Director, Growth & Alliances

Merkle Italia; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance (short/long-term)

401k

Job summary

Dentsu Creative in Chicago seeks a Director of Growth and Alliances to drive new business using performance creative across paid media, CRM, AI tools, and data platforms. You will coach teams through complex pitches, coordinate across departments, and craft compelling RFP responses that articulate ROI and conversion.

This role partners with executives and leads high-stakes client engagements. The position emphasizes strategy development, creative storytelling, and measurable growth, with hybrid

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in New Business within a recognized media or creative agency.
• 6+ years of experience managing the pitch process across multiple industry categories.
• Proven experience leading and coaching teams through complex pitch processes and new business initiatives.
• Hands-on experience with performance creative platforms and tools, including paid media, CRM strategies, dynamic creative optimization (DCO), AI-driven creative production, and programmatic buying.
• Strong data literacy: comfortable interpreting performance metrics, conversion analytics, and attribution models to brief teams and inform strategy.

Responsibilities

• You will manage all new business activity, participating wherever appropriate in the planning and follow-up of growth efforts and projects
• You will assist in the development of a revenue growth strategy, with emphasis on new clients and performance-driven creative offerings
• You will work with the pitch team and all departments to ensure aspects of the new business effort are completed according to process, schedule and expectation
• You will lead the development of RFP responses, in partnership with the new business team and agency leaders, with ability to articulate performance creative capabilities across paid media, CRM, dynamic creative optimization, AI creative solutions, and programmatic tools
• You will maintain agency credentials, case studies, and biographies for RFPs and presentations, and author refresh content to ensure the most relevant performance creative work and results are highlighted
• Lead a process that moves teams to strong, strategic presentations grounded in conversion and ROI
• Bring creativity and inspiration to the team while maintaining focus on performance metrics and measurable outcomes
• Gather potential client and competitive background information to help brief pitch teams and build winning pitch strategies, with particular attention to client marketing technology and performance goals
• Prepare consulting agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and new business proposals

Skills

New business leadership

Pitch process management

Performance creative platforms

Data literacy

Strategic storytelling

Tools

Paid media platforms

CRM strategies

DCO

AI-driven creative production

Programmatic buying

Job description

Job Description: The Director, Growth and Alliances supports the Creative Practice Area with a focus on performance creative, and facilitates the pitch processes within business. You bring deep expertise in how paid media, CRM, AI tools, and data platforms work together to drive measurable results and conversion. You will be working with both existing client partners and brands but will also respond to and identify new client engagement opportunities. This role routinely interfaces with VP, SVP, and C-Level Dentsu leadership as well as high-level client executives. You will report to our EVP, Growth and Alliances. This role is a great opportunity for someone who loves bringing people together by overseeing the pitch process through problem-solving and coaching/motivating teams.

Responsibilities

• You will manage all new business activity, participating wherever appropriate in the planning and follow-up of growth efforts and projects
• You will assist in the development of a revenue growth strategy, with emphasis on new clients and performance-driven creative offerings
• You will work with the pitch team and all departments to ensure aspects of the new business effort are completed according to process, schedule and expectation
• You will lead the development of RFP responses, in partnership with the new business team and agency leaders, with ability to articulate performance creative capabilities across paid media, CRM, dynamic creative optimization, AI creative solutions, and programmatic tools
• You will maintain agency credentials, case studies, and biographies for RFPs and presentations, and author refresh content to ensure the most relevant performance creative work and results are highlighted
• Lead a process that moves teams to strong, strategic presentations grounded in conversion and ROI
• Bring creativity and inspiration to the team while maintaining focus on performance metrics and measurable outcomes
• Gather potential client and competitive background information to help brief pitch teams and build winning pitch strategies, with particular attention to client marketing technology and performance goals
• Prepare consulting agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and new business proposals

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in New Business within a recognized media or creative agency
• 6+ years of experience managing the pitch process across multiple industry categories
• Proven experience leading and coaching teams through complex pitch processes and new business initiatives
• Hands-on experience with performance creative platforms and tools, including paid media, CRM strategies, dynamic creative optimization (DCO), AI-driven creative production, and programmatic buying
• Strong data literacy: comfortable interpreting performance metrics, conversion analytics, and attribution models to brief teams and inform strategy
• Strategic perspective on how creative choices (format, messaging, personalization, creative testing) directly impact conversion and business results in performance channels
• Experience with the marketing function, including what drives CMO/Director-level decisions, and ability to apply team goals into a compelling agency story and win strategy
• Demonstrated talent for abstract thinking, spotting trends and patterns, curiosity and insight into human behavior, instinct for pop culture, and a nuanced understanding of creative and media-driven work
• Proven ability to articulate why performance creative matters to clients—how it connects to their business goals, not just to tactics

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.

#LI-Hybrid #LI-KR1

Location: Chicago Brand: Dentsu Creative Time Type: Full time Contract Type: Permanent

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 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