Sr. UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. UX Designer Company: Rakuten Location: New York, NY (Remote Tier 2), Boston, Massachusetts, Seattle, Washington Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Date Posted: July 23, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4+ years) Remote Status: Remote (Tier 2 designation suggests potential for hybrid or occasional in-office requirements depending on specific team needs or project phases, but generally remote-first)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead user experience (UX) strategy and design concept development for diverse projects, including potential AI-driven products, balancing key performance indicator (KPI) achievement with enhanced user experience.
• Design intuitive, visually appealing, and accessible user interfaces (UI) that align with brand guidelines and business objectives, translating user research findings into actionable design recommendations.
• Conduct comprehensive UX research, including usability testing, user interviews, surveys, and A/B testing, to identify areas for improvement and optimize design performance.
• Manage and optimize web content, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and adherence to brand voice and SEO best practices, while administering content workflows and coordinating publishing schedules.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, AI specialists, marketing, and legal, with a strong emphasis on communication and alignment with Japan-based headquarters and business units.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Sr. UX Designer," the responsibilities encompass elements of content strategy, SEO, and direct collaboration with AI/Data divisions, suggesting a broad scope. The "NY-Remote Tier 2" location implies that while remote, there might be an expectation for occasional travel or presence in a specified region for critical meetings or team events, particularly given the global nature of Rakuten. The emphasis on Japanese collaboration and language proficiency is a critical differentiator for this role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead UX strategy and design concept development for key initiatives, integrating user-centered design principles with business goals and technical feasibility.
• Design user interfaces (UI) that are not only aesthetically pleasing and on-brand but also highly intuitive, accessible, and efficient for diverse user segments.
• Develop comprehensive user flows, wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and gather stakeholder feedback.
• Plan and execute a variety of user research methodologies, including usability testing, user interviews, surveys, and heuristic evaluations, to uncover user needs and pain points.
• Analyze user data, research findings, and performance metrics to identify opportunities for UX/UI optimization and inform iterative design improvements.
• Create, edit, and manage web content, ensuring it is clear, accurate, engaging, and aligned with brand voice, style guides, and organizational objectives.
• Administer content workflows and coordinate publishing schedules to ensure timely and accurate delivery of web materials, supporting marketing campaigns and business objectives.
• Optimize web content using SEO best practices to improve search visibility and drive organic traffic.
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with Product Managers, Engineers, AI Specialists, Marketing teams, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of UX/UI design throughout the product lifecycle.
• Champion user-centered design principles and best practices across the organization, advocating for the user in all design decisions.
• Ensure the quality and consistency of the user experience across all digital platforms through rigorous quality assurance activities, including usability testing and heuristic evaluations.
• Collaborate with international teams, particularly those in Japan, to align on UX quality assurance initiatives and ensure a cohesive global user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a senior-level role requiring strategic thinking, leadership in design execution, and strong cross-functional influence. The dual focus on AI-driven products and web content management, coupled with the emphasis on Japanese collaboration, suggests a unique blend of technical understanding and cultural fluency is paramount.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Computer Science, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• 4+ years of progressive experience as a UX Designer, Product Designer, or in a similar role focused on creating user-centered digital experiences.
• Proven track record of partnering effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and Marketing teams to shape broader product strategies and deliver successful user experiences.
• Demonstrated experience in leading UX strategy and design concept development for complex projects, with a portfolio showcasing a range of design solutions.
• Experience in web content management, editing, and optimization, with an understanding of SEO principles.

Required Skills:

