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 50+ offices across the US, EMEA, and APAC, Merkle has 9,600+ employees worldwide. In 2016, the agency joined dentsu. For more information, visit www.merkleinc.com. 

Job Description: 

The Director, Loyalty and Promotions Strategy will lead in designing next generation, interactive loyalty that enable our clients to build strong, enduring relationships with their most valued consumers. By combining marketing expertise, business analysis, and problem solving you will set the strategic direction and program definition for clients that include leading global brands – such as Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and L’Oréal. You will work collaboratively across a team of strategy colleagues and cross-functional team members in delivering comprehensive consulting engagements across dynamic portfolio of clients.  

You will be joining an innovative and growing team that uniquely combines the strategic acumen of a consulting firm with the creative flair of a marketing agency. We are passionate about delivering great work that is actionable and valuable to clients and this role will play significant role in driving our continued growth and leadership in the market.  

Responsibilities: 

• Lead consulting engagement delivery in partnership with a cross-functional team across phases that include discovery, strategy, program design, user experience, business case, and road-mapping 

• Utilize your expertise and experience across disciplines of loyalty marketing, retention marketing, customer engagement, customer experience, customer strategy, and CRM to deliver significant client value 

• Focus on defining strategies that create moments of engagement across the customer lifecycle that drive sustainable, emotional connections between the consumer and brand 

• Utilize data and analytics to inform program opportunity, define the business case, and outline success measures 

• Create strong internal partnership with cross-functional team members – building collaboration that spans the disciplines of creative, technology, data insights, and account management 

• Develop strong client relationships and establish influence with key client decisions makers 

• Build and maintain subject expertise across the loyalty domain - including trends, best practices, and thought leadership 

Qualifications: 

• 7 - 9+ years of experience in a strategic role at a management consulting firm, strategic marketing agency, or in marketing strategy / customer strategy leadership for a Fortune 500 company  

• Demonstrated experience and expertise in a combination of the following disciplines: loyalty marketing, retention strategy, customer experience management, customer engagement, customer strategy, and CRM  

• Strategic thinker able to derive and synthesize insights to provide comprehensive analysis and actionable recommendations for impactful client-facing deliverables 

• Accomplished in combining creativity and critical analysis to storyline recommendations to marketing leaders - leveraging well-developed PowerPoint skills to create compelling presentations with a strong narrative and effective communication skills to engage senior clients 

• Demonstrated analytical approach – with strong quantitative skill set to derive data-driven recommendations, inform the financial business case, and evaluate program performance 

• Highly collaborative, with strong leadership ability -- combining the toolset and presence to lead both engagement team and clients alike 

• Proven growth mindset – eager and fast to learn, adept in taking on new challenges, and committed to enabling continuous improvement 

• Diligent, disciplined, and accountable - comfortable in performing at a high-level in a dynamic, sometimes ambiguous, deadline-driven environment 

The annual salary range for this position is $113,000-$158,000. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law.

Benefits available with this position include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance,

• Life insurance,

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance,

• 401k,

• Flexible paid time off,

• At least 15 paid holidays per year,

• Paid sick and safe leave, and

• Paid parental leave.

Dentsu also complies with applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies. For further details regarding Dentsu benefits, please visit www.dentsubenefitsplus.com.

To begin the application process, please click on the “Apply” button at the top of this job posting. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and qualified candidates will be contacted for next steps.

At dentsu, we believe great work happens when we’re connected. Our way of working combines flexibility with in-person collaboration to spark ideas and strengthen our teams. Employees who live within a commutable distance of one of our hub offices, currently located in Chicago, metro Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York City, are required and expected to work from the office three days per week (two days per week for employees based in Los Angeles). Dentsu may designate other Hub offices at any time. Those who live outside a commutable range may be designated as remote, depending on the role and business needs. Regardless of your work location, we expect our employees to be flexible to meet the needs of our Company and clients, which may include attendance in an office.

#LI-LE1 #LI-MERKLE

Dentsu is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. We do this without regard to race, color, national origin, sex , sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religious practices and observances, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Dentsu is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with us, please send an e-mail to [email protected] by clicking on the link to let us  know the nature of your accommodation request and your contact information. We are here to support you.