MEA Sales Head

Why should you choose us?

Are you interested in working for a Global Leader in E-commerce? Are you excited about working on highly scalable platforms and applications that are accessed by millions of users every day? If so, read on to find out more about the opportunity.

Rakuten Symphony is a Rakuten Group company, providing global B2B services for the mobile telco industry and enabling next-generation, cloud-based, international mobile services. Building on the technology Rakuten used to launch Japan’s newest mobile network, we are taking our mobile offering global. To support our ambitions to provide an innovative cloudnative telco platform for our customers, Rakuten Symphony is looking to recruit and develop top talent from around the globe. We are looking for individuals to join our team across all functional areas of our business – from sales to engineering, support functions to product development. Let’s build the future of mobile telecommunications together!

About Rakuten Group, Inc. (TSE: 4755) is a global leader in internet services that empower individuals, communities, businesses and society. Founded in Tokyo in 1997 as an online marketplace, Rakuten has expanded to offer services in e-commerce, fintech, digital content and communications to approximately 1.5 billion members around the world. The Rakuten Group has over 27,000 employees, and operations in 30 countries and regions. For more information visit https://global.rakuten.com/corp/.

About Rakuten Symphony:

Rakuten Symphony is at the forefront of innovation in the telecommunications and technology industry, offering cutting-edge solutions across Open Radio Access Networks (ORAN), Operations Support Systems (OSS), and private cloud platforms. We are revolutionizing the digital landscape by delivering scalable, high-performance technology to enable seamless digital transformations for our clients.

Job Purpose: We are seeking an experienced Sales Leader to drive growth and market penetration in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa regions. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in telecom, technology, and cloud solutions, with an extensive network across telecom operators and top enterprises in the region.

Key Responsibilities:

Business Development & Sales Strategy:

• Lead sales efforts for ORAN, OSS, and private cloud solutions, driving revenue growth and market share in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
• Develop and execute comprehensive sales strategies that align with the company’s global goals and regional market dynamics.
• Establish and foster strategic partnerships with leading telecom operators and key enterprises, ensuring long-term client relationships.

Market Penetration:

• Leverage existing relationships and develop new connections with top telecom operators and enterprises in the Middle East and Africa.
• Identify and capitalize on new business opportunities in emerging markets within the region.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, technology shifts, and competitive dynamics to position Rakuten Symphony as a market leader.

Client & Stakeholder Management:

• Build and maintain relationships with C-level executives and decision-makers across telecom and enterprise sectors.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, providing insights into technology transitions, business opportunities, and the strategic value of Rakuten Symphony’s offerings.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Product, Marketing, Engineering) to tailor solutions that meet specific client needs.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead a high-performing sales team, providing mentorship and guidance to drive team success.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and excellence within the sales organization.
• Represent Rakuten Symphony at industry conferences and events, enhancing the company’s brand and thought leadership in the region.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field. MBA or other advanced degrees are a plus.
• 15-20 years of executive-level experience in sales, business development, or leadership roles within the telecom or technology industry in MEA region
• Proven track record of driving growth in telecommunications and enterprise sales, particularly with ORAN, OSS, and cloud platforms.
• Deep understanding of the business and technology transitions impacting telecom operators and enterprises in the region.

Network & Relationships:

• Strong connections across the telecom sector and top enterprises in the Middle East and Africa, with a proven ability to leverage relationships for business growth.
• Experience negotiating with senior stakeholders and managing complex sales cycles at the enterprise level.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong understanding of ORAN, OSS, and cloud platform technologies.
• Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and deliver results.

RAKUTEN SHUGI PRINCIPLES:

Our worldwide practices describe specific behaviours that make Rakuten unique and united across the world. We expect Rakuten employees to model these 5 Shugi Principles of Success.

• Always improve, always advance. Only be satisfied with complete success - Kaizen.
• Be passionately professional. Take an uncompromising approach to your work and be determined to be the best.
• Hypothesize - Practice - Validate - Shikumika. Use the Rakuten Cycle to success in unknown territory.
• Maximize Customer Satisfaction. The greatest satisfaction for workers in a service industry is to see their customers smile.
• Speed!! Speed!! Speed!! Always be conscious of time. Take charge, set clear goals, and engage your team.