Salman
Joined Rakuten in October 2024, mid-career
Department: Global Ad Division
Global Ad Technology Supervisory Department(GATD)
Position: Project Manager
Birthplace: Karachi, Pakistan
Hobbies: Cricket, video blogging, traveling, volunteering
After building his career as a project manager and systems engineer in Pakistan's largest city Karachi, as well as in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and the United Arab Emirates, Salman joined Rakuten Group's Global Ad Technology Supervisory Department (GATD) in October 2024 as a Project Manager.
We spoke with him about his journey to Japan and Rakuten, his current work as a project manager, his team environment, and his outlook for the future.
もくじ
✔Gaining Experience Across Multiple Countries Before Joining Rakuten in Japan
✔Leading Key Projects That Directly Drive Growth of Rakuten Group
✔Building a Wide Range of Skills Through Cross-Functional Projects
Gaining Experience Across Multiple Countries Before Joining Rakuten in Japan
――Please introduce yourself.
Hello, I'm Salman, a Project Manager in the Global Ad Technology Supervisory Department (GATD).
I was born and raised in Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan and its economic center. Karachi has a long history of cultural and ethnic diversity, so it offers a rich mix of cuisines and traditions. It's a wonderful place to visit. I particularly recommend Clifton Beach, which stretches along the Arabian Sea, and the Jinnah Mausoleum, a historic landmark located in the heart of the city.
Outside of work, I also enjoy various creative hobbies. Lately, my favorite things have been cricket and video blogging.
――Could you tell us about your background and how you came to join Rakuten Group?
I majored in computer systems engineering at university, focusing on networks and data communication, which sparked my strong interest for that field. At university, I gained in-depth technical knowledge that is essential for understanding complex systems and networks.
After graduation, I worked as a project manager and systems engineer in Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Oman. Through these experiences, I learned to adapt quickly to different environments and developed a truly global perspective.
――You've worked in various countries, but is Rakuten your first job in Japan?
What motivated you to join Rakuten Group?
Yes, Rakuten is my first job in Japan. I saw it as a great opportunity to learn from Japan's unique culture and grow personally.
Up until now, I was primarily involved in technical work, like system architecture and network optimization. However, I wanted to take on roles that have a more direct impact on business outcomes. Rakuten Group stood out to me because it's a leading IT company with a strong influence and an innovative culture unafraid of change. At Rakuten, there are many opportunities to lead a cross-functional team and strategically drive projects across departments. That aspect of the work has been particularly rewarding for me.
Leading Key Projects That Directly Drive Growth of Rakuten Group
――What kind of work are you currently responsible for?
As a project manager, my mission is to enhance the overall quality of advertising products for Rakuten Ichiba, contributing both to the growth of Rakuten Group and to improving customer satisfaction.
Specifically, I work on quality improvement programs aimed at optimizing the performance of Rakuten Ichiba's ad systems, ensuring users can access them smoothly and without frustration. I collaborate with members across multiple departments to identify key areas for improvement and make sure projects proceed according to plan.
── Could you describe your typical work process?
As a project manager, I begin by gaining a thorough understanding of the project's objectives and checking that they align with overall business goals. Then, together with everyone involved, I define the scope, the required resources, and schedule, and develop a detailed project plan.
Once the project begins, I lead a cross-functional team made up of members from multiple departments, ensuring that tasks progress on schedule. If issues arise along the way, I respond promptly and appropriately.
Throughout the process, I closely monitor progress and maintain open communication to keep everything running smoothly.
After the project is done, I conduct a comprehensive review, extract lessons learned, ensure smooth closure, and report the outcomes to those involved.
――What are the advantages of working with cross-functional teams?
I work closely with engineers, data analysts, UX/UI designers, product managers, and QA teams. Each member brings a unique perspective and expertise, and it's an honor to collaborate with such talented professionals. Thanks to this cross-departmental collaboration, we've been able to achieve innovative solutions and great results.
Building a Wide Range of Skills Through Cross-Functional Projects
――Having worked in diverse organizations, what do you find appealing about Rakuten Group?
Working as a project manager at Rakuten Group has been incredibly rewarding. Performance improvement projects like the one I coordinate are directly linked to the growth of Rakuten’s advertising products, so they have been very fulfilling to work on.
Every day at Rakuten is new and exciting. The workplace is dynamic, and I'm constantly encouraged to think from new perspectives and use my imagination.
Another great aspect is being surrounded by talented colleagues from various backgrounds. There's a strong culture of collaboration and continuous learning, where people support each other and freely share new ideas.
――What challenges do you face in your work?
Leading cross-functional projects requires constant and effective communication between multiple teams. At times, progress requires finding balance and making adjustments along the way, which can be quite difficult.
Because performance improvement programs are complex, managing them demands careful planning and adaptability to unexpected changes. To avoid project delays or bottlenecks, I focus on setting realistic timelines and managing resources efficiently.
In the past, when a project slowed down due to a lack of communication between teams, I quickly increased the frequency of discussions, shared information more openly, and re-evaluated the priorities.
These things helped the team get back on track and move the project forward smoothly.
――What skills and experiences have you gained through this work?
I feel that I've developed strong communication, negotiation, leadership, and problem-solving skills, all of which have been essential for managing cross-departmental collaboration.
I've also honed my ability to coordinate requests from multiple departments and deliver results within deadlines. Additionally, I've deepened my knowledge of project management methodologies such as Agile and Scrum, and become proficient with tools like Jira, Trello, and Microsoft Project.
――What qualities do you think make someone a good fit for a Project Manager role at Rakuten?
A successful Project Manager must be flexible in the face of change and quick to resolve issues as they arise. It's important to stay calm under pressure, keep sight of the bigger picture, and guide the team even in challenging situations.
Sometimes deadlines are tight, resources are limited, or teams have differences in understanding. But if you can communicate openly, collaborate, and stay solution-oriented, you can overcome any challenge.
It's also essential to have a mindset of continual learning and a willingness to listen to other people's ideas. Those who embrace change and face challenges head-on are the ones who lead their projects to success.
*The information in this article is current as of November 9, 2025.
Come work with us!
The Global Ad Technology Supervisory Department (GATD) of the Global Ad Division is looking for people to work with us from new service development to daily operations and improvements! Recruitment is open for a variety of positions, including engineers and product managers. We look forward to receiving your application!
