Manager, HR Data Management

Role Description

We're looking for a strategic, hands-on leader to own HR data management at Rakuten. This role sits at the intersection of data governance, team leadership, and HR technology — and is accountable for the integrity of all Workday employee data across our Rakuten International employee population.

You'll lead a team of HR data professionals, drive a best-in-class governance framework, and serve as the senior decision-maker on complex, high-judgment data questions that go beyond standard operating procedures.

You'll operate primarily at the strategic level, while staying close enough to the work to execute when the team needs it.

Key Responsibilities

• Data Governance & Workday Oversight:
  • Manage to the data governance framework for all Workday employee data — including standards, audit cadence, escalation protocols, and exception handling.
  • Set accuracy targets, review audit results, and drive root-cause resolution.
  • Be the initial decision-maker on conflicting data sources, data model changes, and integration design questions — partnering with HRIS and HR Services leadership.
• Team Leadership & Development:
  • Lead, develop, and retain a team of HR data management professionals responsible for day-to-day execution, SLA adherence, and quality assurance.
  • Partner with direct reports as they build individual development plans.
  • Coach through ambiguity, identify high-performers ready for growth, and advocate for resources as the team's scope evolves.
• Cyclical Programs & Complex Data Work:
  • Own the HR data workstream for recurring high-stakes programs — annual performance cycles, compensation planning, and year-end reporting.
  • Navigate ambiguous, complex data situations that require senior judgment: multi-entity reconciliation, M&A or subsidiary integration work, org restructures, and cross-functional data disputes.
  • Be the escalation point for non-standard requests and build repeatable frameworks to reduce manual effort over time.
• Automation, AI & Future-State Operations:
  • Champion automation and AI adoption within HR Data Management.
  • Identify opportunities for Workday process automation, EIB improvements, AI-assisted anomaly detection, and intelligent audit tooling.
  • Build the team's capability alongside these technologies and represent the team's automation roadmap in cross-functional and leadership forums.
• Cross-Functional Partnership:
  • Serve as a strategic partner to HR, Payroll, Global Total Rewards, Finance, Legal, IT, and HRIS.
  • Represent HR Data Management in leadership meetings, working groups, and executive briefings.
  • Own the relationship with internal audit with a target of zero critical findings per cycle.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive experience in HR data management, HRIS, or workforce analytics — with at least 2 years leading a team or formally managing direct reports.
• Solid Workday HCM knowledge: sufficient technical depth to set governance standards, evaluate data quality, and partner credibly with HRIS.
• Demonstrated experience leading cyclical HR programs with significant data components — such as open enrollment, annual compensation cycles, workforce planning, or performance review data management.
• Proven ability to navigate complex, nuanced data situations requiring senior judgment: org restructures, multi-entity data reconciliation, audit responses, or cross-functional data disputes.
• Excellent executive communication skills — able to present workforce data clearly and persuasively to HR leaders and business executives who are not data practitioners.
• Experience in an HR shared services or HR Operations environment with accountability for SLA-driven delivery and data quality outcomes.
• Familiarity with Workday's AI/ML capabilities or other HR technology AI tools, and experience leading or contributing to an automation or AI adoption initiative within an HR Operations or HRIS environment.
• Demonstrated people leadership skills, including team development, performance coaching, and building a culture of accountability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing Workday data across multiple legal entities, subsidiaries, or acquired organizations.
• Familiarity with international HR data, compliance reporting requirements, or multi-country workforce management.
• Exposure to HR process automation, digital transformation, or continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean/Six Sigma).
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Information Systems, or a related field — or equivalent experience.

Benefits

• Discretionary bonus
• Health, vision, dental insurance
• 401k matching
• PTO
• Volunteer Time Off (VTO)
• Other employee benefits as the company implements

Five Principles for Success

• Always improve, Always Advance - Only be satisfied with complete success - Kaizen
• 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 succeed in unknown territory
• Maximize Customer Satisfaction - The greatest satisfaction for our teams is seeing their customers smile
• Speed!! Speed!! Speed!! - Always be conscious of time - take charge, set clear goals, and engage your team