Intellectual Property (Administration for IP Management System), Rakuten Group Inc.

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’s group 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: 

※Applicants must meet one of the following criteria※
-Experience in system development or implementing external system solutions (industry agnostic; IP experience not required)
-Basic knowledge of intellectual property (both practical and administrative experience acceptable)

Desired Qualifications: 

- Experience organizing and coordinating various user requests during system implementation to reach a realistic compromise
-Development experience and knowledge using RPA tools like Power Automate, VBA, Microsoft Access, and SQL
-Experience implementing and operating intellectual property management systems (especially ANAQUA)
-Leadership experience in system development, implementation, or replacement projects
-The following experience/knowledge related to intellectual property is preferred but not required for application:
・Procedures for obtaining and maintaining intellectual property rights
・ Workflows within corporate intellectual property departments (e.g., application approvals, incentive payments, contracts, procurement, finance/accounting/bookkeeping)
・Procedures for obtaining and maintaining rights across broad legal jurisdictions (patents, designs, trademarks, copyrights) and countries (Japan, US, Europe, China, Singapore, India, etc.)

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.

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