AI Strategy & Implementation Manager

Job Description:
We are looking for a visionary and hands-on leader to spearhead our AI initiatives within the dynamic video on-demand landscape. You will be responsible for identifying strategic opportunities, architecting and developing AI solutions. This pivotal role requires a strong blend of strategic thinking, deep technical expertise, and a passion for building AI capabilities from the ground up to deliver measurable impact and enhance the user experience.
Company Overview
Rakuten TV is a leading streaming platform, available in 42 countries of Europe, which offers premium Hollywood and local content across various types of access: Transactional Video-on-demand (ie buy or rent movies), AVOD (advertising-based on-demand content) or FAST (linear free TV channels with ads). Rakuten TV forms part of Rakuten Group one of the worlds’ leading internet services companies, offering a wide variety of services for consumers and businesses, with a focus on e-commerce, fintech and digital content.
Our Rakuten mission:
Contribute to society by creating value through innovation and entrepreneurship. By providing high-quality services that help our users and partners grow, we aim to advance and enrich society.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Define and Execute AI Strategy & Vision
Collaborate closely with business stakeholders to identify high-impact AI opportunities for content discovery, personalization, and operational efficiency.
Research, evaluate, and select cutting-edge AI technologies and methodologies best suited to our platform's needs and strategic goals.
Develop a clear, actionable AI strategy and roadmap, taking ownership from conceptualization through to successful implementation.
2. Architect, Develop, and Lead AI Solution Delivery
Design, build, and deploy robust and scalable AI systems, taking a hands-on approach to development and integration.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a junior AI developer, guiding their growth and ensuring best practices in AI agent building.
Oversee the entire lifecycle of AI projects, ensuring technical excellence, operational stability, and continuous optimization of deployed solutions.
Collaborate closely with product, technology, BI and other departments to successfully integrate AI solutions and promote adoption.
3. Drive End-to-End AI Initiative Execution & Optimization
Manage AI projects from ideation to production, including data preparation, system design, deployment, and ongoing monitoring.
Implement iterative development cycles, focusing on delivering tangible value quickly and continuously refining AI performance.
Communicate technical progress, challenges, and the business impact of AI solutions clearly to all relevant stakeholders.
4. Generate Transformative Business Impact through AI
Prioritize AI initiatives based on their potential to significantly improve key business metrics such as viewers engagement, content consumption, and operational efficiency.
Establish clear metrics and reporting for AI solution performance, demonstrating quantifiable returns on investment.
Actively identify and champion innovative AI applications that will drive competitive advantage and future growth for our video on-demand platform.
Requirements:
Computer Engineer University degree or equivalent experience (not less than 3 years).
3+ years of hands-on experience in AI engineering, with significant experience in leading projects or technical initiatives.]
Proven ability to design, develop, and deploy production-ready AI solutions, with expertise in relevant programming languages (e.g., Python) and AI development frameworks and libraries.
Strong strategic thinking combined with a deep technical understanding of AI principles, system architectures, and data processing for AI applications.
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and mentorship skills, with a passion for building and delivering impactful AI capabilities.
Experience with cloud-based AI platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and AI services and APIs from providers like OpenAI, Anthropic and similar.
Some good reasons to apply:
Join a leading global tech company.
Flexible work: hybrid model, flexible hours and Friday afternoon off!
Fast-track your career in a high-growth environment.
Interesting training resources & free language classes.
Enjoy a great work atmosphere, team activities & offsites.
Modern, sustainable offices near Barcelona beach. Wellbeing focused.
Access wellbeing & mental health platforms.
Free coffee, juice & lunch allowance in the office.
Work with a diverse team of 24+ nationalities!
Flexible Remuneration: medical insurance or extra funds for meals/commuting/childcare.
Access to Urban Sports!
Rakuten Shugi principles:
Rakuten Group has an unswerving commitment to building an egalitarian society by empowering individuals and companies to be successful in business and in life. We expect “Rakutenians” to model these 5 “Shugi” Principles of Success:
Always improve, always advance. With enough determination and effort, you can achieve anything.
Be passionately professional. Be determined to be the best.
Hypothesize - Practice - Validate - Shikumika. Success in business depends on making and executing concrete specific action plans.
Maximize Customer Satisfaction. The greatest satisfaction in a service industry is to see our customers smile.
Speed!! Speed!! Speed!! Always be conscious of time. Take charge, set clear goals, and engage yourself and your team.
Our D&I mission:
Rakuten’s corporate mission is to “contribute to society by creating value through innovation and entrepreneurship.” We foster a culture that provides equal opportunities to those who share this founding philosophy and take on the challenge to transform society, regardless gender, age, sexual orientation, race, religion, culture, nationality, disability, or any other status. Diversity is one of Rakuten's core strategies and a driving force for innovation. To continue to provide innovative services, we strive to respect the uniqueness and values of every one of our Rakutenians, located all around the world, and to create environments where they are able to demonstrate their full potential.
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