Vertical Strategist, Retail/QSR

Yahoo Holdings Inc.; Reston (VA); Hybrid; USD 123,000 - 256,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

401k

Education stipends

Job summary

Yahoo Holdings Inc. is seeking a Vertical Strategist (Retail/QSR) for Yahoo Ads to develop category-specific advertising solutions across our brands.

You will bring expertise in retail seasonal cycles, shopper marketing, local foot traffic drivers, and QSR promo strategies to the Sales team, crafting tailored audience-first proposals and advertiser narratives. The role blends creative storytelling with data-driven retail and QSR strategy, requiring a vocal leader, analytical thinker, and

Qualifications

• 5–7 years in digital media, advertising strategy or agency planning with Retail/E‑commerce/QSR focus.
• Strong understanding of retail advertising, shopper marketing networks and omnichannel strategies.
• Experience using generative AI to automate workflows, brainstorm pitches and extract insights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with ability to present data-backed recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead RFP responses and tailor advertising solutions for Retail and QSR accounts.
• Develop audience-led narratives leveraging Yahoo's data, AI tools, and scale.
• Collaborate with Sales, creative studios and product to package solutions.
• Balance storytelling with data and guide on AI-assisted pitch workflows.

Skills

Digital media

Advertising strategy

Agency planning

Generative AI tools

Data literacy

Presentation skills

Tools

AI tools

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 Ads Commercial Strategy team bridges client-facing sales teams, omnichannel media solutions, and proprietary commerce data to drive top-tier advertising performance. We develop industry-leading vertical narratives and high-impact media solutions that demonstrate the power of Yahoo's ecosystem for premier Retail and QSR brands.

About the Role

As a Vertical Strategist (Retail/QSR) for Yahoo Ads, you will develop category-specific advertising solutions across all of our iconic brands. Bringing deep expertise in retail seasonal cycles, shopper marketing, local foot traffic drivers, and QSR promotional strategies directly to the Sales team, you will author tailored, audience-first proposals and advertiser narratives. You will bridge sales teams, publishing properties, commerce data, and consumer insights to show Retail and QSR advertisers exactly how Yahoo's scale and media solutions drive foot traffic, online conversions, and sales. This role blends creative storytelling with data-driven retail and QSR strategy. The ideal candidate is a vocal leader, analytical thinker, and creative problem solver who can easily translate commerce and location data into persuasive client pitches.

Key Responsibilities

Proposal Strategy & Narrative Development

• Lead RFP Responses: Create tailored responses to retail and QSR RFPs, simplifying complex omnichannel, retail media, and promo campaign options into clear, customized advertising solutions, leveraging AI-powered RFP automation and workflows to streamline administrative tasks and speed up proposal turnaround.
• Build Audience-Led Narratives: Focus on holistic, shopper-driven stories that leverage Yahoo's scale, search intent, and commerce data insights over isolated product pitches, utilizing AI tools for rapid insight generation and category data synthesis.
• Craft Clear Copy: Write persuasive materials that highlight Yahoo's retail media and QSR benefits without relying on dense industry jargon.
• Strategize & Brainstorm: Collaborate with cross-functional partners using AI tools to brainstorm innovative pitch concepts, pressure-test angles, and validate strategic recommendations for client presentations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Sales: Collaborate with sales leads and account directors to plan strategic outreach for key retail, QSR, and e-commerce accounts.
• Align on Strategy: Join client kickoff calls to ensure cross-property media and content strategies align from the start of an RFP.
• Package Solutions: Work with creative studios, product, and yield teams to include mockups and data packages that demonstrate campaign value.
• Leverage Editorial & Events: Coordinate with content and editorial teams to turn key shopping moments (e.g., Black Friday, key QSR menu drops) into advertiser opportunities.

Project Management & Execution

• Manage Timelines: Balance multiple, fast-paced RFP timelines simultaneously, using internal tracking tools to prioritize high-value business.
• Collaborate Early: Share draft materials early to support an iterative review culture and ensure high-quality final submissions.
• Balance Story & Data: Combine strong storytelling with data to build a compelling case for Yahoo's solutions in all marketing and sales materials, continually identifying opportunities to integrate AI-assisted workflows into recurring pitch preparation.

Basic Qualifications

• 5-7 years in digital media, advertising strategy, or agency planning with specific experience in Retail, E-Commerce, or QSR verticals.
• Deep understanding of retail advertising, shopper marketing networks, location-based QSR targeting, and omnichannel digital strategies.
• Hands‑on experience or comfort utilizing generative AI tools to automate workflows, accelerate RFP tasks, brainstorm pitch strategies, and extract data insights.
• Strong data literacy with the ability to use shopper insights, location/foot‑traffic data, and search intent to build clear, data‑backed strategic recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience organizing complex information into clean presentation decks.
• A collaborative, client-focused approach with the ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and adapt to changing workflows.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience growing revenue via shopper marketing, co‑op retail media, or performance media campaigns.
• Experience building reusable proposal frameworks, pitch templates, or structured AI prompts for sales enablement.

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. Your recruiter will let you know if a specific job requires regular attendance at a Yahoo office or facility. If you have any questions about how this applies to the role, just ask the recruiter!

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 $122,625.00 - $255,625.00/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.