Sr. Director, FP&A

Rakuten Rewards•San Francisco, CA

22h

About The Position

Rakuten International, a division of Rakuten Group, Inc., is a global technology leader headquartered in San Mateo, California, with over 4,000 employees worldwide. Its portfolio includes market leaders in e-commerce, digital marketing, advertising, communications, and entertainment, aiming to provide exceptional value by connecting members and businesses. Rakuten is known for its Cash Back shopping platform, partnering with thousands of brands and having awarded over $4.6 billion in Cash Back to its members since 1999. The company is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Director, FP&A to lead its financial planning and analysis functions. This critical leadership role reports to the CFO of Rakuten Rewards and will collaborate closely with executive leadership, marketing, sales, and other departmental heads to enhance financial performance and optimize resource allocation. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of financial modeling, forecasting, and business analytics, and will be a hands-on leader capable of building high-performing teams and providing strategic guidance to support company objectives.

Requirements

Strategic Thinker: Proven ability to think strategically, translate business objectives into financial plans, and provide actionable insights.
Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of GAAP, financial modeling techniques, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
Analytical Prowess: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations.
Leadership & Communication: Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to build, motivate, and manage high-performing teams. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information to diverse audiences.
Systems Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., Oracle), and Microsoft Excel. Experience with business intelligence and analytics platform (e.g., Tableau)
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and evolving environment with roll up your sleeves attitude
Education: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in FP&A, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.

Nice To Haves

MBA or CPA preferred

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of the company's financial planning processes, including annual budgeting, long-range strategic planning, and monthly forecasting.
Serve as a trusted financial advisor to executive leadership and department heads, providing critical financial insights, variance analysis, and recommendations to drive performance and achieve strategic goals.
Develop and maintain sophisticated financial models (e.g., P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, unit economics, ROI, LTV) to support strategic initiatives, investment decisions, and scenario planning.
Oversee the preparation and presentation of comprehensive financial reports, dashboards, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to the executive team highlighting trends, risks, and opportunities.
Identify opportunities for cost optimization, revenue enhancement, and process improvements across the organization.
Review and evaluate contracts, proposals, and agreements to assess financial implications, ensure alignment with budgetary constraints, and verify compliance with organizational financial policies.
Collaborate with legal, procurement, and department heads to provide financial analysis and recommendations prior to contract approval and execution.
Drive the continuous improvement of FP&A systems, tools, and processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability including AI.
Partner with the Strategic Business Operations team for special projects requested from international parent company
Create a collaborative, engaging, and results-oriented team environment that encourages continuous learning and professional growth.
Drive effective collaboration and communication between the FP&A team and other departments.
Manage the company’s sales compensation process, including plan design, modeling, administration, and performance tracking.
Partner with Sales Leadership to analyze incentive effectiveness and recommend adjustments to drive performance and profitability