• User-Centered Design (UCD): Deep understanding and practical application of UCD principles, user flows, information architecture, and interaction design.
• UX Research Methodologies: Proficiency in planning and conducting various research methods, including usability testing, user interviews, surveys, and contextual inquiries.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Expertise in creating high-fidelity mockups, wireframes, and interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools.
• Design Tools: Advanced proficiency in UX design and prototyping tools such as Figma, FigJam, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), or similar.
• Data Analysis & Interpretation: Strong analytical skills to translate user research findings, website analytics, and performance data into actionable design and content recommendations.
• Web Content Management: Ability to create, edit, proofread, and manage web content, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and brand consistency.
• SEO Best Practices: Knowledge of search engine optimization principles and how to apply them to web content for improved visibility.
• Collaboration & Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present design concepts, research findings, and recommendations effectively to diverse stakeholders.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with product management, engineering, marketing, and other cross-functional teams.
• Japanese Language Proficiency: Native-level Japanese language proficiency is a mandatory requirement for this role, essential for frequent and nuanced communication with Rakuten's Tokyo Headquarters and core Japanese business units.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in an international business environment, understanding global market nuances.
• Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) and A/B testing platforms.
• Experience in designing for AI-driven products or services.
• Understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG) and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for native-level Japanese proficiency is a critical filter for this role, indicating significant interaction with Japanese teams and a need for deep cultural understanding in communication and decision-making processes. The "Sr." title implies a need for strategic leadership in design and collaboration, not just execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 4+ years of UX design experience, with a strong emphasis on user-centered design principles and process.
• Case studies demonstrating end-to-end UX design projects, from initial research and strategy development through to UI design, prototyping, and user testing.
• Examples of how you've translated user research findings and data analysis into tangible UI/UX improvements that positively impacted business objectives or KPIs.
• Prototypes or interactive demonstrations of your design work, highlighting your proficiency with tools like Figma, Adobe XD, or similar.
• Specific examples of web content you've managed and optimized, demonstrating your writing, editing, and SEO skills.
• Evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing) and how you've navigated stakeholder feedback and differing opinions.
• Projects that demonstrate an understanding of information architecture and how to structure complex information logically.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your process for conducting user research, including methodologies used, participant recruitment, and how findings were documented and shared.
• Illustrate your approach to wireframing and prototyping, including the evolution of designs based on feedback and testing.
• Provide examples of how you've applied A/B testing or other data-driven optimization techniques to improve user experience or content performance.
• Demonstrate your workflow for web content creation, editing, and publishing, including any content management systems (CMS) you have experience with.
• Include examples of how you've collaborated with engineers and product managers to ensure design feasibility and successful implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Designer role, the portfolio should not just showcase final designs but critically, the process behind them. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their decision-making rationale, research methodologies, and how they've measured the impact of their work. Given the global nature and the Japanese collaboration requirement, demonstrating cross-cultural collaboration within the portfolio would be highly beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The estimated base salary range for this position is $80,355 - $136,400 USD annually. This range is dependent on factors such as the candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, business needs, and geographic location.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage.
• Vision Insurance: Coverage for eye care.
• Dental Insurance: Dental care benefits.
• 401k Matching: Retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous time off for vacation, personal days, and sick leave.
• Volunteer Time Off (VTO): Paid time off to engage in volunteer activities.
• Discretionary Bonus: Eligibility for a performance-based bonus.
• Other Employee Benefits: As the company implements, suggesting potential for additional perks and benefits.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours for this role are typically 40 hours per week, aligning with a full-time employment status. Given the remote nature and global team collaboration (especially with Japan), flexibility in working hours may be beneficial to accommodate different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a standard estimate for a Senior UX Designer in the US market. However, the "Remote Tier 2" designation in New York might imply specific regional pay adjustments, though the stated range is broad enough to likely encompass most US locations. The strong emphasis on Japanese collaboration might necessitate flexibility in working hours to overlap with teams in Japan.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, FinTech, Digital Content, Communications, Internet Services. Rakuten is a diversified technology conglomerate operating a vast ecosystem of services. Company Size: Rakuten is a large, global corporation, likely employing tens of thousands of people worldwide. (LinkedIn data for Rakuten Inc. typically shows 20,000+ employees). Founded: 1997. Rakuten has a long history of growth and innovation, achieving 27 consecutive years of revenue growth.

Team Structure:

• The role is within Rakuten’s America AI & Data Division.
• This division likely comprises specialists in AI, machine learning, data science, analytics, and user experience, focusing on leveraging data to improve products and services.
• Collaboration will extend beyond this immediate division to Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and potentially Legal teams, both within the Americas and critically, with teams in Tokyo Headquarters.
• The emphasis on communication with Japanese business units suggests a need for understanding hierarchical structures and decision-making processes common in Japanese corporate culture.

Methodology:

• Rakuten emphasizes a user-centered design approach, aiming to empower users and society through innovation.
• The company operates on a data-driven model, leveraging AI and its extensive user base for insights and service improvement.
• The "Rakuten Cycle" (Hypothesize - Practice - Validate – Shikumika) is a core methodology for driving innovation and succeeding in unknown territories.
• A strong focus on efficiency and continuous improvement (Kaizen) is embedded in the company's principles.

Company Website: https://www.rakuten.com/ (Note: The provided URL in the input was empty, this is a common public-facing link for Rakuten Americas)

