Production Strategy Director

Merkle Italia; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Dentsu is seeking a commercially-driven Product Director to lead strategy, development and delivery of SPI-funded products within Global Partnerships and Solutions. You will define development models, govern product lifecycles and drive integration across DMA ecosystems, delivering measurable value for clients and partners.

You will lead teams across engineering, data and technology, translating market and client needs into actionable roadmaps, while partnering with stakeholders to execute on

Qualifications

• Significant experience in product strategy, product management and advertising technology.
• Proven ability to translate business needs into product propositions and roadmaps.
• Experience leading cross-functional product, engineering, data and technology teams.
• Strong senior stakeholder and partner-facing capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Establishing the product discipline and development model for SPI.
• Owning the full product lifecycle and client experience for prioritised products.
• Translate client and market needs into clear product propositions and priorities.
• Lead product build, launch and enablement, communicating direction to leadership and teams.
• Accelerate the integration of SPI products into dentsu.Connect.

Skills

Product strategy

Product management

Advertising technology

Data & platform strategy

Cross-functional leadership

Job description

Job Description

The purpose of this role is to lead the technical product development and stack integration strategy for the products, tools and capabilities developed via SPI function within Global partnerships and integrated Solutions.

Job Description Summary

The Global Partnerships and Solutions team is looking for an experienced and commercially driven Product Director to lead the strategy, development and delivery of products and capabilities funded through dentsu’s global Strategic Partner Innovation (SPI) programme. The first dedicated product leadership role within the expanded SPI remit, the Product Strategy Director will establish the product discipline and development model required to deliver the next iteration of SPI, setting the standard for how strategically impactful products are developed, integrated, scaled and iterated The role will lead an allocated portfolio of products and strategic workstreams, leading technical requirements through discovery, design, development, integration, launch, adoption and ongoing evolution. It will ensure that capabilities committed within approved Statements of Work are delivered successfully and generate measurable value for dentsu, its clients and strategic partners. Working deeply with global and local Data & Tech (D&T) teams, the role will provide the critical connection between SPI innovation and dentsu. The successful candidate will combine strategic and commercial thinking with hands‑on product leadership, bringing clarity to ambiguity, driving decisions and moving complex products from ambition to operational reality. The role will report to the Global Solutions Partnerships Senior Director, working closely with global and local D&T, Global Product, Commercial, Legal, markets and strategic partner teams across dentsu.

Key Accountabilities

• Establishing the product discipline and development model for SPI, creating a consistent approach to product definition, development, integration and scaling.


• Owning the full product lifecycle and client experience for the prioritised products, aligned with approved SOW commitments, client needs, partner priorities and the global D&T and dentsu.Connect strategies. Grounding products in evidence.


• Working directly with practitioners and markets to define the user, the problem and demand before SOW is committed.


• Translate client, market, partner and commercial needs into clear product propositions, use cases, requirements and development priorities.


• Act as a primary connection between SPI, our markets and the product direction, technical roadmaps, architecture, data requirements and development priorities.


• Lead internal product, engineering, data and development teams, alongside SPI delivery partners, setting direction, driving decisions and maintaining accountability for quality, outcomes and timelines.


• Ensure products committed are delivered to the required scope and standard, proactively managing dependencies, risks, decisions and changes.


• Accelerate the integration of SPI products and capabilities into dentsu.Connect, ensuring they are designed for interoperability, reuse and scale across dentsu’s wider product, data and technology ecosystem.


• Define the value proposition, target users, success measures and route to adoption and commercialisation for each product, using performance and commercial data to direct continued development.


• Lead product build, launch and enablement, clearly communicating product direction, value and progress to leadership, technical teams, markets, clients and strategic partners.

Person Specification

• An experienced and credible product leader, able to take accountability for complex products from definition through delivery, adoption and scale.


• Strategically and commercially minded, with the ability to translate client, business and partner needs into clear and differentiated product propositions.


• Comfortable leading product, engineering, data and technology teams, with sufficient technical understanding to challenge decisions and drive outcomes.


• Decisive and accountable, able to set direction, make informed trade-offs and maintain momentum through complexity and ambiguity.


• Able to combine long‑term product vision with close attention to requirements, scope, dependencies, integration and delivery quality.


• A strong cross‑functional leader who can align global and local teams, specialist functions and delivery partners without direct authority.


• Able to simplify complex product, technical and commercial subjects and communicate them with authority to different audiences.


• A collaborative and hands‑on leader who sets high standards, creates accountability and connects capabilities from across the dentsu network.

Professional Skills

• Significant experience in product strategy, product management, media solutions, advertising technology, data, platform strategy or a related discipline.


• Demonstrable experience leading products or substantial workstreams through strategy, design, development, integration, launch and scaling.


• Proven ability to translate business, client and market needs into product propositions, roadmaps, requirements and development priorities.


• Experience leading cross‑functional product, engineering, data and technology teams across complex global organisations.


• Strong understanding of digital media, advertising technology, data and the capabilities of major global platforms such as Google, Meta and Amazon.


• Experience integrating new products or capabilities into established product, data or technology ecosystems.


• Sufficient technical understanding to engage credibly on architecture, data, APIs, interoperability, development requirements and product integration.


• Strong commercial acumen, including experience developing value propositions and defining routes to adoption, scale and commercialisation.


• Experience leading product positioning, go‑to‑market, enablement and market activation.


• Strong senior stakeholder, client and partner‑facing capability, with excellent presentation, written and verbal communication skills.

What we offer

This is a permanent role. This is a hybrid working role with the expectation that you will be in our London office 2 times a week. As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a benefits package that you can tailor to your needs. Location: London Brand: Dentsu Solutions Time Type: Full time Contract Type: Permanent

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 recognize 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 [e-mail], 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.

About Dentsu

Taking a people‑centered approach to business transformation, we use insights to connect brand, content, commerce and experience, underpinned by modern creativity. As part of Dentsu Group Inc. we are headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and our 65,000 employee‑base of dedicated professionals work across four regions (Japan, Americas, EMEA and APAC). Dentsu combines Japanese innovation with a diverse, global perspective to drive client growth and to shape society. Diversity, equity, and inclusion sits at the heart of our Social Impact strategy – our fully integrated sustainability strategy which includes our ambition to build a fair and more equal society, where everyone is equipped to thrive.

#LI‑Hybrid Location: London Brand: Dentsu Solutions Time Type: Full time Contract Type: Permanent

About dentsu

For over 120 years, innovation has been a core tenet of our offering – exploring new ways to reach, engage and nurture relationships with audiences. Together we drive a multiplier effect for clients at a global scale, through the development of Integrated Growth Solutions that are underpinned by our promise to clients: innovating to impact. Be a force for good. Sustainability is a vital part of our business and an important area of focus for our clients. We’re leading the way – helping to build a more sustainable planet. Dream loud. In this moment of transformation, we need our people to be fearless, embracing change and ambiguity, driven by the love for their work and excitement for the future. Team without limits. We create opportunities for connection and collaboration between our colleagues and clients, building a sense of belonging and having some fun along the way. Find out more about us Who we are Our Social Impact Our work