Alliance Operations Manager

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 role partners closely with Alliance Partner Managers, Growth Operations, Marketing, and Sales teams to manage partner programs, support alliance governance, maintain partner compliance requirements, and drive operational processes that enable partner growth across the Americas region.

This is a hybrid opportunity with in-office and remote work expectations aligned with dentsu's flexible working model. You will report into the Senior Director, Growth Operations. The ideal candidate brings experience supporting partner, channel, alliance, or program operations and enjoys coordinating cross-functional initiatives, managing operational processes, and building scalable programs. Success in this role requires strong organization, stakeholder collaboration, attention to detail, and a continuous improvement mindset.

• Manage operational programs that support strategic alliance partnerships, including deal registrations, market development funds (MDF), co-op funding, referral programs, and partner benefit administration.
• Support partner lifecycle operations, including program enrollment, certifications, specializations, compliance requirements, and partner tier management.
• Serve as an administrator for partner portals and partnership technology platforms, ensuring program requirements, partner information, and system access are maintained accurately.
• Partner with Alliance Partner Managers to coordinate business reviews, planning activities, partner communications, and strategic alliance initiatives.
• Collaborate with Growth Operations, Marketing, and Sales teams to support partner marketing efforts, events, campaigns, lead management, and enablement activities.
• Develop and maintain training materials, documentation, and operational resources for alliance teams and internal stakeholders.
• Support alliance reporting and operational reviews by maintaining accurate partner and program information within CRM and alliance systems.
• Investigate operational issues, resolve process-related challenges, and recommend improvements that enhance program effectiveness and efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to streamline alliance operations, strengthen governance processes, and improve the overall partner experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in partner operations, alliance operations, channel operations, sales operations, business operations, program management, or a related field.
• Experience supporting operational programs, workflows, or business processes across multiple stakeholders and teams.
• Experience working with partner programs, channel ecosystems, alliance initiatives, or customer-facing operational functions.
• Experience working with CRM platforms such as Salesforce, Hub Spot, Zoho, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar systems.
• Strong organizational, project…