Dentsu Inc Looking for Head of Data & Analytics – MENA Full Time

Company Description

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.

The last 4 years have been a whirlwind of pitch wins, new hires and expansion for Merkle MENA. We have offices in 4 locations across Dubai, Cairo, Beirut & Riyadh. It’s an exciting time to be joining the company; we have no plans to slow down! We take great pride in our company values and culture; we regularly host socials and strive to create a working environment where our employees enjoy their work. Merkle is part of Dentsu Group.

Job Description

Role Summary

The Head of Data & Analytics Strategy is within Merkle’s growing Analytics service line with over 4000 people globally.  EMEA employs over 1000 analysts, working across 14 markets, generating an estimated £40m in revenues. This is a critical role that sits at the intersection of new solutions development, go-to-market approach, and strategic initiatives for Merkle’s Analytics service line.   

We are looking for a self-starter and a thought leader that helps craft innovative analytical solutions that can solve our client’s business problems. Is a leader in business development activities such as responding to RFPs, participating in new business pitches, and developing account growth strategies with our sales and account management teams.  This role also has high engagement with large clients as an SME and is a trusted advisor to C-level partners. This individual works closely with the Growth Team to ensure solid solutions and innovation and ensure Merkle is a leader in analytics and a go-to new business partner across the region.

Role expectations include but are not limited to:

• Analytics product development and innovation.
• Driving Dentsu’s agenda for Data, Technology, and Analytics across MENA.
• Quality delivery management across the region; overseeing a team of Technical Analysts and Managers.
• Competitive cost of sale analysis and management of rate card and near/offshore delivery requirements across the region.
• Building and developing new or existing senior stakeholder relationships.
• Providing expertise and strategic leadership for the wider Dentsu network and its growth aims.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive product innovation based on Merkle 5.0 strategy, fast currents, and future client needs trending in the marketplace.
• Partner with cluster and market analytics leaders within CXM and across SLs to codify current solutions for use across the region; innovate new capabilities and partnerships that keep us on trend and ahead of the competition.
• Deliver consistency of analytics and cloud/data engineering offerings across all analytics teams regionally; ensure the ability for local market activation where not present.
• Lead end-to-end prioritization and management of integrated solutions development, working closely with relevant team members.
• Maintain project plans for solution creation roadmaps to ensure the delivery of new capabilities promptly.
• Engage on new business pitches and represent Merkle analytic capabilities and expertise.
• Responsible for go-to-market strategy and content to be utilized for prospecting and new business pitches.
• Partner and build analytics solutions alongside the EMEA Alliance organization (Google, Amazon, etc.) to develop proprietary Merkle Analytics + Alliance solutions and go-to-market approach with each partner.
• Own development of a case study library based on existing client stories to represent our best work to clients and prospects.
• Work with local and regional pitch teams to ensure best-in-class solutions and delivery to ensure value and competitive pricing to win deals. Partner with other Merkle practice areas and service lines (Commerce, Creative, Technology, Media) to identify opportunities for analytics to be a component of their solutions and go-to-market
• Engage with large clients as an SME, providing expertise, and thought leadership to be seen as an innovative partner and solidify and grow our relationship.
• Works and is aligned with EMEA SSCM/Chief Client Officer to ensure advanced analytics is a core component of Dentsu solutions.

Key Performance Indicators for this role include:

• Increase in regional analytics revenues >20% in first 12 months
• Consistent analytics offering across all markets to include minimum income % threshold in all markets of >15%
• Realize COE strategy for the region across key analytics pillars
• Meaningful inclusion (revenue) realized in 50% of integrated pitches (CXM and Dentsu)

Reporting Structure

This role will directly report to the MD of Merkle MENA and act as a member of the Merkle MENA leadership team. You’ll also have a matrix line into the Merkle EMEA Head of Analytics to align across the region. 

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in relevant roles, including typically a minimum of 7-10 years; operating at a strategic management/expert level
• Highly developed knowledge of the principles, theory, and practice relating to Analytics, including a strong understanding of the broader Analytics offerings (Cloud and Data Engineering, Customer Analytics, Client Delivery; Propositions; Digital and Experience) As well as an awareness of broader developments relevant to the organization.
• Proven skills in matrix team management, optimizing the performance of the team through leadership and mentoring, managing any challenges, and ensuring alignment between team members’ skills and needs from the business.
• Demonstrated skills in leading a large multi-disciplined team (ideally across multiple locations), providing mentorship, recruiting, and retaining key talent with proven successful results.
• Ability to replicate capabilities and offerings that exist within other regions at Merkle as well as develop, enhance, and expand new analytics capabilities.
• Driven to continue to raise individual and company profiles by leading white paper releases and supporting the team in engaging with internal and external marketing initiatives.
• Significant experience with stakeholders, navigating difficult conversations to mutual benefit, knowing when to challenge and when to go the extra mile to deliver, and prioritizing efforts.
• Experience with client delivery, sales, and strategy, knowing how to upsell and cross-sell analytics capabilities and identify broader Merkle opportunities
• Experience with utilizing near-shore and off-shore delivery capabilities
• Strong presentation design and storytelling skills
• Travel is expected as required for key projects.
• Depending on location, travel will be required to engage broader teams

Please Note: This role can be based in any of our MENA locations. 

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.