VP, Commerce Strategy

dentsu•Chicago, IL

8d•$163,000 - $240,000•Remote

About The Position

As the VP, Commerce Strategy, you will join a team of talented and experienced strategists who focus on helping Merkle clients achieve their business goals through deep understanding of technology-driven change including touchpoints that support engagement, marketing, services, and sales with emphasis on customer experience transformation, and corporate and digital strategy. You will serve as a dedicated strategic advisor to our DX practice and clients that are engaging Merkle for commerce expertise. This role will operate as a key member of the Strategy leadership team, helping ensure that the commerce go-to-market value proposition we present and the programs we execute are based on our deep understanding of our client's business and strategic objectives, as well as the broader commerce landscape. This role may help lead Merkle's account team in one or more named client organizations, requiring the ability to articulate Merkle's "right to win" in the space through evolved and cutting-edge thinking. You must demonstrate the ability to bring foundational credibility to Merkle through thought leadership while building strong relationships with clients and internal client teams.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required. Preferred degrees include Marketing, Computer Science, Communications, or related fields
MBA or advanced degree preferred
10+ years' experience in commerce strategy and/or delivery
Deep expertise in enterprise-level transformations relative to commerce
10+ years working in an agency or consulting firm
Proven experience in a leadership role focused on Commerce expertise
Demonstrated experience in strategy development for clients at the SVP and C-suite level
Extensive experience and strong track record of success working across growth and delivery in an agency or digital consultancy setting
Proven track record of driving revenue growth within existing client relationships, with demonstrable results in account expansion
Experience serving as senior advisor or trusted counsel to C-suite executives during digital transformation initiatives
History of successfully managing complex, multi-year client relationships with revenue responsibility
Experience acting as client proxy or representative in internal strategic planning and resource allocation discussions
Familiarity with commerce technologies, platforms, and tools such as Salesforce, Shopify, Adobe, commercetools, etc. and how clients can leverage and integrate these technologies to enable best in class Commerce experiences. This is not a technical role, so developer-level expertise is not required
Deep knowledge of the competitive landscape to ensure Merkle is positioned the right way and focused on the right capabilities and expertise to win
Excellent leadership and team management skills, with experience in nurturing high-performing teams
Strong writing, presentation, and client-facing communication skills
Experience translating data analysis into actionable marketing recommendations and presentations—proficiency in PowerPoint preferred
Expert ability to pitch confidently and win hearts and minds in high-stakes presentations
Strong listening skills to understand clients' visible and invisible needs
Demonstrable ability to build and maintain client and partner relationships
Proven ability to serve as trusted advisor and strategic counsel to senior executives
Experience facilitating executive-level strategic planning sessions and transformation workshops
Ability to navigate complex client organizational structures and influence decision-making at multiple levels
Self-starter with high intellectual curiosity, drive, determination, and persuasion skills
Superior multi-tasking, networking, time management, and interpersonal skills
Comfort and experience working within a highly matrixed organization in roles with a wide degree of latitude
Deep understanding of the evolving landscape of consumer experience and commerce
20% travel

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Responsibilities

Thought Leadership & External Brand Building Maintain and foster a public-facing brand and position of thought leadership in agentic AI, commerce, UCP, marketplace, and human-centered experience transformation Bring focus and direction to key industry themes and ongoing conversations to provide a distilled point of view to clients and illuminate their path forward Build and leverage relationships with analysts to elevate Merkle’s brand in the Commerce ecosystem
Client Engagement & Strategic Development Engage with key client stakeholders alongside account teams, offering expertise and supporting client service and growth teams Educate clients on capabilities in the larger Commerce space, aligning these with their business objectives to drive growth Develop trusted, long-term relationships with key client contacts and executives at the SVP and C-Suite level Oversee or lead the building, development, and delivery of strategic digital Commerce transformation plans for named client(s) Ensure meaningful client value is delivered through a mix of best-practice solutions, skills, capabilities, and original thinking
Business Development & Revenue Growth Opportunities Drive internal and external growth conversations with clients Identify and pursue business growth opportunities to support expansion of client relationships and revenue generation Create and execute multi-year revenue roadmaps for your key client accounts Collaborate with account teams to identify upsell and cross-sell opportunities across the full spectrum of Merkle’s Commerce capabilities
Senior Advisory & Digital Commerce Transformation Leadership Serve as trusted advisor and strategic counsel to C-suite executives and senior stakeholders on digital commerce transformation initiatives Act as proxy for senior client stakeholders in internal planning sessions and strategic discussions when appropriate Guide clients through the commerce complexities inherent in digital transformation journeys, providing strategic oversight and change management support Develop and maintain deep understanding of client organizational structures, decision-making processes, and transformation priorities Facilitate executive-level workshops and strategic planning sessions focused on commerce maturity and transformation roadmaps Provide strategic counsel on technology adoption, organizational change management, and digital capability development relative to commerce Serve as escalation point for complex client challenges and transformation roadblocks
Strategic Monitoring & Collaboration Continually monitor current marketing trends, new technology solutions, and competitive strategies related to commerce, then translate them into new direction for clients Collaborate and develop relationships with internal Merkle teams (account management, operations, creative, analytics, etc.) and partner agencies to understand feasibility of cross-channel recommendations and plans Collaborate with experts, media, analysts, and industry leaders to advocate dentsu and Merkle's vision in commerce strategy