Global Alliances Director

About VML

VML, a leading creative company, combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands and drive growth. We are celebrated for innovative and award-winning work for blue-chip clients, including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Intel, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy’s. VML is recognized by Forrester Wave™ Reports, which names WPP as a “Leader” in Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services, and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. As part of the world’s most advanced and largest creative company, VML’s global network comprises 30,000 talented people across 60+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

VML Enterprise Solutions

VML Enterprise Solutions unites our technology and data groups into a single operating unit addressing complex business challenges using the agency’s combined consulting, data, technology, and innovation capabilities.

Over 7,000 employees across VML’s key offices and local markets worldwide contribute to the Enterprise Solutions offering, meeting the increasing market demand for AI applications, technology-driven transformation, and operational efficiencies delivered through robust technology solutions.

VML Enterprise Solutions integrates deep technology services into our core practices of Brand Experience, Commerce, and Customer Experience. The offering will also be available directly to clients, providing best-in-class global scale in consulting, engineering, data, scaled automation, and platform delivery.

This comprehensive solution includes VML platform service brands such as MAP, Diff, and Satalia, a leading AI company acquired by WPP in 2021. The group also leverages tenured global partnerships with Adobe, Salesforce, Google, Microsoft, Braze, and the MACH Alliance, among others.

Who we’re looking for:

VML Enterprise Solutions is seeking a Global Alliances Director. You will be the central point of contact for VML’s strategic technology partnerships. This role is crucial for driving growth and maximizing the value of our alliances. You will develop, implement, and manage the global technology partner alliance program, focusing on strategic alignment, revenue generation, and innovation. This is a high-visibility role with a significant impact on VML’s growth trajectory.

What you’ll be doing:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive global partnership strategy for each key technology partner, including joint GTM plans, growth KPIs, strategic focus, investment plans, tracking mechanisms, marketing initiatives, enablement and certification programs, and Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs).
• Hold Partner Alliance Leads accountable for delivering on agreed-upon plans and targets.
• Optimize the co-selling motion with VML sales teams, ensuring alignment and collaboration.
• Collaborate closely with VML regional CTOs and operating companies to align partner strategies with regional capabilities and goals.
• Partner with VML Marketing and WPP Analyst Relations to support submissions to analyst reports, highlighting the value of our technology partnerships.
• Continuously evaluate partnership performance and GTM strategies, adapting approaches as needed to maximize effectiveness.
• Develop and maintain a real-time dashboard to monitor, measure, and assess the performance of each partnership.
• Provide global leadership and alignment for regionalized partnerships (e.g., Adobe, Salesforce), ensuring consistent strategy and execution across regions.
• Represent VML at relevant industry events, showcasing our alliance capabilities and thought leadership.
• Identify and evaluate potential new partners in collaboration with regional CTOs, expanding our ecosystem strategically.
• Work with WPP legal and relevant partners to structure new and existing partnership agreements.
• Manage and mentor one direct report, supporting their professional development and career progression.
• Maintain dotted-line relationships with Alliance Leads globally.

Success Criteria:

Relationship Building & Management:

• Strengthening of partner relationships (assessed through qualitative feedback, joint business planning sessions, and executive alignment).

Revenue Generation & Business Growth:

• Revenue generated through partnerships (tracking the direct financial impact of the alliance program across each partner. Based on the 2023 benchmark, the expectation is the continued growth of services delivered on partner platforms).
• Number of leads generated through partners (a benchmark needs to be created and then growth ensured year-over-year).

Strategic Alignment & Innovation:

• Business alignment (with a tracked and delivered business plan per partner, with targets achieved).
• Joint products go-to-market initiatives (a clear collaboration framework for new offerings with partners, as part of the business plan).
• The success rate of joint go-to-market initiatives (measuring the effectiveness of collaborative marketing and sales efforts).
• Expansion into new markets through partnerships (a plan to identify partnerships that drive geographic expansion).
• Contribution to thought leadership and industry recognition (measuring the impact of partnerships on brand awareness and industry standing).

What you’ll need:

• Extensive experience in alliance management, business development, or a related field within the technology or marketing industry.
• Proven track record of building and managing successful strategic partnerships, driving revenue growth and market share gains.
• Deep understanding of the technology landscape, including cloud computing, SaaS, MarTech, and emerging technologies.
• Strong business acumen and analytical skills, with the ability to develop and execute data-driven strategies.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and build consensus across different teams and organizations.
• Experience working in a global matrixed organization, navigating complex stakeholder relationships.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with the ability to motivate and develop team members.
• Experience working with global brands and agencies is highly desirable.