Director, Retail Media

Director, Retail Media | Careers | VML

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Director, Retail Media

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Director, Retail Media

Brand: VML

Capability: Connections

Location: Kansas City, MO, United States

Last Updated: ${ new Date('2026-04-16T18:29:53-04:00').toLocaleDateString() }

Requisition ID: 15524

Who We Are

VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth.

VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization.

In addition, VML's specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world's largest and most awarded health agencies. VML's global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands.

We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company - powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

Who We Are Looking For

The Director is responsible for leading the day-to-day retail media strategy and buying across key agency clients. The Director is both the primary client contact and the leader responsible for holding the media team accountable for delivering strong performance against KPIs like ROAS, sales lift, and market share.

The Director will bring the latest trends in Retail Media Network (RMN) strategy and thought leadership, including advancements in closed-loop measurement, and artificial intelligence to their accounts and team members to drive innovation. This role reports to the Group Director.

What You'll Do

• Act as the retail media strategy lead on 3-5 key client accounts, serving as the senior point of contact for all retail media initiatives.
• Grow and develop team members by providing regular, actionable, and motivating feedback that supports strengths and identifies areas for growth.
• Lead oversight of all aspects of retail media investment, including budget pacing and management, performance reporting, and financial reconciliation.
• Oversee retail media activation strategy, including campaign structure, keyword strategy, bidding optimization, and a rigorous test-and-learn agenda across sponsored search, display, and DSP placements.
• Manage full-funnel campaigns on key RMNs (e.g., Amazon Ads, Walmart Connect, Instacart) to achieve KPI targets.
• Present directly to clients, gaining their trust by telling a concise and compelling story around retail media performance, insights, and strategic recommendations.
• Partner with integrated account teams to connect retail media strategy with broader commerce objectives, including digital shelf optimization, inventory planning, and promotions.
• Provide thought leadership to the agency and clients to educate and inspire innovation in the rapidly evolving retail media space.
• Institute rigor for test-and-learn capabilities across RMNs, ad formats, and audience tactics to drive continuous improvement.
• Stay at the forefront of the retail media landscape, presenting new RMNs, ad products, and measurement solutions to help clients achieve their objectives.

Who You Are

• An empathetic leader who builds trust with clients and fosters a supportive, growth-oriented environment for team members.
• A strategic and analytical thinker who leverages data, curiosity, and consumer insights to solve complex challenges and optimize campaign performance.
• A forward-thinking innovator comfortable with ambiguity, ready to champion new retail media trends, test-and-learn approaches, and bold strategies.

What You'll Need

• 8+ years of experience in digital media, with at least 5 years focused specifically on retail media planning and activation within an agency or brand.
• Minimum 3 years of direct management experience.
• Expert understanding of the retail media ecosystem, including major RMNs (Amazon Ads, Walmart Connect, etc.), their ad products (Sponsored Products, Brands, Display, DSP), and unique measurement capabilities.
• Proficiency with retail media management and optimization platforms (e.g., Pacvue, Skai, Perpetua).
• Strong analytical skills with a proven ability to interpret campaign data, leverage first-party retailer insights, and translate performance into actionable strategic recommendations.
• Expert presentation skills with the ability to articulate a compelling story to senior-level clients.
• Ability to be hands-on when needed, especially in relation to problem-solving and generating business solutions.
• Experience understanding the intersection of business strategy, consumer insights, and digital shopper behavior in grounding ideas.
• Powerful communication and presentation skills; technically and creatively proficient in presentation planning and development.

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, click WPP Benefits for more details.

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$75,000-$180,000 USD

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit  www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice.

This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

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Skills

Analysis Skills, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Bidding, Budget Management, Business Solutions, Business Strategy, Business-to-Business (B2B), Campaigns, Communication Skills, Consulting, Consumer Branding, Content Providers, Continuous Improvement, Customer Experience, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems, Customer/Client Research, Dell Computers, Digital Media, Ecosystems, Enterprise Marketing, Fast Food, International Marketing, Inventory Planning, Market Share, Marketing, Media Buying and Planning, Media Placement, Microsoft Product Family, New Media, Newsletter, Online Marketing, Performance Analysis, Performance Metrics, Performance Tuning/Optimization, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Promotional Programs, Reconciliation, Retail, Retail Management, Retail Strategy, Sales, Social Media, Strategic Analysis, Thought Leadership, VML (Vector Markup Language)

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