Director of Vertical Strategy

Yahoo Holdings Inc.; Champaign (IL); Hybrid; USD 163,000 - 355,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

401(k)

Backup childcare

Education stipends

Job summary

Yahoo Holdings Inc. is seeking a Director of Vertical Strategy to lead a team of industry-focused strategists developing client-centric advertising solutions across key verticals.

You will drive strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and revenue growth through innovative GTM plays and bespoke sponsorships. You will partner with Sales, Editorial, Product, and Yield teams to refine ad formats, pricing, and inventory packaging while leveraging first-party data and market intelligence

Qualifications

• 10+ years in sales strategy, brand strategy, media planning, or category strategy within a digital media, publisher, or agency environment.
• 6+ years of experience leading and managing teams, with a proven track record of developing talent and driving team performance.
• Deep vertical knowledge across core advertising sectors (Tech, Finance, Retail, Automotive, CPG, Entertainment, Travel).
• Proven track record of partnering with enterprise ad sales teams to achieve revenue targets through creative brand solutions and GTM playbooks.

Responsibilities

• Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of Vertical Strategists with a culture of accountability and strategic excellence.
• Set and execute the vertical strategy roadmap, aligning category-specific sales solutions with revenue targets.
• Develop vertical-specific GTM packages, category playbooks, and tentpole sponsorships.
• Identify growth opportunities and translate market trends into scalable ad products and content solutions.
• Collaborate with Sales leadership to build category narratives and multi-market revenue acceleration plans.
• Oversee creation of high-impact pitch narratives and client responses to RFPs.

Skills

Market analysis

Stakeholder management

Strategy leadership

C-suite communication

Tools

First-party data platforms

Job description

Yahoo serves as a trusted guide for hundreds of millions of people globally, helping them achieve their goals online through our portfolio of iconic products. For advertisers, Yahoo Advertising offers omnichannel solutions and powerful data to engage with our brands and deliver results.

A Little About Us

The Yahoo Vertical Strategy team acts as the strategic engine for our global advertising sales organization. We bridge market intelligence, Yahoo's premium content ecosystem, and ad-tech capabilities to architect high-impact, industry-tailored go-to-market solutions. Our team partners directly with senior enterprise sales leaders and top-tier brand advertisers to translate macro market trends into scalable, revenue-generating partnerships across Yahoo's core verticals.

Advertising strategy is central to how we support our brand partners, connecting them with audiences across our iconic properties in high-impact ways.

About the Role

The Director, Vertical Strategy will lead and inspire a team of industry-focused strategists responsible for developing innovative, client-centric advertising and go-to-market solutions across Yahoo's core industry verticals. This role combines strategic leadership, category expertise, operational rigor, and deep cross-functional collaboration to create industry-tailored media, sponsorship, and content programs that meet advertiser objectives and drive sustainable revenue growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Team Development

• Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of Vertical Strategists, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and strategic excellence.
• Set and execute the vertical strategy roadmap, aligning category-specific sales solutions with overall revenue targets and broader corporate goals.
• Serve as a senior category advisor to internal sales leadership and key client decision-makers, providing deep expertise on market dynamics and brand opportunities within key industry verticals.

Vertical Product & GTM Strategy

• Develop vertical-specific GTM packages, category playbooks, and tentpole sponsorship offerings that address the unique marketing challenges of key industries.
• Identify category growth opportunities and whitespace, translating market trends into scalable revenue-generating ad products and content solutions.
• Partner with Sales leadership to build proactive category narratives, top-tier account strategies, and multi-market revenue acceleration plans.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Cultivate strong partnerships with key internal stakeholders, including Vertical Sales Leaders, Account Management, Ad Operations, Editorial, and Product/Tech teams.
• Act as the primary liaison between Publishers and Sales for vertical-specific content series, custom sponsorships, and editorial integrations.
• Collaborate with Product and Yield teams to refine category ad formats, pricing structures, and inventory packaging for optimal monetization.
• Support the Agency Sales Team in upfront sales efforts by providing category-specific expertise and strategic partnership.

Brand Storytelling & Insights

• Oversee the creation of high-impact pitch narratives, category positioning decks, and bespoke client responses to RFPs.
• Leverage first-party data and market intelligence to uncover deep consumer insights and demonstrate ROI for category advertisers.
• Drive client discovery workshops and strategy sessions, building trust and credibility with C-level client and agency leaders.

Qualifications:

Experience & Expertise:

• 10+ years of experience in sales strategy, brand strategy, media planning, or category strategy within a digital media, publisher, or agency environment.
• 6+ years of experience leading and managing teams, with a proven track record of developing talent and driving team performance.
• Deep vertical knowledge across core advertising sectors (e.g., Tech, Finance, Retail, Automotive, CPG, Entertainment, or Travel).
• Proven track record of partnering with enterprise ad sales teams to achieve ambitious revenue targets through creative brand solutions and GTM playbooks.

Skills & Competencies:

• Ability to analyze market trends, synthesize complex audience data, and translate industry insights into actionable GTM strategies.
• Exceptional presentation, narrative, and relationship-building skills with internal executive leaders and C-suite client prospects.
• Proficiency in utilizing first-party data platforms, syndicated research, and performance analytics to validate strategic recommendations.
• Strong passion for pushing beyond standard display/video offerings to build immersive, integrated ad experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and drive alignment across matrixed organizations.

The material job duties and responsibilities of this role include those listed above as well as adhering to Yahoo policies ; exercising sound judgment ; working effectively, safely and inclusively with others ; exhibiting trustworthiness and meeting expectations ; and safeguarding business operations and brand integrity.

At Yahoo, we offer flexible hybrid work options that our employees love! While most roles don't require regular office attendance, you may occasionally be asked to attend in-person events or team sessions. You'll always get notice to make arrangements.

Yahoo is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against based on age, race, gender, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected category. Yahoo will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law.

Yahoo is dedicated to providing an accessible environment for all candidates during the application process and for employees during their employment. If you need accessibility assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please submit a request via the Accommodation Request Form ( www.yahooinc.com/careers/contact-us.html ) or call +1.866.772.3182 . Requests and calls received for non-disability related issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.

We believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace strengthens Yahoo and deepens our relationships. When you support everyone to be their best selves, they spark discovery, innovation and creativity. Among other efforts, our 11 employee resource groups (ERGs) enhance a culture of belonging with programs, events and fellowship that help educate, support and create a workplace where all feel welcome.

The compensation for this position ranges from $163,155.00 - $354,965.00/yr and will vary depending on factors such as your location, skills and experience. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of discretionary annual bonus or commissions. Our comprehensive benefits include healthcare, a great 401k, backup childcare, education stipends and much (much) more.