EVP, Commercial Strategy

Acxiom•Conway, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The EVP of Global Commercial Strategy & Operations will lead Acxiom's centralized commercial authority function, with initial operational focus on the US market. This strategic role is responsible for establishing and enforcing robust commercial governance frameworks, managing commercial decision-making, preventing revenue leakage, and ensuring all commercial activities align with Acxiom's revenue and strategic objectives. The EVP will build and lead a high-performing team while establishing scalable best practices for potential expansion to international markets.

Requirements

Minimum 10 years of commercial management, deal management, or commercial strategy experience in B2B or technology environments
Proven experience building and leading cross-functional teams with demonstrated ability to enforce governance frameworks
Deep understanding of commercial models, pricing strategies, and revenue recognition with strong financial acumen and P&L management experience
Expert commercial judgment with ability to challenge assumptions and make sound decisions independently
Exceptional communication and influencing skills at executive level with demonstrated ability to work in matrix organizations
Understanding of legal, compliance, and risk management considerations in commercial decisions

Nice To Haves

Experience in data, technology, or professional services industries; background in agency or partnership management
Experience establishing or scaling governance frameworks across organizations; knowledge of commercial systems
Multi-market or international commercial management experience; track record with commercial process standardization and optimization

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary commercial authority for all commercial questions relating to Acxiom data and services, making decisions within established approval thresholds and escalating high-impact matters to executive leadership
Design, develop, and implement commercial models, pricing frameworks, discount matrices, and revenue recognition structures that balance client incentivization with Acxiom's revenue objectives
Provide expert commercial judgment, challenge assumptions, and act as an impartial arbiter for commercial disputes
Take ownership of all commercial control systems and consolidate into a unified system; implement automation to reduce approval cycles
Establish a unified commercial management system as the single source of truth for all Acxiom Direct and Omnicom Agency commercial requests
Coordinate with Legal and Compliance teams to validate all commercial terms align with organizational policies
Work proactively with Finance leadership across Omnicom to establish clear protocols around Acxiom data commercials
Identify and prevent revenue leakage across all commercial channels through monthly reviews and comprehensive tracking
Build and lead a high-performing Commercial Finance & Operations team; as first priority, identify existing talent across the organization (Finance, Sales Support, Product Strategy, Data Partnerships) who should transition into the function based on commercial expertise and deal structuring knowledge
Develop team members' commercial and leadership capabilities; foster a culture of disciplined commercial decision-making
Serve as primary liaison between commercial stakeholders and Acxiom leadership; facilitate coordination with Finance, Sales, Legal, Compliance, Data/Partnerships, and Solution Strategy
Conduct informational sessions to educate stakeholders on governance frameworks, commercial processes, and compliance requirements
Ensure all commercial inquiries and outcomes are tracked within the unified system; analyze trends to inform policy adjustments
Provide monthly reporting to ELT on commercial activity, trends, policy effectiveness, and revenue impact
Develop and articulate compelling commercial propositions positioning Acxiom data as the preferred, economically advantageous choice
Develop commercial governance best practices applicable to international markets; serve as consultative resource to international business leaders on governance approaches
Position the function as a center of excellence for commercial governance best practices globally