Director, Digital Media

Dentsu; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 113,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

401k plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Merkle is seeking a Director of Digital Media to lead and scale delivery across three strategic areas: Media Reseller License, Digital Media Technology Consulting, and Consultant Team Leadership. This high-impact role requires strategic thinking, operational excellence, and a consultative mindset to drive growth and client success.

Responsibilities include end-to-end delivery oversight of GMP-based platforms, strategic advisory on data strategies, and building scalable processes with a focus on

Qualifications

• 8+ years in digital media, ad tech, or data-driven marketing consulting with increasing leadership responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of GMP (DV360, CM360, SA360, Google Ads). Google Ad Manager preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with other DSPs (e.g., The Trade Desk, Yahoo, Viant) is beneficial to support consulting expertise.
• Experience managing reseller license businesses and consulting teams; familiarity with retail media technology deployments is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of Google Media Platform reseller license business with operational excellence and client satisfaction.
• Provide strategic oversight of digital media technology consulting, including ad tech infrastructure and data pipelines.
• Support Retail Media Network technology services and act as strategic advisor on media activation and data strategies.
• Mentor and grow a team of Digital Media consultants, building best practices and training programs.

Skills

Leadership

GMP / DV360

Ad Tech

Team Leadership

RFP & BD Support

Tools

Google Ad Manager

The Trade Desk

Yahoo / Viant

Job description

We welcome remote candidates based in the continental United States and Canada. Merkle is seeking a Director of Digital Media to lead and scale our delivery capabilities across three strategic areas: Media Reseller License Business, Digital Media Technology Consulting, Consultant Team Leadership. This is a high-impact leadership role requiring strategic thinking, operational excellence, and a consultative mindset to drive growth, efficiency, and client success.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Delivery Oversight. Own end-to-end delivery of Google Media Platform (SA360, DV360, CM360) reseller license business, ensuring operational excellence, platform compliance, and client satisfaction.
• Provide strategic oversight of digital media technology consulting, including ad tech infrastructure, data pipelines, and activation workflows.
• Support Retail Media Network technology services as part of broader client solutions, including GAM or similar platforms, where applicable.
• Act as a strategic advisor to clients on media activation, first-party data strategies, and platform adoption.
• Collaborate with internal teams and technology partners to evolve delivery processes and unlock efficiencies across media and data ecosystems.
• Partner with business development teams on RFP responses, solution design, and client pitches to expand platform licensing and consulting services.
• Identify opportunities to enhance first-party data capabilities and explore monetization strategies, including retail media where relevant.
• Team Leadership & Development. Lead, mentor, and grow a team of Digital Media consultants, ensuring delivery excellence, knowledge sharing, and professional development.
• Build best practices, training programs, and operational frameworks to scale delivery capacity while maintaining high-quality client outcomes.
• Foster collaboration across internal data, analytics, media, and activation teams for integrated client solutions.
• Support ongoing platform consulting and billing operations for clients.
• Thought Leadership & Innovation. Stay ahead of emerging trends in ad tech, data privacy, and media activation to guide internal strategy and client recommendations.
• Publish POVs, whitepapers, or blog posts to position the team as thought leaders in digital media technology and platform activation.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in digital media, ad tech, or data-driven marketing consulting, with increasing leadership responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of GMP (DV360, CM360, SA360, Google Ads). Google Ad Manager preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with other DSPs (e.g., The Trade Desk, Yahoo, Viant) is beneficial to support consulting expertise across the ad tech ecosystem.
• Experience managing reseller license businesses and consulting teams; familiarity with retail media technology deployments is a plus.
• Proven track record in media activation, ad tech implementation, and first-party data strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to manage teams, lead client engagements, and deliver complex, multi-channel solutions.
• Experience with business development support, including solution design and RFP participation.

Time Allocation

• 40% Practice & Delivery Leadership (Licensing, Client Solutions, Technology Services)
• 30% Team Management & Development
• 30% Business Development & Thought Leadership

Additional Information

• Canada Based Candidates: Vacancy: Is this posting for the purposes of filling an existing vacancy? [Y/N]
• The salary range for this position is $130,000-145,000. Actual salary within the salary range will be based on a variety of factors including relevant experience, knowledge, and skills.
• A range of medical, dental, RRSP, paid time off, and/or other benefits are also available to all permanent employees.
• AI Disclosure: [dentsu] utilizes artificial intelligence tools as part of its recruitment process. During the sourcing and screening stages. All other parts of the dentsu application and hiring processes do not utilize artificial intelligence tools.
• We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds foster a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better business results. We strive to create workplaces that reflect the clients we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We are committed to working with our candidates from all ability levels throughout the recruitment process to ensure that they have what they need to be at their best. If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] or to begin a conversation about your individual accessibility needs throughout the hiring process.
• US Based Candidates: The annual salary range for this position is $113,000-$158,750. 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
  • 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.

Location & Employment

• Location: USA - Remote - Illinois
• Brand: Merkle
• Time Type: Full time
• Contract Type: Permanent

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 [e-mail] 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.

About Dentsu

At dentsu, we believe great work happens when we’re connected. 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