Senior Director, Retail Media

WHY DEPT

We are pioneers at heart. What this means is that we are always leaning forward thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today. We were born digital and we are a new model of agency with a deep skillset in tech and marketing. Thats why we hire curious self-driven talented people who never stop innovating.

Our culture is big enough to cope and small enough to care. Meaning that with people across 20 countries were big enough to provide you with the best tools global opportunities and benefits that help you thrive. While acting small by investing in you your growth your team and giving you the autonomy to solve our clients problems no matter where you are in the world.

Please note you must be located in the Greater Chicago area in order to be considered for this opportunity.

About You

Youll be the beating heart of DEPTs retail media team to one of the worlds most iconic brands in wearable technology. At DEPT we dont just fill roles we create careers. If youre ready to redefine what retail media leadership looks like wed love to meet you.

Were hiring a Senior Director Retail Media to be at the heart of the operation for one of our flagship global partnerships in the Consumer Electronics space specifically wearables. This role is perfect for someone who thrives at the intersection of commerce marketing and retail has an affinity with tech and is someone who can partner closely with a team of strategists project managers and media planners to help shape and define wearable technology.

As a senior retail media director you oversee a team of extremely passionate qualified and experienced retail (media) specialists across DSP Search Content and Retail Strategy. You are the connecting tissue between the sheer brainpower of the specialists and the strategic lead(s) on the client ensuring alignment with the clients vision. You drive strategy sales and delivery within retail with support of the project management organization across Amazon Best Buy Target Walmart and dozens of other platforms across the globe.

To achieve your goals in this role you will maintain senior-level agency relationships with the clients counterparts and consult on the best path forward to achieve tactical goals developed in relation to the client vision with the other cross-channel leads (e.g. Direct To Consumer) . Furthermore you maintain the relationship with the big US retailers and support the co-development of features functionality and reporting needs in partnership with the retailers.

You are experienced in consulting for varied clients in the digital marketing retail and ecommerce spaces and capable of driving conversations towards different capabilities within DEPTs retail media offering.

Success in this role after 12 months looks like:

• Youve built strong relationships with key client stakeholders across media e-commerce and partnerships and are seen as the go-to expert for all things retail media.
• Your team is firing on all cylinders delivering consistently excellent performance across Search DSP Content and Retail Strategy with clarity accountability and collaboration.
• Youve shaped and launched a global retail media roadmap.
• Retail media is no longer siloed youve integrated it into broader DTC and channel strategy conversations tying it directly to business impact and incrementality.
  Youre helping the client push the edge of whats possible whether through a new targeting model a custom beta with a retailer or a full-funnel approach that breaks the mold.
• Youre laying the groundwork for whats next whether thats deeper measurement expansion into new retailers or a bold POV on how wearables can win on the digital shelf.

This is more than media management; its global retail media ownership. This translates in the following key responsibilities.

Key responsibilities & Essential duties (Other duties may be assigned)

• Lead the end-to-end development and delivery of retail media programs across Search DSP Content and Retail Strategy; partnering with specialist leads to ensure executional excellence and innovation.
• Co-create and drive the global retail media roadmap for the client in close collaboration with DEPT strategists project managers and media planners.
• Act as a senior lead across all retail touchpoints ensuring seamless integration across Amazon Walmart Best Buy Target and emerging retail platforms globally.
  Translate brand and product strategy into retail media activation plans that drive measurable outcomes especially in consideration and conversion.
• Own the relationship with retail media networks advocating for beta access strategic visibility and joint innovation efforts (e.g. new functionality or measurement models).
• Lead the integration of retail media data and insights into broader marketing and performance strategies tying channel activity to business impact.
• Work closely with client stakeholders across media retail e-commerce and partnerships to align on budgets KPIs and evolving retail requirements.
• Define performance targets across retail channels and lead reporting that connects channel execution with business growth and profitability.
• Be the strategic voice for retail within the cross-functional team advocating for its role in shaping category leadership.
• Own and nurture senior-level client relationships; become a trusted partner that is not just focused on short term commercial success but a long lasting partnership.
• Support new business development or expansion of services through retail media strategy consultation and thought leadership.
• Provide resourcing recommendations and continuously monitor the effectiveness and bandwidth of the team (in collaboration with Project Manager).

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in retail media performance marketing or e-commerce ideally at a leading agency consultancy or platform.
• Deep understanding of retail platform mechanics digital shelf drivers and how media content and merchandising intersect.
• Proven leadership of omnichannel retail programs across search DSP on-site content and audience strategy particularly with Amazon Ads Walmart Connect Target Roundel etc.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams of specialists with accountability for strategy performance and operational quality.
• Ability to confidently navigate client-side marketing retail and commercial teams providing strategic clarity and earning trust.
• An analytical mindset with experience using data to tell stories inform decisions and optimize investments.
• Collaborative empathetic leadership style with a bias toward clarity accountability and shared outcomes.
• Experience working with complex matrixed client orgs with multiple stakeholders and objectives.
• Willingness to travel to client sites regularly

Bonus points if you:

• Experience working across multi-market or global accounts with fluency in regional retail dynamics.
• Have partnered with category or retail channel owners at large brands to shape media strategy and investment plans.
• Bring experience navigating the wearables or consumer tech category and understand product lifecycle and DTC/retail dynamics.

Are passionate about building team culture mentoring others and raising the bar in how retail media is perceived and executed.

WHAT DO WE OFFER

We are a collaborative open-door best-idea-wins environment that fosters personal and company growth and has fun doing it. Here is a snapshot of our benefits package:

• Healthcare Dental and Vision coverage
• 401k plan plus matching
• PTO
• Paid Company Holidays
• Parental Leave

The anticipated salary range for this position is $120000 - $165000. Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience expertise and organizational impact. This is based on a 40-hour workweek and leveling. Keep in mind were flexible.

WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU:

DEPT is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. Were committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace regardless of anyones identity background beliefs lifestyle or disabilities. So tell us about any accommodations you need. Its totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step.

DEPT participates in E-Verify meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.

We are a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work. Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place.

DEPT is a pioneering technology and marketing services company that creates integrated end-to-end digital experiences for brands such as Google KFC Philips Audi Twitch Patagonia eBay and more. Its team of 2500 digital specialists across 30 locations on 5 continents delivers pioneering work on a global scale with a boutique culture.

Learn more about DEPT

DIVERSITY EQUITY & INCLUSION

At DEPT we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit develop nurture and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications Apply and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity equity and inclusion Check out our efforts here.

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