Managing Director, Total Search

Job Description:

Dentsu is an integrated growth and transformation partner to the world’s leading organizations. Founded in 1901 in Tokyo, Japan, and now present in over 145 countries and regions, it has a proven track record of nurturing and developing innovations, combining the talents of its global network of leadership brands to develop impactful and integrated growth solutions for clients. Dentsu delivers end-to-end experience transformation (EX) by integrating its services across Media, CXM and Creative, while its business transformation (BX) mindset pushes the boundaries of transformation and sustainable growth for brands, people and society. 

The Managing Director, Total Search is a highly experienced and innovative Search expert who will define and lead the dentsu search product. We operate one of the largest search teams globally and we’re looking for an inspirational search leader who can place dentsu at the very top of the industry, guiding us through the evolution of technology, privacy and platform changes happening in search. You are an inspiring leader and will develop an ambitious and curious Search team who constantly push limits on what great Search looks like, taking advantage of the latest advancements in technology and measurement. This role is all about growth, both with existing clients and new top agency, which you will cultivate through regular industry engagement. A specific background managing global Search strategy and large Search agency teams is crucial.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Leadership and Team Management:
• Lead and inspire a diverse team of over 370 SEO and PPC specialists across 6 UK locations
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Develop and implement strategies to attract, retain, and develop top talent.
• Foster open communication. Regular team meetings, one-on-ones, and feedback sessions are essential.
2. P&L Management:
• Oversee the financial performance of the Search Practice.
• Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and financial plans.
• Ensure profitability and growth targets are met or exceeded.
3. Product vision:
• Accountable for the creation and delivery of the dentsu paid & organic search product
• Work with your senior team to design and champion a future focused paid search product, ensuring we’re continually pushing boundaries of performance
• Bring the wider team along with the product vision, ensuring everyone understands the direction of travel and importantly the role they play in delivering it
• Ensure our product is recognised across all major internal stakeholders
• Lead all major Search new business both in approach and management
• Ensure teams are maximising the internal and cross sell opportunities across our large client base
4. Partner Relationships:
• Lead our Search relationship with both Google and Bing, owning respective paid search JBPs across product, commercial, talent and thought leadership
• Build extended network across technology sector, bring new commercial and product opportunities to Dentsu
• Negotiate and manage contracts, ensuring favourable terms and conditions.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and leverage partner resources to enhance service offerings.
5. Integration and Collaboration:
• Work closely with other departments to integrate search capabilities into the overall media agency product.
• Ensure alignment with broader agency goals and strategies.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration to drive innovation and client success.
6. Client Engagement:
• Serve as a senior point of contact for key clients.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and retention.
• Identify opportunities for upselling and cross-selling additional services.
7. Strategic Planning:
• Develop and execute a strategic vision for the Search Practice.
• Identify market opportunities and emerging trends.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in service delivery.

Qualifications:
• Proven experience in a senior leadership role within a global media agency.
• Strong experience leading global integrated search programmes
• Demonstrated success in managing large teams and complex digital projects.
• Excellent financial acumen and experience managing P&L.
• Strong relationships with key industry partners, particularly Google and Microsoft.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of driving growth and innovation.
 

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 recognize 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 [email protected], 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.

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