Director of Corporate Strategy & Operations

Job Description:

Merkle, dentsu’s global business and technology consultancy, is seeking a Director of Corporate Strategy & Operations based in London. This role is key to enabling and accelerating Merkle’s global strategy, engaging in a broad array of business advancement, go-to-market, corporate analysis and strategic planning, and data analysis and research activities.

Reporting to Merkle’s US-based Global Chief Strategy Officer as a chief of staff and working closely with Merkle and Dentsu teams throughout Western Europe and in global roles, you will operate at the intersection of traditional corporate strategy (including internal and external functional analysis, project and initiative management, executive communications, and mid-term strategic planning) and global enablement (including supporting knowledge repositories, learning and development initiatives, marketing communications and events).

This role requires a systems thinker who can balance structured problem solving and analytical rigour with strong written and verbal communication and change management skills.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Operations & Planning

• Support strategic planning cycles with data-driven insights and recommendations
• Provide a bridge between global strategy and market-level execution throughout Europe
• Conduct internal functional analysis, including analyzing systems data, meeting with internal teams, and synthesizing results
• Conduct external analysis, including competitor tracking and market trends analysis
• Perform assessments and inform executive decision-making on a wide array of topics, including special projects and short-burst initiatives
  
  
  

Chief Of Staff Functions

• Provide support to the Global Chief Strategy Officer, managing priorities, stakeholder communications, and key initiatives

Proven experience in business analysis, business planning, and project management within matrixed, global organizations

Demonstrated expertise performing structured and unstructured analyses and presenting and communicating to executive audiences

Demonstrated expertise in visual communication, presentation tools, and narrative development, including Powerpoint and data visualization

Direct or indirect knowledge of professional services businesses, including consultancies and marketing agencies, preferred but not required

Direct or indirect knowledge of digital ways of working – including agile, digital product development, design-thinking – preferred but not required

MBA or degree in business administration preferred but not required

Familiarity with Salesforce, SharePoint, PowerBI, or other enterprise platforms preferred but not required

Travel may be required up to 20% in this role, largely in the UK and Western Europe.

Skills & Capabilities

• Strong strategic thinking abilities with capacity to balance high-level vision and detailed execution
• Knowledge of developing and facilitating in-person and virtual workshops
• Analytical skills with experience in business intelligence, market analysis, competitive analysis, and defining and tracking performance metrics
• Ability to synthesize complex information from multiple sources into clear, actionable insights
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously while maintaining quality standards
• Proven effectiveness in fast-paced environments with shifting priorities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to adapt messaging for different audiences
• Experience developing business documents for internal and external audiences
• Strong presentation skills and experience engaging with EVP and C-suite executives
  
  
  

What We Offer

• This is a permanent role.
• This is a hybrid working role with the expectation that you will be in 2 times a week
• As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a benefits package that you can tailor to your needs.
  
  
  

Inclusion and Diversity

At Dentsu, we embrace diversity and inclusion, valuing the unique perspectives and contributions of every individual. We believe that diversity fuels creativity and innovation, benefiting our employees, partners, and communities.

We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. Beyond recruitment, we strive to create an environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

We recognise the importance of work-life balance and are open to discussing flexible working arrangements for all roles. If you need reasonable adjustments due to a disability or medical condition during our recruitment process, please contact us at accommodations@dentsu.com, quoting the reference number of the role that you are applying for. Your needs will be handled with respect and confidentiality to ensure an inclusive and accessible experience.

Location:

London

Brand:

Merkle

Time Type:

Full time

Contract Type:

Permanent