At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic transformation opportunities with Tier-1 telecom operators and drive innovative solutions.
- Company: Join Rakuten Symphony, a global leader in telecom innovation and cloud-native platforms.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, global opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of telecommunications.
- Other info: Dynamic environment focused on continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of telecom transformation and work with top-tier executives.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in telecom or tech, with proven success in leading large-scale pursuits.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 150000 £ per year.
Rakuten Symphony is reimagining telecom, changing supply chain norms and disrupting outmoded thinking that threatens the industry’s pursuit of rapid innovation and growth. Based on proven modern infrastructure practices, its open interface platforms make it possible to launch and operate advanced mobile services in a fraction of the time and cost of conventional approaches, with no compromise to network quality or security. Rakuten Symphony has operations in Japan, the United States, Singapore, India, South Korea, Europe, and the Middle East Africa region.
To support our ambitions to provide an innovative cloud-native 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.
Role Purpose
The Vice President, Strategic Pursuits is responsible for originating, shaping, and winning Rakuten Symphony's largest and most strategic transformation opportunities with Tier-1 telecommunications operators. This role leads complex, multi-product pursuits spanning Open RAN, OSS Transformation, AI-Driven Operations, Autonomous Networks, Cloud-Native Infrastructure, and Network Modernization. The VP acts as the executive orchestrator across Sales, Product, Engineering, Pre-Sales, Delivery, Partners, and Customer Leadership to secure transformational programs and long-term strategic partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Opportunity Creation: Identify and develop high-value transformation opportunities within target operators. Influence customer strategy and technology roadmaps before formal procurement processes begin. Build executive-level business cases around network modernization, automation, cloud transformation, and operational efficiency. Create multi-year growth plans for strategic accounts.
- Pursuit Leadership: Lead end-to-end pursuit strategy for opportunities typically exceeding $25M TCV. Define winning themes, competitive positioning, and commercial strategies. Establish and manage pursuit governance, risk reviews, and executive checkpoints. Coordinate cross-functional pursuit teams across sales, product, engineering, finance, legal, and delivery.
- Executive Engagement: Develop trusted relationships with CTO, CIO, CDO, CNO, and Operations leadership. Facilitate executive workshops and transformation discussions. Position Rakuten Symphony as a strategic transformation partner rather than a technology vendor.
- Ecosystem & Partner Engagement: Align Hyperscale's, system integrator, and technology partner participation in strategic pursuits. Drive joint value propositions and partner-led opportunities where appropriate.
- Market Intelligence: Maintain deep understanding of operator priorities, competitive dynamics, regulatory developments, and technology trends. Provide market feedback to Product and GTM leadership.
Success Measures
- Strategic pipeline creation.
- Large-deal bookings and TCV won.
- Win rate on strategic pursuits.
- Executive relationships established within target operators.
- Expansion of Rakuten Symphony footprint within assigned accounts.
- Contribution to regional revenue growth.
Experience & Qualifications
- 15+ years of experience in telecommunications, technology, consulting, cloud, OSS/BSS, network infrastructure, or digital transformation.
- Demonstrated success leading pursuits and negotiations exceeding $25M.
- Strong understanding of telecom operator business models and network transformation programs.
- Experience engaging C-level executives and influencing strategic decisions.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams without direct authority.
Preferred Background
- Experience with one or more of: Open RAN, OSS/BSS, Telecom, Cloud, AI for Network Operations, Network Automation, Digital Transformation, Consulting.
- Background from telecom operators, telecom vendors, consulting firms, cloud providers, or technology companies serving communications service providers is highly desirable.
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.
Vice President, Strategic Accounts in London employer: Rakuten Symphony
Rakuten Symphony is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, empowering employees to drive transformative change in the telecommunications industry. With a commitment to professional growth, employees benefit from extensive development opportunities and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects across a global landscape. Join us in a dynamic environment where your contributions directly impact the future of mobile services, all while being part of a company that values speed, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Vice President, Strategic Accounts in London
✨Get Chummy with Industry Events
Dive into telecommunications networking conferences and expos. These are golden opportunities to meet potential employers like Rakuten Symphony and learn about open positions directly from their teams. Keep an eye out for workshops or panels – they’re perfect for showcasing your passion and expertise!
✨Join Networking Communities
Find online forums or local meetups that focus on telecommunications and networking. Sites like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit communities can be great for connecting with professionals in the field. Just remember to participate in discussions – you never know when someone might mention job openings at places like Rakuten Symphony.
✨Showcase Your Skills with Personal Projects
If you’ve got any personal projects or contributions to open-source networking tools, flaunt them! Create a portfolio that showcases your skills relevant to what telecommunication companies are looking for. It’s a great conversation starter during interviews and networking chats.
✨Utilise Online Job Boards Wisely
While we’re all about encouraging you to apply through our website, also keep an eye on job boards specific to tech and telecommunication roles. Websites such as Telecommunication Jobs and TechCareers often list full-time roles that may not appear elsewhere. Just be sure to tailor every application to grab attention – even small tweaks can make a big difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Vice President, Strategic Accounts in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Know-How:When you're applying for a role in telecommunications and networking, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Mention specific technologies you're proficient in, like IP networking, VoIP, or security protocols. Be sure your CV includes any relevant certifications such as CCNA or CompTIA Network+; they really show you've got the chops for the job.
Tailor Your Experience to Match Networking Projects:In your CV and cover letter, don’t just list your past jobs—showcase specific projects that align with the role! If you've worked on network design, implementation, or troubleshooting, weave those experiences in and highlight metrics to demonstrate your impact. This paints a vivid picture of how you'd fit into the role at Rakuten Symphony.
Show Enthusiasm for the Industry:With telecommunications evolving rapidly, it’s important to express your passion for the field in your application. Mention any trends or innovations you've been following that excite you and how they'd influence your work. This can really set you apart and show that you're not just after a job, but a career!
Keep It Clean and Professional:While it’s important to be personable, ensure your application maintains a clean and structured format. Use clear headings and bullet points to make it easy for hiring managers to dig into your skills and experience. Remember, you’re applying for a full-time role, so a well-organised application will signal your seriousness about the position at Rakuten Symphony.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rakuten Symphony
✨Brush Up on Networking Protocols
Make sure you’re up to speed with the key networking protocols like TCP/IP, UDP, and perhaps even MPLS if it's relevant. We can expect technical questions about how these protocols function and the problems they solve, so a solid understanding will help you shine.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Got a portfolio? Bring it along! Highlight any relevant projects where you've designed or managed network systems. This is your chance to demonstrate practical experience; employers love to see how your skills can be applied in real-world scenarios.
✨Get Comfortable with Technical Scenarios
You might be faced with a case study or a technical troubleshooting scenario during the interview. Practise responding to common networking issues—like packet loss or latency problems. Thinking through these scenarios will help us sound confident and competent in our responses.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration Skills
In the telecommunications field, teamwork is key! Make sure to share examples of how you’ve worked collaboratively, whether in past jobs or projects at uni. Employers want to see that you’re not just technically savvy, but also great at working within a team setting.
