Senior Talent Management Specialist

Job Description:

Rakuten Group, Inc. is a global leader in internet services and has a diverse ecosystem spanning across e-commerce, fintech, communications and more serving approximately 1.8 billion members worldwide. Founded in Tokyo in 1997, the Group operates in over 30 countries and regions with more than 30,000 employees. 

Based in Singapore's Central Business District, Rakuten Asia Pte. Ltd. serves as the regional headquarters for Asia, driving value through areas such as advertising product development, product strategy, and data management to support Rakuten Group's global ecosystem. 

Learn more at: https://global.rakuten.com/corp/

As a Senior Talent Management Specialist / Assistant Manager, you will support and deliver regional talent initiatives across performance management, leadership and talent development, succession planning, career development, and employee engagement. You will work closely with business and HR leaders across APAC to translate talent priorities and employee engagement insights into practical programmes and actions.

This is a hands-on regional role where you will have the opportunity to design solutions, implement programmes, measure their impact, and continuously improve how we develop and engage our people. You will also explore and implement appropriate uses of AI and digital tools within Talent Management and Development workflows to improve productivity, efficiency, and impact.

Key Responsibilities

1. Talent Management

• Performance Management: Support and coordinate end-to-end performance management cycles, including Objectives/KPI setting and semi-annual performance appraisals.
• Performance Calibration: Consolidate and analyse performance data to support calibration sessions, appraisal outcomes, and promotion discussions.
• Talent Strategy & Frameworks: Support the development and implementation of talent strategies and frameworks aligned with business priorities and longer-term workforce needs.
• Talent Analytics & Profiling: Track talent metrics, maintain talent profiles, and analyse workforce trends to provide insights for leadership decision-making.
• Talent Review & Succession Planning: Support talent reviews and succession planning processes, including tracking successor readiness and development or transition plans.
• Career Frameworks & Pathways: Contribute to the development and enhancement of career pathways, progression frameworks, and management and technical career tracks.
• Individual Development Plans: Promote and embed Individual Development Plans (IDPs), aligning employee development aspirations with organisational capability needs and tracking development progress.

2. Leadership & Talent Development

• Learning Planning & Coordination: Support the development and management of Rakuten Asia's annual learning calendar and provide support to APAC business entities where required. Coordinate learning vendors, budgets and participation.
• Training Needs Analysis: Conduct training needs assessments to identify capability and leadership development gaps and recommend appropriate interventions.
• Programme Design & Delivery: Curate, design, and deliver soft-skills, leadership, and management development programmes and learning pathways. Facilitate or co-facilitate sessions where appropriate.
• Evaluation & Analytics: Monitor participation and completion, gather learner feedback, and evaluate programme effectiveness using relevant metrics and dashboards.
• LMS & Digital Learning: Administer learning platforms, maintain learning records, update digital learning content, and support the deployment of virtual learning resources.
• Talent Development: Support initiatives to develop, retain, and mobilise talent across business functions and markets.

3. Employee Engagement & Team Development

• Employee Surveys: Support the implementation of employee engagement surveys and pulse checks to gather employee feedback and identify organisational priorities.
• Insights & Action Planning: Analyse survey findings, identify key themes and opportunities, and partner with department leaders to develop and track appropriate action plans.
• Team Development: Facilitate targeted team-development workshops and activities aimed at strengthening collaboration, team effectiveness, and trust.

4. Stakeholder Management

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with HR Business Partners (HRBPs), Global and Regional Programme Leaders, Centres of Excellence (COEs), and business leaders to understand talent needs and align priorities.
• Consulting & Advisory: Provide guidance to managers on talent management, employee development, team development, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Internal & External Partnerships: Build effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, subject matter experts, learning partners, and relevant industry partners.

5. AI & Digital Enablement

• Workflow Automation & Productivity: Identify and implement appropriate uses of AI and digital tools to streamline Talent Management and Development workflows, routine administration, communications, reporting, and change-management activities.
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to reduce manual work and enhance the effectiveness and scalability of talent programmes.
• Data & Insights: Explore opportunities to use digital tools and analytics to improve talent insights and support data-informed decision-making.

Requirements

• Degree in Human Resources, Business, Psychology, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Approximately 5 years of relevant experience in Talent Management, Learning & Development, Organisational Development, or a related HR discipline.
• Experience supporting talent or development initiatives in a regional or multinational environment is advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to translate business and employee development needs into practical programmes and initiatives.
• Experience facilitating workshops, training, or learning sessions.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships and influence stakeholders across different organisational levels and markets.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience interpreting people or programme data and translating findings into actionable recommendations.
• Strong project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.
• Attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate employee, talent, and learning records.

Rakuten is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications regardless of sex, marital status, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religious belief or age.