Job Description:
The Head of Capacity Planning is responsible for leading the strategic and operational planning of resources, ensuring alignment between demand forecasts and the organization’s capabilities. This role oversees the development of scalable models, products/tools, and processes to optimize workforce, infrastructure, and production capacity across the business.
The Head of Capacity Planning will run the executive Capacity Planning meeting and process – working with leads and teams from Growth, Resource Management (RM), Human Resources and Talent Acquisition to determine what is coming down the pike and what is important to discuss. This includes pitches, current work, projects with health concerns, and expansions. They will also be focused on the success of large cross-Merkle projects.
Capacity Planning analyzes current capacity and future needs and improves collaboration and communication among our teams. The Head of Capacity Planning sets the stage for our resource management practice.
The Head of Capacity Planning will have the Resource Management team reporting into them. Candidates must be based in the Eastern or Central Time Zones for team collaboration and operational alignment.
Key Responsibilities:

Capacity Planning Strategy, Meeting Lead and Process

• Partnering with Executives to determine most important projects to discuss at each meeting.
• Setting and understanding KPI’s to review and the cycle in which to review them. As an example, how often to review shoring, level pyramid, etc..

Strategic Partner to the Business

• Each Sub Practice should look to Capacity Planning and the RM team to solve their short term needs AND long term aspirations.
• RM’s should look to cast our employees in the right role vs just filling an open role with a title. This means that we should look at the employee’s experience, skillset, career goals and relationship with the client or team among other things.
• Attend Sub Practice operational meetings, know the players on the team and understand what’s needed to deliver on their goals and clients.
• Partner with senior leadership in Sales, Delivery, Resource Management, Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, Operations and Finance to develop integrated capacity plans.
• In large projects, we should focus on having our RM’s be billable.

Leadership

• Lead the RM team and set long-term strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Translate business objectives into actionable capacity requirements.
• Drive RM team to meet KPI’s, and report cadence to measure against them.
• Create high functioning and strategic RM team.

Capacity Forecasting & Modeling

• Develop and refine forecasting models based on historical trends, business growth projections, and seasonal variations to ensure we can staff appropriately.
• Analyze resource utilization and make recommendations for scaling capacity efficiently based on meeting future demands based on a long-term view.
• Create a cadence of reporting and measurements for the team at large and within each Sub Practice.

Operational Planning

• Align operational execution with capacity planning to ensure timely and cost-effective resource availability.
• Create contingency strategies to address under- or over-utilization risks.
• Monitor KPIs to track performance against capacity goals and SLAs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with HR, TA, Finance and Sub Practice Leadership on reporting and strategic planning.
• Heavy partnership with Project Management group, as they are the ‘input’ to our ‘output’.
• Lead monthly/quarterly planning reviews and ensure data-driven decision-making.

Technology & Process Improvement

• Implement and manage capacity planning tools and systems.
• Drive continuous improvement in planning processes, leveraging data analytics and automation where possible.
• Work with Product Owners of current tools for constant optimization.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field; MBA or equivalent preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in capacity planning, demand forecasting, or operations strategy.
• Proven executive presence and leadership experience managing cross-functional teams and large-scale planning processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; proficiency in tools like Excel, SQL, and planning software (e.g., Anaplan, SAP IBP, Oracle).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in large agency setting.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and vision
• Data-driven decision-making
• Organizational agility and change management experience
• Strong financial acumen
• Exceptional executive presence

The annual base salary range for this position is $136,000-219,650. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law. Additionally, this position is eligible for discretionary incentive compensation.

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, and
• 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 more information 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.
Location:
Chicago - N. State
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.
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Please refer the Job description for details