Associate Director, Commerce

Publicis Groupe; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 107,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401(k) matching

Wellness programs

Work Your World program

Matching Gifts

Job summary

Starcom is seeking an Associate Director, Commerce to lead cross-channel Paid Search and Display initiatives with a focus on retail media. The role demands independent leadership, strategic guidance for client conversations, and hands-on platform execution when required.

The ideal candidate will bring strong team leadership and deep Commerce media expertise, supporting a varied client portfolio across industries.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred.
• 5+ years of related experience.
• 2+ years of team management experience.
• Deep expertise with Amazon Ads, Amazon DSP, and Chewy media platforms.
• Commerce media buying and planning experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of integrated Search and Display media strategies, with the majority of the investment focused on Paid Search.
• Act as a subject matter expert across retail media platforms, with deep expertise in Amazon Ads and Chewy advertising solutions.
• Drive campaign performance through strategic optimizations, budget management, forecasting, and reporting.
• Provide leadership and direction to Search, DSP, and Analyst team members while ensuring high-quality execution across all campaigns.
• Partner with internal cross-functional teams to align media strategies with broader client business objectives.
• Serve as the primary client-facing lead, confidently presenting recommendations, performance insights, and strategic opportunities.
• Own campaign performance reviews, identifying growth opportunities and translating data into actionable recommendations.
• Maintain a hands-on understanding of campaign activation and optimization, stepping into platform management when business needs require.
• Oversee process development and execution management.
• Assures quality control of all media planning and implementation.
• Implement planning process for the assigned accounts and holistic media planning across paid and display platforms and initiatives
• Coordinate efforts across different digital media channels to drive optimized recommendations.
• Continuously evaluate and improve upon all digital media opportunities.
• Embrace and encourage a culture based on teamwork, collaboration, and intellectual curiosity.
• Motivate, lead, and manage internal teams, working collaboratively to drive programs that meet our clients’ performance and business objectives.
• Drive adoption of stated account management best practices through example setting positive reinforcement and behavioral correction.
• Conduct performance reviews and career path plans.
• Provide training to direct reports as needed.
• Facilitate the development and documentation of best practices for improving operational efficiencies within the team and the group

Skills

Team leadership

Client management

Strategic recommendations

Independent work

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Tools

Amazon Ads

Amazon DSP

Chewy media

Job description

Company description

Starcom is the world's first standalone media agency, a storied innovator that continues to lead the way for many of the world's best brands.

Starcom has long been the professional birthplace and proving ground for marketing leaders – CEOs, CMOs, sales leaders, and technology pioneers – and we continue to drive the industry with peerless talent and relentless innovation.

From the start, we've known that achieving growth for our clients requires understanding and connecting with real people where they live and work, in ways they value.

In an AI era, we remain ""Guided By Humanity,"" a phrase that describes our foundational belief that human expertise must remain in the driver's seat, supported by the best processes and technology.

With our proprietary capabilities and Publicis Media's industry‑leading resources and clout, we create ideas that move people and drive transformative business outcomes for brands.

Overview

The Associate Director, Commerce will serve as a strategic lead across Paid Search and Display media, with a strong emphasis on retail media and marketplace advertising. This role requires a highly independent, self‑motivated leader who can confidently guide client conversations, drive strategy, and oversee campaign performance while remaining comfortable being hands‑on in platform execution when needed.

The ideal candidate will bring strong team leadership experience and deep expertise in Commerce media. Our Commerce team supports a diverse portfolio of clients across multiple industries, including some of the agency's largest and most dynamic accounts. We are seeking a motivated and strategic leader who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and is eager to immerse themselves in a variety of high‑impact initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of integrated Search and Display media strategies, with the majority of the investment focused on Paid Search
• Act as a subject matter expert across retail media platforms, with deep expertise in Amazon Ads and Chewy advertising solutions
• Drive campaign performance through strategic optimizations, budget management, forecasting, and reporting
• Provide leadership and direction to Search, DSP, and Analyst team members while ensuring high‑quality execution across all campaigns
• Partner with internal cross‑functional teams to align media strategies with broader client business objectives
• Serve as the primary client‑facing lead, confidently presenting recommendations, performance insights, and strategic opportunities
• Own campaign performance reviews, identifying growth opportunities and translating data into actionable recommendations
• Maintain a hands‑on understanding of campaign activation and optimization, stepping into platform management when business needs require
• Oversee process development and execution management
• Assures quality control of all media planning and implementation
• Implement planning process for the assigned accounts and holistic media planning across paid and display platforms and initiatives
• Coordinate efforts across different digital media channels to drive optimized recommendations
• Continuously evaluate and improve upon all digital media opportunities
• Embrace and encourage a culture based on team work, collaboration, and intellectual curiosity
• Motivate, lead, and manage internal teams, working collaboratively to drive programs that meet our clients’ performance and business objectives
• Drive adoption of stated account management best practices through example setting positive reinforcement and behavioral correction
• Conduct performance reviews and career path plans
• Provide training to direct reports as needed
• Facilitate the development and documentation of best practices for improving operational efficiencies within the team and the group

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred, preferably in marketing, advertising, business, engineering, engineering, statistics, economics, sociology, or equivalent
• 5+ years of related experience
• 2+ years of team management experience
• Deep expertise with Amazon Ads, Amazon DSP, and Chewy media platforms
• Confident, proactive, and comfortable making strategic recommendations and decisions
• Commerce media buying and planning experienceis required
• Strong client management and presentation skills with the ability to lead conversations independently
• Experience managing teams and mentoring practitioners while balancing strategic leadership with occasional hands‑on execution
• Self‑starter mindset with the ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, client‑facing environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse groups
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Exceland PowerPoint as well as other equivalent programs and as appropriate specific industry tools and technology
• A proven ability to multi‑task and manage multipleprojects effectively and work well under pressure to deliver high‑qualitywork within tight deadlines
• Exceptional critical thinking and problem‑solvingabilities with the ability to think unconventionally in proposing solutions

Additional information

Starcom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law, genetic information, marital status, military service and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

The Power of One starts with our people! To do powerful things, we offer powerful resources. Our best‑in‑class wellness and benefits offerings include:

• Paid Family Care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or more
• Monetary assistance and support for Adoption, Surrogacy and Fertility
• Monetary assistance and support for pet adoption
• Employee Assistance Programs and Health/Wellness/Comfort reimbursements to help you invest in your future and work/life balance
• Tuition Assistance
• Paid time off that includes Flexible Time off Vacation, Annual Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday and Identity days, and more
• Matching Gifts programs
• Flexible working arrangements
• 'Work Your World’ Program encouraging employees to work from anywhere Publicis Groupe has an office for up to 6 weeks a year (based upon eligibility)
• Business Resource Groups that support multiple affinities and alliances

The benefits offerings listed are available to U.S. based employees, are reviewed on an annual basis, and are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact [e-mail].

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation Range: USD $106,780.00 - USD $153,405.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third‑party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 12/7/2026.