MERGE

Merge Storytelling and Technology

We bring together the minds and passions of creative pioneers, tech innovators, and data explorers to help ambitious clients solve business challenges and rise to the top. MERGE has enduring client partnerships with American Express, T-Mobile, LG, Subway, Kate Spade NY, Coach, The North Face, Meta, Adobe, BlueCross BlueShield, Abbott, Astellas, Supernus, CSL, GE Healthcare, Broward Health, Indiana University Health, Nationwide, and Morgan Stanley. With offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, Montreal, New York City and Los Angeles. MERGE uses a talent-to-task process that enables clients to think higher and feel deeper about their customers.

Promote Health, Wellness & Happiness

We are committed to promoting health, wellness and happiness in the world by partnering with purpose-driven clients in purpose-driven industries in healthcare, life science, and consumer products. Our deep vertical expertise and category insights stem from decade-long partnerships with our top clients.

Emerge to the Top of Your Career

At MERGE, we strive to create a superior work experience where talented and ambitious people grow. An experience that encourages people to think higher and feel deeper. An experience where people engage their minds and hearts to do the best work of their careers.

As our SVP, Integrated Casting, you will...

Helm our innovative Casting department. MERGE is a premier marketing and technology agency dedicated to helping brands connect with people in meaningful ways. We believe our people are our most valuable asset, and our "Casting" department is at the heart of strategically managing this talent. We foster a collaborative and innovative environment where smart, passionate individuals can thrive. "Casting" is not about external actors; it's the critical function of strategically managing our most valuable asset – our people. The core purpose of this department is to ensure the right talent with the right skills are assigned to the right projects at the right time. This leadership role is pivotal in maximizing utilization, supporting project success, enabling employee growth, and contributing directly to overall agency profitability and efficiency. Join our dynamic team and play a pivotal role in shaping our success and the success of our clients.

Why is this "Casting" function crucial for MERGE? This role is essential for driving:

• Increased operational efficiency: Streamlining how we deploy our talent.
• Improved project margins: Ensuring projects are staffed for profitability.
• Reduced staffing friction and delays: Proactively managing resource allocation.
• Better workload balancing: Leading to higher employee retention and satisfaction.
• Enhanced client satisfaction: Through appropriate and timely project staffing.
• Informed strategic planning: Providing data-driven insights for growth and development.

The ideal candidate will be a master of resource optimization, an adept forecaster of talent needs, and a collaborative leader who can effectively partner across all departments. You will be responsible for building and refining the systems, processes, and relationships that ensure our talent is deployed effectively to meet both client demands and employee development goals.

Be Accountable and Responsible

• Strategic Resource Management & Optimization:
  • Optimize Utilization: Lead initiatives to maximize billable hours across the agency while meticulously balancing workloads to prevent burnout and create space for professional development
  • Improve Profitability: Ensure projects are staffed appropriately according to budget and margin targets, working closely with Finance and Client Services
  • Develop and implement sophisticated resource management strategies that align with MERGE’s business objectives, financial goals, and commitment to employee growth
• Forecasting & Capacity Planning:
  • Accurate Forecasting: Design and manage processes to accurately predict resource needs (demand) based on sales pipeline, project roadmaps, and client forecasts. Anticipate and plan for capacity constraints or surpluses (supply)
  • Provide leadership with clear insights into current and future staffing needs, highlighting potential gaps or excesses
• Talent Allocation & Development:
  • Skills-Based Allocation: Oversee the matching of project requirements with employee skills, experience levels, and competencies. Champion the maintenance and utilization of a comprehensive skills inventory
  • Support Employee Growth: Where feasible, consider individual career goals, development needs, and aspirations when making staffing decisions, partnering with Talent
• Operational Excellence & Data-Driven Decisions:
  • Conflict Resolution: Proactively identify, mediate, and resolve scheduling conflicts and resource bottlenecks between competing projects or client needs, ensuring fair and effective solutions
  • Data-Driven Decisions: Provide and interpret accurate data, dashboards, and insights on utilization, capacity, forecasting accuracy, and skills deployment. Use this data to inform strategic staffing decisions, hiring priorities, and business development efforts
  • Lead the continuous improvement of casting/resource management tools, technologies, and processes
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership:
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a central, highly visible hub, liaising effectively and building strong partnerships with Client Services, Project Management, Creative, Strategy, Technology, Media, Data & Analytics, Finance, and Talent/HR teams
  • Lead, mentor, and develop the Casting team, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and proactive problem-solving
  • Communicate complex resource information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including executive leadership

These are the qualifications we're looking for

• • Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in resource management, workforce planning, talent operations, or a similar strategic staffing role, preferably within an agency (advertising, marketing, consulting, tech services) or professional services environment
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field is preferred, or equivalent professional experience. MBA or relevant Master's degree is a plus
  • Proven track record of successfully developing and implementing resource management strategies that have demonstrated improved utilization, efficiency, and profitability
  • Significant experience leading and mentoring teams responsible for resource allocation and planning
  • Deep understanding of resource management principles, utilization metrics, forecasting methodologies, and capacity planning
  • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and make data-driven decisions
  • Strong financial acumen and understanding of how resource management impacts project profitability and overall agency financial health
  • Expertise in using resource management software/tools (e.g., Kantata, Forecast, Workfront, NetSuite OpenAir, or similar)
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic agency environment with competing priorities
  • Strong leadership skills with an emphasis on collaboration, transparency, and employee development
  • A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability

#LI-VM1

#LI-HYBRID

At MERGE, we’re committed to fostering an environment where our team members can thrive in both their careers and personal lives, ensuring they feel supported and empowered to succeed.

MERGE believes in transparency and equity. In accordance with state regulations, we’re proud to include salary ranges in our job postings to ensure fair compensation practices.

The salary range for this role is $180,000-$216,950, based on the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, location, and other relevant factors. The salary pay range is subject to change and may be modified at any time.

MERGE is proud to invest in benefits that include meaningful Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401K, Lifestyle Spending Account, Employer Paid Life & Disability Insurance, Flexible Time off & Holidays plus many other benefits and rewards.

Applicants for employment in the US must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.

And here’s how we live our values at MERGE

• Ability. Mastering our craft
• Agility. Delivering with a growth mindset
• Humility. Collaborating for shared success

MERGE is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

MERGE welcomes and celebrates diversity regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status or people with abilities. We believe that the more diverse we are, the more creative our work will be!