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Director, Commerce Programmatic

Chicago, ILOnsiteFull TimeDirector$100,000–$230,000 /yrPosted 19 days agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

  • programmatic
  • retail media
  • Amazon
  • CitrusAd
  • Criteo
  • The Trade Desk
  • Walmart
  • Pacvue
  • Skai
  • Epsilo

Nice to have

  • GroupM Commerce
  • Instacart
  • Target
  • Kroger
  • Google
  • Meta

Role summary

The Director, Programmatic Commerce will leverage retail expertise to lead programmatic media activations across various retailer networks and DSPs. This role involves developing audience and creative strategies, managing campaigns, and ensuring seamless integration with overall commerce strategy to drive best-in-class results. Key responsibilities include managing a team, executing campaign setup, bid recommendations, and budgeting, while partnering with agency and client teams. The role requires a deep understanding of retail commercial elements and media channel integration, with experience in bid management platforms and campaign optimization across multiple retail platforms. A Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required, along with 7+ years in biddable performance media or paid e-commerce, preferably in retail media programmatic execution.

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth. 

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

Role Summary & ImpactThe Director, Programmatic Commerce will utilize their retail expertise to drive excellence in tactical activation of programmatic-based activations. You will lead audience and creative strategy development, competitive research, day-to-day campaign setup, management, and reporting of programmatic media buys. They will ensure seamless integration of performance-led retail media efforts into a holistic commerce strategy, delivering best-in-class results. This role will be focused on programmatic activations across several retailer media networks and DSPs, including but not limited to Amazon, CitrusAd, Criteo, The Trade Desk, Walmart, etc. The role will require an understanding of each of the platform and DSP’s programmatic offerings – from self-serve to managed service buys. You will connect directly with the retail media networks at each of the key customers on behalf of, and in partnership with the client. You will be supporting the Director, Programmatic Commerce as we seek to maximize retail media investment for our client accounts. An entrepreneurial spirit with a bias for action and problem-solving is necessary to be successful in this role.Skills and Experience

  • Manage a team of direct reports and their career development.
  • Oversee programmatic media activations across several retailer media networks and DSPs, including but not limited to Amazon, CitrusAd, Criteo, The Trade Desk, Walmart, etc.
  • Execute campaign setup, bid recommendations, and budgeting to ensure overall client goal attainment, including the use of retail bid management technologies where applicable such as Pacvue, Skai, and Epsilo.
  • Partner with agency and client teams to help navigate the Commerce activation landscape.
  • Utilize GroupM Commerce capabilities to service and deliver best-in-class solutions that accomplish client’s business objectives.
  • Proactively identify opportunities for process improvements that can help teams work better together and with our clients.
  • Lead the incorporation of cross-channel testing and optimization strategies.
  • Assist in developing frameworks, case studies, trainings, and other content to continuously raise the bar of biddable Commerce media-buying teams.
  • Manage relationships with select priority Commerce partners to ensure development & delivery of best-in-class biddable campaigns.
  • Effectively create and deliver presentations and thought leadership to clients.
  • Stay up to date on changing marketplace dynamics surrounding ad products, technology, and measurement across programmatic partners.
  • Lead the adoption of GroupM Commerce for new business and existing accounts.
  • Synthesize key data points, identify trends, and recommend activities to maximize business results and deliver an optimal customer experience.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Communications, Advertising; OR equivalent professional work experience
  • 7+ years of experience in biddable performance media execution or paid ecommerce, with a strong preference for retail media programmatic execution.
  • Experience managing a team of direct reports.
  • Experience across the Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
  • Deep understanding of retail commercial elements such as profit margin, inventory levels, forecasting, and demand planning to inform media decisions.
  • Deep understanding of how different media channels work together and how retail media fits within the wider ecosystem.
  • Experience with retail bid management platforms, such as Pacvue or Skai.
  • Experience in campaign management and optimization across multiple retail platforms (Amazon, Instacart, Walmart, Target, Kroger, Criteo, Google, Meta, etc.).
  • Ability to collaborate and work effectively with internal teams and external partners.
  • A self-starter attitude that thrives in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent project-management skills; able to coordinate projects across multiple teams and functions.

    • Life at WPP Media & BenefitsOur passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We Create an Open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment.That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. Please note that while our philosophy is the same across WPP, benefits may vary by office/country. Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy) for more information on how we process the information you provide.

    The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, go to https://mybenefits.wpp.com/public/welcome for more details.

    US Pay Range$100,000—$230,000 USD

    Please read our Privacy Notice for more information on how we process the information you provide.

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