Merkle is a leading data-driven, technology-enabled, global performance marketing agency that specializes in the delivery of unique, personalized customer experiences across platforms and devices. For more than 30 years, Fortune 1000 companies and leading nonprofit organizations have partnered with Merkle to maximize the value of their customer portfolios. The agency's heritage in data, technology, and analytics forms the foundation for its unmatched skills in understanding consumer insights that drive people-based marketing strategies. Its combined strengths in performance media, customer experience, customer relationship management, loyalty, and enterprise marketing technology drive improved marketing results and competitive advantage. With 9,600+ employees, Merkle is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, with 50+ additional offices throughout the US, EMEA, and APAC. In 2016, the agency joined dentsu. For more information, contact Merkle at 1-877-9-Merkle or visit www.merkleinc.com.    

We are champions for meaningful progress, and we strive to be a force for good—for our people, for our clients, for the industry and for our society. We keep our people at the center, creating space for growth, understanding, and learning so they can thrive. We embed diversity, in our mindset, in our solutions and in our teams to empower an inclusive, equitable and culturally fluent environment. Building this culture within our teams makes us better collaborators with each other and with our clients, driving better outcomes for all. Merkle is an agency of dentsu.  

Merkle is seeking a uniquely talented senior executive to serve as the leader of its Alliance partner team.  The Foundational Alliance Partner Lead is a critical leader at Merkle, owning the overall strategy tied to key growth technology partners.  Our foundational partners are technology partners in CRM, loyalty, creative, commerce, experience and content, analytics, marketing technology and cloud.   These are growth companies like Mirakl, Shopify and Braze. 

With a deep understanding of these partner organizations, business strategy and culture, you will engage with your partners at senior levels to develop a shared strategic vision and the executive sponsorship and support required to act on it.  As a respected thought leader, you will propose innovative new business ideas and secure the partner alignment and engagement needed to put them into practice.   

The Foundational Partner Lead will be accountable for driving alliance growth and establishing Merkle and dentsu as a leader in pursuing transformational deals.  

Key Responsibilities 

• Responsible for developing the overall strategy tied to each of the Foundational partnerships, including bringing joint initiatives to market and ensuring successful programs – with responsibility from ideation to post-launch and maturity 

• Develop and own the business plan for Foundational Partners for Merkle, CXM (Customer Experience Management) Line of Business and dentsu. 

• Manage the Partner Alliance to higher levels of maturity across Partner framework: Sales, Marketing, Enablement, Joint Initiatives, Delivery. 

• Drive long-term value for the Alliance channel through a combination of innovation and execution.     

• Liaise with cross-functional team to bring offerings to market: work with sales to build and manage pipeline for partner offerings; work with product or other operating groups to bring offerings to launch; work with marketing to build and execute on marketing plan; work with executives on Merkle and partner teams to manage communications and updates. 

• Create a global community across all dentsu for partner experts, aligning to a common vision and expanding the knowledge set across the organization. 

• Keep up with the latest features/functionality of the partner technology stacks. 

• Working collaboratively to develop solutions with our architecture/delivery groups. 

• Support Solutions group in business pitches for alliance partner. 

• Engage directly on new suite POCs/ first launches (help team on the ground get this launched). 

• Work with alliance partner on appropriate training programs and manage certifications across the organization. 

• Understand and navigate unique partner scenarios to reduce conflict, generate revenue and create a long-lasting partnership 

• Identify services opportunities and facilitate an introduction for the partner and Merkle teams to pursue together 

• Work with sales and client services teams to track partner opportunities for effective reporting across the organization 

• Hold the foundational partner accountable for pipeline, revenue, mutual marketing collateral and events 

• Support client service and delivery teams as the Foundational Partner manager to assist in any client or prospect escalations 

• Communicate and demonstrate the value of a growth partnership within the Merkle organization 

• 10+ years of industry related leadership and alliance partnership experience. 

• Deep knowledge and experience with the marketing technology ecosystem. 

• Strong market knowledge and the ability to create successful growth strategies as well as own and execute on a longer-term strategic plan.   

• Demonstrated results leading global alliance practice, setting strategic vision and leading cross-functional teams to achieve it. 

• Strong growth mindset and proven achievement of aggressive growth targets. 

• The ability to craft and execute strategic and tactical plans to close large revenue projects. 

• Demonstrated exceptional ability to communicate effectively and form lasting relationships across functions and teams, partners and clients, from C-suite level to line manager to architect. 

• Ability to lead through influence over authority. 

• Ability to establish key relationships and position oneself as a thought leader. 

• Strong collaboration capabilities are critical to this role. 

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree 

• 20-30% travel required 

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $235,000-$275,000. Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, knowledge, skills, other job related qualifications, and geography. Additionally, this position is eligible for discretionary incentive compensation. The company’s incentive compensation plan is subject to change. A range of medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and/or other benefits also are available. For more information regarding dentsu benefits, please visit www.dentsubenefitsplus.com.

About dentsu 
Dentsu is the network designed for what’s next, helping clients predict and plan for disruptive future opportunities in the sustainable economy. Taking a people-centered approach to business transformation, dentsu combines Japanese innovation with a diverse, global perspective to drive client growth and to shape society www.dentsu.com. 

We are champions for meaningful progress and we strive to be a force for good—for our people, for our clients, for the industry and for our society. We keep our people at the center, creating space for growth, understanding and learning so they can thrive. We embed diversity, in our mindset, in our solutions and in our teams to empower an inclusive, equitable and culturally fluent environment. Building this culture within our teams makes us better collaborators with each other and with our clients, driving better outcomes for all.

Dentsu (the "Company") is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee of the Company, on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other legally-recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done that will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing an undue hardship on the Company. Please contact your recruiter if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process or to request or discuss an accommodation in connection with a job at the Company to which you are applying. 

About dentsu 
Dentsu is the network designed for what’s next, helping clients predict and plan for disruptive future opportunities in the sustainable economy. Taking a people-centered approach to business transformation, dentsu combines Japanese innovation with a diverse, global perspective to drive client growth and to shape society www.dentsu.com. 

We are champions for meaningful progress and we strive to be a force for good—for our people, for our clients, for the industry and for our society. We keep our people at the center, creating space for growth, understanding and learning so they can thrive. We embed diversity, in our mindset, in our solutions and in our teams to empower an inclusive, equitable and culturally fluent environment. Building this culture within our teams makes us better collaborators with each other and with our clients, driving better outcomes for all.

Dentsu (the "Company") is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee of the Company, on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other legally-recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done that will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing an undue hardship on the Company. Please contact your recruiter if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process or to request or discuss an accommodation in connection with a job at the Company to which you are applying.