Alliance Operations Manager

Job Description:

Merkle is a leading data-driven, technology-enabled, global performance marketing agency that delivers unique, personalized customer experiences across platforms and devices. For over 30 years, Fortune 1000 companies have partnered with Merkle to maximize the value of their customer portfolios.

With 16,000+ teammates across 50+ global offices, we bring together diverse expertise: 5,000+ technologists and engineers, 4,500+ data analysts and scientists, 3,000+ strategists and operators, 2,500+ loyalty and engagement experts, and 1,000+ designers and UX professionals. As part of Dentsu, we combine media and creative excellence with data, CX, and technology depth to deliver end-to-end solutions.

The Alliance Operations Manager plays a key role in supporting the operational success of our strategic alliance partnerships, with an initial focus on Adobe and Salesforce. This position partners closely with Alliance Partner Managers, Growth Operations, Marketing, and Sales teams to deliver reporting, program management, process improvement, and operational support that helps drive alliance growth across the Americas region.

The ideal candidate brings a strong operational mindset, enjoys working with data and cross-functional stakeholders, and can translate business requirements into actionable insights and scalable processes. This role is well-suited for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is naturally curious, and is motivated by continuous improvement.

Responsibilities:

• Manage operational activities that support strategic alliance partnerships, including deal registrations, market development funds (MDF), co-op funding, referral programs, and partner program requirements.

• Monitor partner program metrics, compliance requirements, certifications, specializations, and tiering criteria to help maintain and strengthen partner standing.

• Serve as an administrator for partner portals and partnership technology platforms, ensuring accurate data management and user enablement.

• Partner with Alliance Partner Managers to provide reporting, analysis, and insights that support executive business reviews, strategic planning, and business decision-making.

• Collaborate with Growth Operations, Marketing, and Sales teams to support alliance-related campaigns, events, lead management activities, and partner engagement initiatives.

• Maintain high-quality alliance data within CRM systems, including partner contacts, revenue attribution, and reporting inputs.

• Investigate operational issues, troubleshoot data-related questions, and provide timely support for alliance stakeholders.

• Contribute to training materials, documentation, and enablement resources that support alliance teams and the broader commercial organization.

• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reporting capabilities, and operational workflows that increase efficiency and enable business growth.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, or a related discipline.

• 3+ years of experience in sales operations, business operations, revenue operations, marketing operations, partner operations, commercial operations, or a related field.

• Experience supporting cross-functional teams through reporting, process management, analytics, or operational program administration.

• Experience working with CRM platforms such as Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar systems.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience working with data, reporting, and operational metrics.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to organize, analyze, and interpret business data.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present insights and recommendations to stakeholders.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing business needs, and maintain attention to detail in a dynamic environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting alliance, partner, channel, or technology partnership programs.

• Familiarity with Adobe, Salesforce, or similar technology partner ecosystems.

• Experience working with partner portals, tiering programs, certifications, or specialization requirements.

• Exposure to reporting and visualization tools such as Power BI or similar business intelligence platforms.

• Familiarity with AI productivity tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Claude, or similar technologies.

• Experience using partnership management platforms.

The annual salary range for this position is $82,500-$110,000. 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.

To begin the application process, please click on the “Apply” button at the top of this job posting. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and qualified candidates will be contacted for next steps.

#LI-Hybrid #LI-Merkle #LI-CP1

Location: Detroit - 3000 Town Center

Brand: Merkle

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 ApplicantAccommodations@dentsu.com 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.