SVP, Industry and Business Transformation

Job Description:

At Merkle, we understand the power of relationships. And every day, we powerfully connect and work together to reimagine the future.  Whether we’re building the next great app, running CRM at scale for global brands, delivering technology architectures that support millions of users, or providing world-class data, identity, and insights solutions, it’s all in the name of crafting experiences that set brands apart from the competition. The only experience transformation consultancy founded on a heritage of customer identity, data, and performance, our 1,000+ award-winning designers, 4,500+ data scientists, 5,000+ engineers, and 4,500+ strategists dream, do, and deliver.

The SVP, Industry and Business Transformation, is a senior industry leader and client-facing executive responsible for shaping how major enterprises transform their businesses in the age of AI and digital acceleration. As a trusted C-suite advisor, you'll guide Fortune 500 clients through complex transformations while managing strategists within Merkle's consulting and operating model practice. This role demands deep industry expertise, executive presence, and operational savvy to manage team performance, resource allocation, and practice growth.

Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer, you'll serve as the public face of Merkle's transformation capabilities and building relationships with senior executives across key accounts. You'll balance high-visibility client advisory work with the internal leadership needed to develop talent, coordinate cross-Merkle delivery, and drive practice performance.

Key Responsibilities

Industry Leadership

• Establish Merkle as a leading voice in business transformation by developing provocative points of view overseeing industry SMEs across Health, Financial Services, Retail, Emerging industries
• Build executive relationships with C-suite leaders across target industries, positioning yourself as a trusted advisor on transformation strategy
• Represent Merkle in external conversations with industry analysts, media, and partner ecosystems to elevate our market position
• Create a system for consistent thought leaders from SMEs across key industries, understanding competitive dynamics, regulatory trends, and strategic imperatives facing leading companies

Client Advisory & Strategic Relationships

• Serve as senior advisor to C-suite executives on business model innovation, operating model transformation, and AI-driven change
• Lead major client engagements that reshape how enterprises operate, compete, and create value in their markets
• Build long-term strategic relationships with key clients, expanding from project work to ongoing trusted advisor relationships
• Partner with Client Relationship Group and Growth Officers to identify transformation opportunities and shape integrated solutions
• Drive business development through relationship building, strategic proposals, and compelling presentations that win major engagements

Team Leadership & Development

• Build and lead a high-performing team of 30+ including Industry Leaders, Technology Strategists, Operating Model experts, creating clear paths for professional growth
• Provide coaching and mentorship to senior consultants, developing their ability to lead complex engagements and build client relationships
• Establish performance expectations and career frameworks that drive both individual development and collective practice excellence
• Create a culture of intellectual curiosity, client focus, and collaborative problem-solving within the transformation practice
• Manage talent decisions including hiring, promotion, compensation, and performance management with clarity and fairness

Cross-Merkle Collaboration & Integration

• Build and maintain relationships with capability owners across Merkle to create integrated client solutions that leverage our full platform
• Lead coordination across practice areas to deliver complex, multi-discipline engagements with seamless client experiences
• Partner with other practice leaders to identify cross-sell opportunities and develop joint go-to-market approaches
• Create operational frameworks that clarify how teams work together, including roles, responsibilities, and engagement economics
• Represent transformation practice in broader Merkle strategy discussions, market planning, and capability development initiatives

Industry and Business Transformation Operations & Performance

• Manage group financial performance including revenue growth, pipeline development, and profitability metrics
• Optimize resource allocation across client engagements to balance utilization, quality, and team satisfaction
• Partner in pipeline reviews, business planning, and performance tracking that drive accountability and results
• Partner to develop practice infrastructure including methodologies, tools, knowledge systems, and training programs that enable scalable delivery

Innovation & Market Insight

• Stay ahead of market trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging client needs to guide practice strategy and service evolution
• Identify opportunities to extend Merkle's transformation capabilities into new industries, service lines, or engagement models
• Build point of view on how AI, automation, and digital technologies are reshaping business operations across industries
• Create frameworks and approaches that codify how we help clients navigate transformation, making our methods replicable and scalable
• Partner with technology providers and research institutions to stay connected to emerging capabilities and their business applications

Additional Information: 

The annual base salary range for this position is $206,000 - $325,000. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law. Additionally, this position is eligible for discretionary incentive compensation. 

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. 

At dentsu, we believe great work happens when we’re connected. Our hybrid way of working combines remote flexibility with regular in-person collaboration to spark ideas and strengthen our teams. Many of our employees who live within commuting distance (90 minutes) from one of our Headquarter or Hub Offices (New York, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles) are required to work in the office 2-3 days per week including one Team Day. The minimum number of days may vary by office and role. Dentsu may designate other HQ or Hub offices at any time. Those who do not live near an office may be designated as a remote employee, depending on the role and business needs. Regardless of your work location, we expect you to be flexible to meet the needs of our Company and clients, which may include attendance in an office from time to time. 

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 more information 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. 

#LI-Merkle #LI-REMOTE

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