharing innovative approaches and solutions with the broader team, and actively mentor junior team members.
• Participate in various activities to support the growth of the Advanced Analytics group including:
  • Developing and delivering training content to Account Management and other internal functions.
  • Leading the development and maintenance of appropriate documentation regarding advanced analytic approaches, metric definitions, etc.
• Proactively identify client business needs and translate them into robust analytical questions and solution designs.
• Present complex analytical findings and strategic recommendations directly to clients, influencing their decision-making processes.

Specific tasks:

• Client Insights & Solution Design:
  • Lead client discussions to define analytical objectives and scope, guiding them towards the most impactful solutions.
  • Design and execute advanced custom analyses leveraging internal tools/databases (e.g., benchmarking, publisher optimization, program performance analysis), delivering comprehensive insights and strategic recommendations.
  • Develop and optimize complex trend analyses and performance dashboards, ensuring they align with evolving client needs and provide actionable intelligence.
• Data Quality & Operational Excellence:
  • Oversee and ensure the integrity and accuracy of recurring reports and data pipelines, proactively resolving complex data discrepancies.
  • Manage and adapt reporting structures to accommodate complex client requirements, including fiscal calendar challenges.
  • Investigate and resolve complex discrepancies between dashboards and manual reports, implementing long-term solutions for data consistency.
• Strategic Support:
  • Independently assess and forecast sales potential for prospects based on comprehensive data analysis and market insights, providing strategic input to sales teams.
  • Contribute to the strategic development of new analytical products and services based on client needs and market trends.

Qualifications and Minimum Requirements:

Candidate will have at least 2 years of experience in analytics/reporting, with a strong focus on client-facing roles or significant project ownership. Successful candidates may bring experience from an agency, client, or consulting environment. Bachelor’s degree required.

• Advanced Analytical Skills – Expert in analyzing and synthesizing complex information to understand issues, identify root causes, and propose optimal solutions. Demonstrated ability to independently translate ambiguous business requirements into precise analytical questions and comprehensive solution designs. Proven ability to utilize and expand prospective business models.
• Technical Abilities - Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including advanced functions, VBA), and strong experience with Business Intelligence (BI) tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, MicroStrategy) for dashboard development and data visualization. Proficiency in SQL for data extraction and manipulation is required. Familiarity with Python or R for advanced analytics and automation is highly beneficial.
• Client & Stakeholder Management – Proven ability to independently manage diverse client and internal stakeholder relationships, effectively communicating complex analytical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Builds strong networks and acts as a trusted advisor.
• Organizing and Planning - Demonstrated ability to independently plan, organize, and prioritize multiple complex projects, effectively balancing resources, skills, priorities, and timescales to achieve objectives.
• Adaptability -  Adaptable and proactive in responding to changing circumstances, effectively managing, solving problems, and providing innovative solutions in ambiguous environments.
• Communicating Effectively – Written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to adjust messaging to fit diverse audiences and deliver compelling presentations that drive action.
• Team Player – Proven ability to manage strong working relationships within the company, and actively contribute to team knowledge sharing, mentorship, and best practices.
• Critical Thinking – Strong in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to complex problems.
• Plan for Contingencies – Proactively identifies potential problems and independently creates robust contingency plans or “work-arounds” to ensure project success.
• Understanding the Business – Knows the mission-critical technical and functional skills needed; understands various types of business propositions and how businesses operate. Continuously learns new methods and technologies.

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