Merkle is a leading data-driven, technology-enabled, global performance marketing agency that specialises in the delivery of unique, personalised customer experiences across platforms and devices. We call it ‘people-based’ marketing, and with over 25 years’ experience, we are proud to be recognised as a global leader.

Merkle’s heritage in data, technology and analytics is the foundation for our understanding of consumer insights that drives our people-based marketing strategies. Combined with our expertise in performance creative and media, we can then offer our clients content-driven, contextual and compelling customer experiences that drive business growth.

We are also part of dentsu – a global agency network with more than 46,000 dedicated employees in 145 markets. 

Merkle Northern Europe is creating a new role as Market Leader, Netherlands. As the commercial leader of the Merkle Netherlands part of the Northern European business, the Market Leader is overall responsible for managing the Dutch market revenue and clients.

The Market Leader reports to the NE CCO and is part of the NE Executive Leadership group. As the leader for the client services team, the Market Leader has a focus on revenue growth, client profitability and client satisfaction. 

Furthermore, the Market Leader is the local leader, face and brand of the company in front of clients and commercial staff. The role is critical to adopting and adapting Northern European strategies locally and growing the business profitably. The role will have a crucial function and responsibility in terms of our NE integration project in 2022.

Areas of responsibility and accountability will include client growth and profitability, new business sales, business development, client onboarding as well as monitoring of performance and utilisation of personnel.

Furthermore, as the local face of the NE business, the market leader must be experienced in agency management, represent the values of our business as well as have a strong subject-matter expertise within digital marketing, digital product development, digital transformation and CX.

To be successful in this role, a commercial mindset, growth mentality, client service as well as leadership skills are key.

Daily tasks as Market Leader

• Responsible for managing the revenue and clients of Merkle Netherlands
• Manages local client service teams, driving towards delivery of revenue targets
• Mentors and develops local commercial leaders to grow in their role and deliver on our ambitions
• Establishes strategic relationships with key clients’ C-level stakeholders as point of reference, client escalation and issue management
• Leads local market staff communications and ensures group or cluster messaging is adopted where relevant 
• Working with other local dentsu service lines (creative, media) on leveraging cross- and upsell opportunities
• Accurate forecasting and reporting of revenue
• Client onboarding, ensuring the right commercial terms as well as team and roadmap is in place, with support of the business team owners and the growth team
• Works with operations team, continuously monitoring performance and optimising utilisation of personnel
• Leads business development activities to grow the business, across existing logos as well as new client sales and RFPs, supported by the Growth team
• Drives new leads and opportunities through networking and own connections
• Drives commercial best practice and governance across client services teams, creating longer-term committed partnerships with key clients

Role Focus Areas

Key responsibilities

• Is accountable for revenue growth, client profitability and satisfaction of both employees and clients

• Works closely with the NE CCO to develop plans to deliver on targets

• Sits on CXM NE ELT and drives and contributes towards the cluster integration agenda

• Works closely with dentsu market CEO and Commercial officer to build the growth plans for the market as well as supporting the account planning process with the client services teams

• Leads business development activities to grow the business

• Fosters a culture of growth, driving opportunity generation, as well as fronting sales and pre-sales meetings

• As a member of the local leadership expected to be a driver and representative of business wide culture and values

• Drives commercial best practice and governance across client services teams, creating profitable long-term committed partnerships with key clients

• Should identify both threats and opportunities to the company and propose appropriate action

• Pushes teams to deliver world-class CX for our clients at scale

• Together with the marketing and growth team, helps promote marketing and branding activities

Strategic focus

• Quality & impact of the experiences we create                        10%
• Happiness and engagement of our people                               20%
• Revenue and client growth                                                       50%
• Operational efficiencies                                                            10%
• Most recognised brand within CX                                            10%

Personal focus

• Actively promoting, pursuing, and living the companies vision

• Highly experienced in building relationships with C-Level stakeholders

• Digital native and subject matter expert who can create as opposed to receive a brief 

• Proactive for clients with ideas, thoughts and solutions related to the account and their industry

• A team player and leader

• A digital native with strong subject-matter expertise within digital marketing, enterprise technology and martech, digital product development and digital transformation and CX

What succes looks like

The role will be measured on:

• Revenue targets
• Client satisfaction
• Employee satisfaction
• Gross Margin targets

What we are looking for in you:

• Native in Dutch language
• Connected and experienced within the Dutch market
• 12+ years experience of industry experience, preferably client service
• 5+ years agency management experience
• Proven track record of delivering on sales and growth targets
• Preferably experience managing agency P&L
• Strong commercial mindset, experience managing large portfolio of clients
• Excellent team leadership skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strong strategic thinking and understanding of business models and agency processes
• Driven, takes ownership and responsibility for work, is proactive not reactive

There is no application deadline. Finding the right candidate is more important to us than a speedy process. We practice ongoing selection and therefore ask you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Please note: This job can be held anywhere in Northern Europe.