Job Description:
Rakuten International oversees 7 businesses with over 4,000 employees globally. The brand is recognized for its leadership and innovation in e-commerce, digital content, advertising, entertainment and communications, bringing the joy of discovery and access to more than 1 billion members across the world. Our teams deliver on the company’s mission to delight merchants and customers through innovation, optimism, and teamwork.
Rakuten Viki is a global entertainment streaming platform that specializes in Asian content. Our platform enables millions of viewers to discover and enjoy primetime shows and movies, subtitled in over 150 languages. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, we also have offices in Singapore, Seoul, and Shanghai, ensuring a strong global presence and a deep connection to the heart of Asian entertainment.
Our platform is home to a large and loyal community of fans who share a passion for Asian culture and entertainment. Join us in our mission to bridge cultures and connect the world to Asian entertainment. At Rakuten Viki, we offer a chance to be part of a global community that celebrates culture, creativity, and connection.
Overview
We are seeking a highly motivated Business Development Manager to support Viki’s global partnership strategy, with a primary focus on growing Viki’s subscriber base and subscription revenue.
In this role, you will drive the identification, development, negotiation, and launch of strategic partnerships across telecommunications, digital platforms, connected TV, and the broader consumer ecosystem.
You will develop compelling bundling and distribution opportunities, explore new channels and monetization strategies, and build partnerships that accelerate growth while strengthening brand awareness and customer loyalty.
This role will be based in San Mateo, California, and report to the Director of Business Development.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute partnership strategies aligned with Viki’s growth priorities, with a focus on subscriber acquisition, engagement, retention, subscription revenue, and brand awareness.
Conduct market and competitive research across priority regions to identify consumer trends, market dynamics, and emerging partnership opportunities, and use these insights to inform regional growth strategies.
Identify, evaluate, and develop strategic partnership opportunities across telecommunications, digital platforms, connected TV, brands, and loyalty and rewards ecosystems.
Build business cases, partnership proposals, presentations, and commercial recommendations to evaluate opportunities, align internal stakeholders, and support negotiations with prospective partners.
Develop and negotiate commercial programs , including bundled subscriptions, loyalty and rewards offerings, and partner benefits, that create value for Viki and its partners and drive subscriber and revenue growth.
Own partnerships from opportunity development through launch and ongoing management , including partner outreach, opportunity assessment, commercial structuring, negotiation, contracting, onboarding, launch coordination, and relationship management.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams , including content, marketing, legal, product, finance, and customer experience, to move partnership initiatives from agreement through implementation, launch, and optimization.
Monitor partnership performance and KPIs , using data and partner feedback to identify opportunities to improve conversion, retention, revenue, and overall program performance.
Required Qualifications
At least 5 or more years of experience in business development, partnerships, or related commercial roles with a track record of identifying, developing, negotiating, and closing strategic partnerships.
Professional background within telecommunications, OTT, digital media, subscription, or consumer technology, with a strong understanding of subscription growth and monetization.
Experience owning partnerships…