AdTechTalent
Product2 days agoHybrid

Merkle

Senior Innovation Manager

innovationprogram managementAIautomationdata intelligencemartechcustomer experienceleadershipteam managementstrategic planningtechnology enablementPOCscalingbudget managementstakeholder managemententerpriseconsulting

Key details

Salary

Not specified

Employment type

Full-time

Seniority

Lead

Years experience

10+

Location

Belgrade, Serbia

Full job description

Lead the CE Innovation funnel and Centre for Enablement (C4E) by identifying opportunities, running POCs, scaling successful initiatives, and breaking silos across geographies and practices. Manage a team of 2-8, overseeing strategy, intake-to-scale delivery, enablement, and impact measurement. Own innovation funnel processes including technology assessment, pitch process, investment criteria, and POC-to-scale management. Drive strategic technology initiatives in AI, automation, data intelligence, martech integration, and customer experience from conception to scaled adoption. Facilitate cross-capability collaboration to unblock pilots and adoption. Develop playbooks, tools, training, and support structures for consistent delivery. Manage quarterly innovation roadmaps, sprint delivery, key metrics reporting with C-suite visibility, budgets, vendor contracts, compliance, and regulatory issues. Design repeatable playbooks and scaling strategies for rapid rollout. Lead innovation recognition programs and build a high-performing team. Requirements include 7+ years leading programs or technology initiatives, 5+ years line management, 3+ years C-level stakeholder management, 3+ years managing budgets and vendor negotiations, proven adoption success in large organizations, rapid MVP delivery experience, and strong facilitation skills. Fluent English required; German is a plus. Benefits include private health insurance, flexible hybrid work, paid sick leave, certifications, learning platform access, vacation, volunteering days, wellness days, mental health support, team events, office amenities, and referral bonuses.

What you'll do

  • Curate, manage and triage the CE Innovation funnel and Centre for Enablement (C4E)
  • Identify opportunities, run POCs, scale winners, and break silos across geographies and practices
  • Lead a small team (2–8) day to day
  • Own the innovation funnel: assess emerging technologies, define pitch process and investment criteria, manage POC-to-scale process
  • Drive strategic technology enablement initiatives from conception through scaled adoption
  • Lead cross-capability collaboration across geographies and practices
  • Build and grow C4E: define playbooks, tools, training, and support structures
  • Own quarterly innovation roadmaps and sprint delivery
  • Define, track, and communicate key metrics with C-suite visibility
  • Manage budget, costs, licensing, compliance, vendor contracts, and regulatory barriers
  • Design repeatable playbooks and scaling strategies for rapid rollout of proven innovations
  • Own the innovation recognition and celebration program
  • Build and coach a team of 2–8; develop capability and create space for growth

Requirements

  • 7+ years leading programs or technology initiatives in enterprise or consulting
  • 5+ years of line management in innovation or delivery
  • 3+ years of C-level stakeholder management in complex, matrixed organizations
  • 3+ years managing operational budgets (€500K–€2M+), vendor negotiations, and ROI forecasting
  • Proven success driving adoption of new tools or processes across large organizations (2000+ employees)
  • Track record of delivering MVP-level outcomes in 4–8 weeks
  • Experience managing innovation intake funnels
  • Strong facilitation skills
  • Broad familiarity with technology landscape (martech, data platforms, AI/automation, customer experience)
  • Fluent English (mandatory), German is a plus

Tech stack

AIautomationdata intelligencemartech integrationcustomer experienceSalesforceAdobeMicrosoft

Benefits

Premium package private health insurance Globos and yearly paid regular medical check-up for employee, spouse and childrenFlexible working hours and hybrid working mode100% paid sick leave for up to 30 calendar daysFully covered certifications for technical roles in Salesforce, Adobe, Microsoft and othersFull access to Dentsu Academy global online learning platform25 days of vacation2 additional volunteering days3 extra wellness days on top of vacation daysMental Health First Aider and Employee Assistance programCompany parties, after-hour gatherings, board games and team buildingsSnacks, fruits, and sweets in the officeHouse of Benefits allowanceFit Pass special offer for employee and partner/childrenRooftop lounge with 360⁰ view over BelgradeOffice in the heart of Belgrade city centerTable tennis, video games, karaoke setReferral bonus program

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