📝 Enhancement Note: Rakuten's culture is a blend of global innovation with strong Japanese roots. Understanding and respecting Japanese business etiquette, communication styles, and decision-making processes will be crucial for success in this role, given the direct collaboration requirement. The "AI & Data Division" context suggests a forward-thinking, analytical, and technologically advanced team environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX Designer position, indicating a level of expertise and responsibility beyond entry-level or mid-level. It implies the ability to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and contribute significantly to product strategy. Reporting Structure: The role is within the America AI & Data Division. The direct reporting line is not specified, but it would likely be to a UX Lead, Design Manager, or Head of Product/Design within that division. Crucially, there will be significant indirect reporting and collaboration with stakeholders in Japan. Operations Impact: As a Sr. UX Designer, the impact is on the usability, desirability, and effectiveness of Rakuten's digital products and services. This directly influences user engagement, customer satisfaction, conversion rates, and ultimately, revenue generation and brand perception. Contributions to AI-driven products highlight a role at the forefront of technological innovation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead UX design for significant projects, potentially managing junior designers or leading specific design initiatives.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven product design, data visualization, or specific e-commerce/FinTech UX challenges.
• Global Exposure: Work on international projects and gain experience collaborating with diverse global teams, particularly within Rakuten's extensive network.
• Skill Expansion: Develop skills in areas like UX strategy, user research leadership, and potentially product management collaboration.
• Career Progression: Potential to move into Lead UX Designer, Design Manager, or Product Manager roles within Rakuten.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr." title, combined with Rakuten's global scale and focus on innovation, presents significant opportunities for career advancement. The ability to bridge US and Japanese design and business practices will be a key differentiator for growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While the primary location is listed as "NY-Remote Tier 2," Rakuten operates globally and may have physical offices in New York, Boston, or Seattle. The "Remote Tier 2" designation suggests a remote-first approach with potential for occasional in-office collaboration or team meetings, possibly at a designated hub if available. Office Location(s): The derived locations include New York, NY, Boston, Massachusetts, and Seattle, Washington. The "NY-Remote Tier 2" implies that while the role is remote, the candidate may be expected to reside in or be willing to travel to the New York area for specific events.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a highly collaborative setting, involving frequent interaction with product managers, engineers, data scientists, and marketing professionals.
• Global Integration: Significant collaboration with teams in Japan will be a key aspect of the work environment, requiring strong cross-cultural communication skills.
• Technology-Driven: Access to modern design tools and technologies, as well as internal platforms and systems used by Rakuten.
• Dynamic Pace: Rakuten operates in fast-paced, evolving technology sectors, so the environment will likely be dynamic and demanding.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work week is 40 hours. However, given the need to collaborate with teams in different time zones, particularly Japan (which is 13-15 hours ahead of US time zones), flexibility in working hours may be necessary or beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote Tier 2" designation is somewhat ambiguous. It's crucial for candidates to clarify expectations regarding any required in-office days or travel, especially concerning the significant collaboration with Japan-based teams. The environment will likely be a mix of independent work and intensive cross-functional collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review applications and portfolios for basic qualifications, design experience, and Japanese language proficiency.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will typically be asked to present their portfolio, walking through key case studies and explaining their design process, decision-making, and impact. This is often a critical stage.
• Technical/Skills Interview: This may involve design challenges, problem-solving exercises, or discussions about specific UX methodologies and tools.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially Marketing or AI specialists to assess collaboration skills and understanding of technical/business constraints.
• Cultural/Behavioral Interview: To assess alignment with Rakuten's "Five Principles of Success" and overall cultural fit, especially regarding collaboration with Japanese teams.
• Final Round: May involve interviews with senior leadership or department heads.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process, Not Just Pixels: Clearly articulate your design journey, including research, ideation, iteration, and validation. Explain why you made certain design decisions.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction scores).
• Tailor to Rakuten: Highlight projects relevant to Rakuten's business areas (e-commerce, FinTech, AI) and demonstrate an understanding of their ecosystem and user base.
• Address Collaboration: Include examples of how you've successfully collaborated with diverse teams, handled feedback, and navigated differing opinions, especially emphasizing cross-cultural collaboration if possible.
• Highlight Language Skills: If showcasing work that involved Japanese language content or collaboration, explicitly mention this.
• Prepare for Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio concisely and engagingly, anticipating questions about your process, challenges, and outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential design challenges that might involve creating a user flow, wireframing a specific feature, or analyzing a given user problem.
• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically under pressure.
• Understand Rakuten's products and ecosystem to frame your solutions within their context.
• Prepare to discuss how you would approach user research and content optimization for a given scenario.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design process and rationale. The Japanese language requirement and the need to collaborate with Japanese teams mean that cultural awareness and communication style will be as important as technical design skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design & Prototyping: Figma, FigJam, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, XD), Sketch, InVision, Axure RP. Proficiency in Figma is explicitly mentioned as required.
• User Research Platforms: Tools for user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, SurveyMonkey, Typeform).
• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms for tracking user behavior and website performance.
• SEO Tools: Knowledge of tools like Google Search Console, SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz for SEO best practices.
• Content Management Systems (CMS): Experience with CMS platforms for managing and publishing web content (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, or custom internal systems).
• Collaboration Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence for team communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics (preferred).
• Tools for data visualization and dashboard creation (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker) might be used by the broader team.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how UX impacts CRM processes or data capture in a CRM context could be beneficial.
• Familiarity with marketing automation platforms might be a plus for content delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a must. Beyond that, a broad understanding of the UX toolkit, including research, analytics, and content management systems, is expected. Experience with web analytics and SEO tools is noted as a plus, indicating their importance in optimizing content.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values: Rakuten's core values, known as the "Five Principles of Success," are central to its culture:

