Director of Corporate Strategy & Operations at Dentsu · London

Director of Corporate Strategy & Operations Location: London 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 Translate executive strategy into operational plans with clear accountability and timelines Project and portfolio manage a series of on-going special projects and initiatives requiring senior-level alignment and decision-making, including sensitive projects that require immediate attention Assist the Global CEO Chief of Staff with preparing executive briefings, including board-level materials and large forum global meetings Solutions & Go-to-Market Enablement Provide a voice and representative for Merkle’s global Go-to-Market (GTM) in Western Europe, including engaging with VP and SVP+ level leaders to drive buy-in, provide support, and expertise Support management of internal libraries of knowledge and asset repositories supporting 10,000+ global employees, including partner with Global CEO Chief of Staff on user experience and EMEA market needs Support case study development workflow, facilitating coordination across the marketing organization and global teams—addressing blockers to support timely delivery of client success narratives Ensure consistency in GTM and solution articulation and delivery across markets Marketing Engagement & Support Analyst Relations Support development of 5-8 global analyst responses annually (Gartner, Forrester, IDC, etc.) and Merkle’s engagement with global analysts Collaborate with marketing teams to translate insights into thought leadership content, and coordinate multi-market insights distribution to highlight important work and best practices Support 2-3 marketing or event activations annually in Western Europe, ensuring strategic alignment and message consistency Required Qualifications & Skills Background 6-8 years of progressive experience in corporate strategy, business operations, management consulting, or related fields 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. #LI-Hybrid #LI-MERKLE Location: London Brand: Merkle Time Type: Full time Contract Type: Permanent