Merkle is a leading data-driven customer experience management (CXM) company that specializes in the delivery of unique, personalized customer experiences across platforms and devices for the Fortune 1000. The company’s heritage in data, technology, and analytics forms the foundation for its unmatched skills in understanding consumer insights that drive hyper-personalized marketing strategies. Merkle is part of dentsu a global agency network with more than 55,000 employees in 145 markets. 

Role Summary 

This role leads talent acquisition (TA) for one of dentsu’s power brands, Merkle across the EMEA region. Merkle EMEA is a thriving business of 5,500 employees across 18 countries and as a TA team of 30+ Talent Acquisition Partners we collectively hire over 1,000 revenue generating technologists a year across 5 core markets. You’ll be responsible for driving a successful TA strategy across the region, partnering closely with senior leadership and TA teams to ensure we continue to hire top talent into the business. Partnering with Merkle (the CXM Service Line) offers the excitement and fun of an innovative, high growth organisation combined with the stability and support of the global brand of dentsu. To be successful you’ll need to navigate seamlessly between the two cultures. 

The role itself is a perfect blend of strategic talent acquisition, executive search, programme management and leadership across a multi-market, successful close-knit recruiting team. We are looking for a passionate TA leader who thrives in a fast-paced innovative environment and is excited about making an impact. You’ll have exceptional relationship building skills at senior executive level and will bring strong experience of leading and executing a multi-market recruiting strategy. 

This role will report to the EMEA Head of Talent Acquisition and offers flexible working  based remotely, hybrid or in a dentsu office. This is a materntiy cover position for an initial 6 months.

Key Accountabilities  

• Act as a strategic talent advisor to the Merkle executive and senior leadership teams and a career advocate to an experienced team of talent partners and recruiters 

• Work in tandem with the CXM EMEA HRD to drive key initiatives across the region such as women in tech, succession planning and complex executive offers 

• Be the regional recruitment process expert ensuring Merkle continues to acquire world-class talent in an efficient, effective market leading way, leading process improvements and ensuring that our ATS platform (SmartRecruiters) remains effective  

• Ensure the remaining 2023 regional TA strategy is delivered which includes; programme management of teams driving projects across; talent attraction and engagement, DE&I, business partnering and systems & process  

• Manage key partnerships with alliances and suppliers (Salesforce, GoSwag, Datapeople, SmartRecruiters and LinkedIn) 

• Continue to grow a close working relationship with dentsu EMEA Head of Talent Acquisition, Market Cluster TA Leads and Service Line leaders to ensure we are connected and collaborative from a Market/Region/Service Line perspective, with consideration for dual reporting lines 

• Lead end to end hiring for our most senior positions, driving a best-in-class direct model, including comprehensive behavioural and panel interviews with business and negotiation complex compensation packages 

• Ensure our TA data across the region remains clean for regular reporting and analytics. Management of powerbi and report building 

• Support key strategic cross service line projects across dentsu (LinkedIn, DE&I data, resource management) 

• Keep the EMEA TA team connected, engaged and informed with regular communication including hosting monthly all hands  

• Chair a weekly supply and demand call to manage Recruiter capacity and needs across the region 

• Solutioning talent recommendations against business priorities; including location strategy, M&A, centres of excellence, capability building, market research 

• Continue to support the expansion of the dentsu Refugee Alliance programme by chairing bi-weekly Career Clinics for participants 

Primary Stakeholders 

• EMEA HRD, Merkle/CXM 

• Head of Talent Acquisition, dentsu EMEA 

• Merkle/CXM EMEA President and Market CEOs 

• Business Unit / Practice Leaders  

• EMEA CXM specialist Leaders (Operations, Alliances, Practice Leaders) 

• Talent Acquisition Market Cluster Leads 

Key Skills and Experience  

• Expert in delivering a talent acquisition strategy in a matrixed organisation, ideally with knowledge of data, tech, consultancy or similar industry 

• Experience leading and collaborating across a truly international team  

• Innovative mindset and a can-do approach to developing consistency and scalability within the region  

• Deep experience in all aspects of talent acquisition including, but not limited to EVP, DE&I, strategic planning, TA resource management candidate/hiring manager experience, executive search  

• Ability to continually develop and lead teams to drive team engagement in a fast-paced high growth environment 

• Experience managing multi market programmes of work and prioritize a complex and diverse workload with multiple priorities  

• Effective communication, influencing, and persuasiveness skills 

• Possess gravitas, confidence and presence to be able to deal effectively with C-level executives, external partners and teams at all levels within the organization 

• Self-confidence and decisive leadership with excellent listening skills, emotional maturity and ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment 

• Attention to detail and consistent follow up is key  

Dentsu is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on sex, gender identity, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disabilities or any other protected basis because we believe the best and brightest come from all walks of life. We aspire to foster a community in which diversity is valued in both our employees and our ideas.

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