Data, Analytics & AI Lead

Job Description: We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Data, Analytics & AI Director to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will serve as a strategic advisor to our clients, helping them translate business objectives into actionable, data- and AI-enabled strategies for owned channels (web, email, commerce). You will design and implement these strategies, utilizing data insights to drive measurable success for our clients. You will lead projects and expand our services, participating in presales and consultancy activities. With over 5 years of professional experience, including at least 3 years in strategic roles, you demonstrate a strong commitment to both personal and professional development. At Merkle, we emphasize continuous learning and are dedicated to fully supporting your growth. Key Responsibilities Client Strategy: Understand client business goals and translate them into actionable data and AI-enabled strategies and roadmaps. Consultative Selling & Pre-Sales Support: Engage with potential clients to understand their challenges, collaborate with sales teams on pitches, and act as a trusted advisor to showcase how Merkle’s expertise, including AI-driven solutions, meets client-specific goals. Solution Design & Implementation: Design and implement tailored data and analytics solutions, incorporating AI where it adds clear business value. Recommendations: Provide actionable insights and recommendations to enhance client outcomes based on data analysis and AI-supported insights. Collaboration: Work closely with other specialist teams within Merkle and dentsu to deliver integrated solutions, including AI-enabled initiatives. Industry Expertise: Stay informed on the latest trends and technologies in data analytics, digital marketing, and applied AI in marketing and customer experience. Qualifications Proven experience as a Data & Analytics Consultant or in a similar role. Solid understanding of digital marketing, CRM, and email marketing. Strong proficiency in data analysis tools and programming languages (e.g., SQL, Python, R). Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI). Interest in or exposure to AI applications in business or marketing. Excellent communication, presentation, and persuasive skills, including the ability to explain data and AI concepts in a clear, business-friendly way. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Ability to translate customer strategies into effective data and AI-supported strategies. What We Offer An international work environment with colleagues from across the globe. A challenging role in a fast-growing market. Plenty of fun at work: table football, table tennis, team events, parties, and more. 3 extra Well-being Days, on top of 25 annual vacation days. 2 Social Impact Days for volunteering. Extensive learning and development opportunities, both in-person and online. A hybrid work model: 2-3 days in the office, the rest from home. Competitive salary and great benefits. Company Description Merkle, a dentsu company, powers the experience economy. For over 35 years, Merkle has placed people at the heart of its digital business transformation approach. As the only integrated experience consultancy with a heritage in data science and business performance, Merkle delivers holistic, end-to-end experiences that drive growth, engagement, and loyalty. Recognized as a "Leader" by top industry analysts in categories such as digital transformation, commerce, experience design, engineering, technology integration, digital marketing, data science, CRM, loyalty, and customer data management, Merkle operates in 30+ countries with over 16,000 employees. In the Netherlands, more than 150 Merkle employees work with clients like ASML, Albert Heijn, HEMA, Carglass, and Signify. Merkle Netherlands is a strategic partner of Google, Adobe, Salesforce, and Selligent. For more information, visit . Diversity and Inclusion At dentsu we believe in the power of diversity. We welcome all applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, color, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Contact: We look forward to receiving your application for any questions, please contact the TA in charge of this role: David Ryall, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, EMEA, NE. #LI-MERKLE #LI-Hybrid #LI-DR2 Location: Rotterdam Brand: Merkle Time Type: Full time Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract (Fixed Term)