SVP, Unified Investment

Merkle Italia; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 197,000 - 263,000; Full time

Job summary

Dentsu’s iProspect in New York is seeking an Investment Lead to architect holistic media investment strategies across Search, Social, Programmatic, and more, aligning channels into a single connected system for client outcomes.

You will balance budgets, guide strategy with data and forecasts, and lead global vs. regional approaches while mentoring teams and shaping marketplace thinking.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in media investment or planning.
• Seasoned experience in Social & Search.
• 10+ years operating within a large, complex global organization/account.
• 8+ years leading and inspiring teams.
• Exceptional client leadership and strategic storytelling skills.

Responsibilities

• Architect the Unified Investment System Design and manage holistic investment strategies across Search, Social, Programmatic, Video, Retail Media, and beyond ensuring all channels work together as a connected system, not in silos.
• Balance and oversee working media budgets dynamically, aligning every investment decision with client business objectives, market signals, and future opportunity.
• Harness data analysis, interconnected signals, and economic forecasting to proactively guide strategy and navigate market volatility.
• Champion innovation, integrating emerging tools, AI-driven solutions, and novel deal structures that elevate client performance and iProspect’s market differentiation.
• Develop reusable frameworks, POV templates, and operating models that embed holistic thinking into the agency’s DNA.
• Ability to work in ambiguity to create a bespoke approach for your specific client(s).
• Determine & Lead Global vs. Regional strategy and/or approaches within unified investment.
• Lead Clients & Shape Marketplace Thinking.
• Be the primary voice for unified investment, delivering sharp, forward-looking narratives that connect investment decisions directly to business outcomes.
• Confidently lead high-stakes discussions, transforming insights into clarity and decisive guidance for clients.
• Serve as a thought leader, synthesizing competitive intelligence, consumer trends, and economic shifts into holistic viewpoints that shape both client strategy and iProspect’s position in the market.
• Actively contribute to client growth, crafting compelling market POVs, designing holistic investment solutions, and helping secure new JBP’s, both global and local, that drive growth.
• Build & Inspire High-Performing Teams.
• Mentor channel specialists, fostering the ability to think and act holistically rather than in channel silos.

Skills

Media investment

Leadership

Strategic storytelling

Emerging technologies

Global program management

Job description

We believe media investment shouldn’t exist in silos. We believe in media engineered as a unified system, interconnected, intelligent, and designed to drive measurable business outcomes at speed. As the Investment Lead, you’ll be the architect of that system for clients. You’ll build holistic investment strategies that break down walls between channels, unify signals across the ecosystem, and turn complexity into clarity for clients. Every dollar should not only work harder, but smarter, connected across the entire consumer experience. This is not a role for traditional media buyers. It’s for strategic thinkers, storytellers, and leaders who can translate data and market insight into decisive action and sustainable growth. If you’re ready to lead the next chapter of performance media, we want you on our team.

What You’ll Do

• Architect the Unified Investment System Design and manage holistic investment strategies across Search, Social, Programmatic, Video, Retail Media, and beyond ensuring all channels work together as a connected system, not in silos.
• Balance and oversee working media budgets dynamically, aligning every investment decision with client business objectives, market signals, and future opportunity.
• Harness data analysis, interconnected signals, and economic forecasting to proactively guide strategy and navigate market volatility.
• Champion innovation, integrating emerging tools, AI-driven solutions, and novel deal structures that elevate both client performance and iProspect’s market differentiation.
• Develop reusable frameworks, POV templates, and operating models that embed holistic thinking into the agency’s DNA.
• Ability to work in ambiguity to create a bespoke approach for your specific client(s).
• Determine & Lead Global vs. Regional strategy and/or approaches within unified investment.
• Lead Clients & Shape Marketplace Thinking.
• Be the primary voice for unified investment, delivering sharp, forward-looking narratives that connect investment decisions directly to business outcomes.
• Confidently lead high-stakes discussions, transforming insights into clarity and decisive guidance for clients.
• Serve as a thought leader, synthesizing competitive intelligence, consumer trends, and economic shifts into holistic viewpoints that shape both client strategy and iProspect’s position in the market.
• Actively contribute to client growth, crafting compelling market POVs, designing holistic investment solutions, and helping secure new JBP’s, both global and local, that drive growth.
• Build & Inspire High-Performing Teams.
• Mentor channel specialists, fostering the ability to think and act holistically rather than in channel silos.

Must-Have

• 12+ years in media investment or planning with proven experience across all channels.
• Seasoned experience in Social & Search is required.
• 10+ yrs experience operating within a large, complex global organization/account.
• 8+ years leading and inspiring teams.
• Exceptional client leadership and strategic storytelling skills.
• Passion for emerging technologies and their role in transforming media.

Salary and Incentives

The annual base salary range for this position is $197,225-$263,062. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law. Additionally, this position is eligible for discretionary incentive compensation.

Benefits

• 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 more information regarding dentsu benefits, please visit www.dentsubenefitsplus.com.

Location & Contract

Location: New York. Brand: Iprospect. Time Type: Full time. Contract Type: Permanent.

Equal Opportunity & Accommodation

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]. 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