Delivery Portfolio Lead 12 Month FTC

Job Description:

About Merkle
Merkle a dentsu company powers the experience economy. For more than 35 years the company has put people at the heart of its approach to digital business transformation. As the only integrated experience consultancy in the world with a heritage in data science and business performance Merkle delivers holistic end-to-end experiences that drive growth engagement and loyalty. Merkles expertise has earned recognition as a Leader by top industry analyst firms in categories such as digital transformation and commerce experience design engineering and technology integration digital marketing data science CRM and loyalty and customer data management. With more than 16000 employees Merkle operates in 30 countries throughout the Americas EMEA and APAC. For more information visit .

Role Overview

The Delivery Portfolio Lead is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the successful delivery of a portfolio of client programmes and projects. The role ensures delivery outcomes are achieved while maintaining strong alignment with client expectations and commercial objectives at the account level.

Working alongside Client Leadership the Delivery Portfolio Lead supports account growth by providing delivery expertise validating feasibility and ensuring that commitments are realistic and set up for success. This role combines strategic oversight with delivery assurance.

This role requires a highly experienced programme delivery professional from a consultancy or vendor background capable of operating across both strategic oversight and operational delivery assurance.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Delivery Oversight

• Own the successful delivery of programmes and projects across a defined portfolio of client accounts.

• Ensure delivery outcomes are achieved in line with agreed timelines scope quality and financial expectations.

• Provide oversight of programme execution through Programme Managers and Delivery Leads ensuring appropriate delegation and accountability.

• Monitor programme health through defined indicators reporting and engagement with delivery teams.

• Provide clear evidence-based assessments on whether delivery will succeed based on performance risks and dependencies.

• Intervene where required to resolve critical issues unblock delivery or reset direction.
  

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build strong trusted relationships with clients and internal stakeholders at all levels.

• Act as a senior escalation point for delivery-related issues and risks.

• Work in close partnership with Client Leadership to align delivery execution with client expectations.

• Provide confidence and transparency through clear communication on delivery status and outlook.
  

Pipeline Demand & Risk Management

• Proactively manage delivery pipeline including demand forecasting resource planning and capacity management at account level.

• Identify and mitigate risks driven by client changes resourcing challenges or external factors.

• Balance proactive planning with reactive issue resolution in a fast-paced environment.

• Ensure appropriate mitigation strategies are in place for risks impacting delivery outcomes
  

Commercial & Financial Management

• Oversee financial performance at the account level including budget tracking forecasting cost management and margin awareness.

• Work with Programme Managers to ensure financial discipline across delivery.

• Support Client Leadership in maintaining account profitability through informed delivery decisions.
  

Delivery Excellence & Process Improvements

• Drive continuous improvement across delivery practices governance and ways of working.

• Ensure consistent application of delivery methodologies and standards

• Identify opportunities to optimise efficiency reduce cost and improve delivery predictability

• Promote best practices across delivery teams and programmes

Sales Support & Delivery Advisory

• Support sales and growth efforts as a delivery advisor not an account owner.

• Validate feasibility timelines effort capacity and budget for new and existing opportunities.

• Contribute to proposals and Statements of Work (SOWs) to ensure deliverability.

• Attend client pitches where required representing delivery and building confidence in capability.

Key Skills & Experience

• Minimum 10 years experience delivering complex programmes in consultancy systems integrator or agency environments.

• Strong programme management background with experience moving into portfolio oversight.

• Experience in marketing digital or technology delivery environments.

• Demonstrable experience in process improvement and cost management.

• Strong commercial acumen at account level.

• Experience leading delivery teams and managing programme managers.

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Experience supporting pre-sales and client growth initiatives in a delivery advisory capacity

Personal Attributes

• Highly credible confident communicator with strong executive presence

• Pragmatic and outcome-focused with strong judgement

• Proactive and forward-looking balanced with the ability to react quickly to issues

• Resilient and calm under pressure

• Able to build trust and credibility quickly across clients and internal teams

• Strong sense of ownership and accountability for delivery outcomes

What we offer

• This is a fixed term contract

• This is a hybrid working role with the expectation that you will be in 2 times a week

• As well as a competitive salary youll enjoy a benefits package that you can tailor to your needs.

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 recognise 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 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.

#LI-Hybrid #LI-MERKLE

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