Director, Commerce Programmatic

WPP Media•Chicago, NY

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Commerce Programmatic uses retail expertise to lead tactical activation of programmatic media and integrate performance-led retail media efforts into a holistic commerce strategy. The role leads audience and creative strategy, competitive research, campaign setup and management, and reporting for programmatic media buys across retailer media networks and DSPs, including Amazon, CitrusAd, Criteo, The Trade Desk, and Walmart. It requires understanding platform offerings across self-serve and managed-service buys and working directly with retail media networks in partnership with clients. The Director manages and develops direct reports, oversees campaign execution and optimization, and collaborates with agency teams, clients, and commerce partners to achieve client business objectives. The role also leads cross-channel testing, process improvements, thought leadership, and adoption of GroupM Commerce capabilities across new and existing accounts. Success requires an entrepreneurial, action-oriented approach and the ability to synthesize data and market developments into recommendations that improve business results and customer experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Communications, or Advertising, or equivalent professional work experience.
7+ years of experience in biddable performance media execution or paid ecommerce.
Experience managing a team of direct reports.
Experience with Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Deep understanding of retail commercial elements such as profit margin, inventory levels, forecasting, and demand planning, and how they inform media decisions.
Deep understanding of how media channels work together and how retail media fits into the wider ecosystem.
Experience in campaign management and optimization across multiple retail platforms.
Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external partners.
Self-starter attitude and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent project-management skills, including coordinating projects across multiple teams and functions.

Nice To Haves

Strong preference for retail media programmatic execution experience.
Experience with retail bid management platforms such as Pacvue or Skai.

Responsibilities

Manage a team of direct reports and support their career development.
Oversee programmatic media activations across retailer media networks and DSPs, including Amazon, CitrusAd, Criteo, The Trade Desk, and Walmart.
Execute campaign setup, bid recommendations, and budgeting to attain client goals, using retail bid management technologies where applicable.
Partner with agency and client teams to navigate the Commerce activation landscape.
Use GroupM Commerce capabilities to deliver solutions aligned with client business objectives.
Identify process improvements that help teams work more effectively with one another and with clients.
Lead cross-channel testing and optimization strategies.
Develop frameworks, case studies, training, and other content to improve biddable Commerce media buying.
Manage relationships with priority Commerce partners to support best-in-class biddable campaigns.
Create and deliver client presentations and thought leadership.
Stay current on changes in advertising products, technology, and measurement across programmatic partners.
Lead adoption of GroupM Commerce for new business and existing accounts.
Synthesize data, identify trends, and recommend actions to maximize business results and customer experience.