Director, Commerce Programmatic

WPP Media Limited; Chicago, New York (IL, NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

WPP Media Limited is seeking a Director, Programmatic Commerce to drive excellence in programmatic retail activations across major networks and DSPs. You will lead audience and creative strategy, manage day-to-day campaigns, and report on performance to optimize client outcomes.

You will collaborate with agency and client teams, leverage Pacvue/Skai/Epsilo, and guide the team to maximize growth for retail media investments. A strategic, fast-paced leader will thrive here.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent professional work experience.
• 7+ years in biddable performance media or paid ecommerce with retail programmatic focus.
• Experience managing a team of direct reports.
• Experience with retail bid management platforms (Pacvue/Skai).
• Experience in campaign management and optimization across multiple retail platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of direct reports and oversee their career development.
• Oversee programmatic activations across retailer networks and DSPs (Amazon, CitrusAd, Criteo, The Trade Desk, Walmart, etc.).
• Execute campaign setup, bid recommendations, and budgeting for client goals.
• Partner with agency and client teams to navigate the Commerce activation landscape.
• Utilize GroupM Commerce capabilities to deliver best-in-class solutions.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and cross-team collaboration.
• Lead cross-channel testing and optimization strategies.
• Develop frameworks, case studies, trainings, and content to elevate the team.
• Manage relationships with priority Commerce partners for top campaigns.
• Create and deliver client presentations and thought leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Communications, Advertising

Tools

Pacvue

Skai

Epsilo

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Chicago, United States; New York, United States

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 ourpioneeringagentic 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.

Role Summary & Impact

The 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.