• Always improve, Always Advance (Kaizen): A commitment to continuous improvement, never settling for the status quo.
• Passionately Professional: Dedication to delivering high-quality work with an uncompromising approach.
• Hypothesize - Practice - Validate – Shikumika (Rakuten Cycle): A structured approach to innovation and problem-solving.
• Maximize Customer Satisfaction: Placing the customer experience at the forefront of all efforts.
• Speed!! Speed!! Speed!!: Emphasizing urgency, proactivity, and efficient execution.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with diverse teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing, AI/Data).
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Decisions are heavily influenced by user data, research findings, and performance metrics.
• Global Partnership: A significant aspect will be collaborating with teams in Japan, requiring adaptability in communication styles and an understanding of Japanese business etiquette.
• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that encourages feedback exchange to refine designs and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how their work and behavior align with Rakuten's five principles, particularly "Speed," "Kaizen," and "Customer Satisfaction." The emphasis on Japanese collaboration means understanding nuances in communication and decision-making is key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Global Teams: Effectively collaborating with and understanding the needs of diverse international teams, particularly those in Japan, can present communication and cultural challenges.
• Balancing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Aligning the goals of product management, engineering, marketing, and business units, while advocating for the user.
• AI Product Integration: Designing intuitive user experiences for potentially complex AI-driven products and services.
• Content Optimization: Continuously improving web content for clarity, engagement, and SEO performance in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to the dynamic pace of a global technology company and meeting ambitious deadlines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like AI-driven UX, complex data visualization, or large-scale e-commerce platforms.
• Cross-Cultural Competency: Developing strong skills in international collaboration and communication through direct work with Japanese teams.
• Product Strategy Involvement: Contributing to broader product strategy, not just UI execution.
• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior designers or leaders within Rakuten's global design organization.
• Industry Exposure: Working with a wide array of services across e-commerce, FinTech, and digital content provides broad industry exposure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and growth opportunity lie in the cross-cultural collaboration aspect. Succesfully navigating this will not only make the candidate effective in the role but also significantly enhance their career development in global product design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through a complex UX project from start to finish. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on UCD, research, iteration, and collaboration).
• Problem Solving: "How would you approach designing a user experience for a new AI-powered recommendation engine for our e-commerce platform?" (Demonstrate analytical thinking and user-centricity).
• Content Optimization: "How do you ensure web content is both user-friendly and optimized for search engines? Describe a time you improved content performance." (Highlight SEO and user clarity).
• Collaboration & Communication: "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders with differing opinions on a design. How did you approach it, especially considering potential communication differences with international teams?" (Focus on communication, negotiation, and cultural awareness).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Rakuten and its ecosystem of services?" (Show research into Rakuten's business and mission).
• "How do you align with Rakuten's 'Five Principles of Success'?" (Prepare specific examples for each principle).
• "How would you approach collaborating with teams based in Japan, considering potential cultural and communication differences?" (Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and proactive communication strategies).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as narratives with a clear problem, your proposed solution, your process, and the measurable impact.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Use metrics to show how your designs improved user experience or business outcomes.
• Highlight Collaboration: Showcase examples of teamwork and how you managed feedback from stakeholders.
• Demonstrate Process: Be ready to explain your decision-making at each stage, from research to final design.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time and present your most relevant work efficiently.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice thinking aloud and articulating your design rationale clearly.
• Be prepared to sketch or wireframe solutions quickly.
• Consider how you would gather user feedback for any proposed design.
• Think about how your design choices align with business goals and technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize the ability to clearly articulate design process, demonstrate impact through data, and crucially, showcase cultural awareness and communication skills for effective collaboration with Japanese teams.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Rakuten Careers portal link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features case studies demonstrating your UX design process, user research capabilities, UI design skills, and quantifiable outcomes. Tailor it to highlight experience relevant to e-commerce, AI, and web content management.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly highlight your 4+ years of UX design experience, proficiency in required tools (especially Figma), and your native-level Japanese language proficiency. Use keywords from the job description and quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, preparing specific examples for behavioral questions, and rehearsing your portfolio presentation. Focus on demonstrating how you embody Rakuten's "Five Principles of Success" and how you would collaborate effectively with international teams.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Rakuten's diverse business units, its mission, and its commitment to innovation. Pay particular attention to how AI and data are integrated into their services and understand their global presence, especially their Japanese operations.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.