VML
Group Director, Omnichannel Retail Media Strategist
VML, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Who We Are:
At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.
Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.
Who we are looking for:
VML is seeking a
Group Director
Omnichannel Retail Media Experience Strategist
to be a pivotal leader within VML's Commerce practice, driving strategic omnichannel retail activations and fostering a connected approach to retail media and shopper marketing. In this role, you will translate consumer insights and channel opportunities into high-impact, growth-driving campaigns, supporting account leads and guiding both strategy and tactical execution with a focus on innovation, impact, and scalability. This role is leading across all retail networks. What you'll do: Strategic Partner & Counsel : Serve as a trusted strategic partner for clients, providing ongoing omnichannel insights and actionable recommendations aligned with business goals. Retail & Omnichannel Planning : Develop and manage holistic omnichannel media and activation plans, spanning digital media, retailer media, social channels, influencers, and in-store activations, ensuring seamless integration across platforms. Campaign Management & Execution : Oversee campaign planning, hands-on setup, and optimization within retail media and social platforms. Direct the day-to-day execution to ensure each initiative meets objectives and delivers measurable impact. Budget Management : Drive financial stewardship, managing campaign budgets, tracking resource hours, and ensuring cost-efficiency while maximizing ROI. Performance Analytics & Reporting : Analyze campaign performance, applying insights from KPIs and media metrics to refine strategies, elevate client results, and enhance ROI. Client & Agency Education : Lead educational sessions for internal teams and clients, sharing industry trends, competitive insights, and best practices to elevate client understanding and engagement with omnichannel marketing. Innovative Problem Solving : Identify growth opportunities within campaigns and advise on new and emerging trends that could benefit omnichannel strategy, such as evolving programmatic approaches, retail readiness, or social commerce techniques. Who you are: Strategic Vision : Strong analytical thinker with a proven ability to distill complex data into actionable strategies and forward-looking insights for omnichannel campaigns. Collaboration Skills : Excellent relationship-building skills; effective at partnering with account teams, clients, and cross-functional teams. Adaptability : Entrepreneurial mindset with the flexibility to adapt to evolving client needs, with an eye toward innovative solutions and growth opportunities. Communication Skills : Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical insights into client-friendly language. Digital & Retail Media Expertise : Robust understanding of digital marketing, retail media, social commerce, programmatic advertising, and influencer strategy. What you'll need: Minimum 10 years total experience:
5-7 Years in digital marketing, retail media, shopper marketing, or eCommerce strategy, with at least 3 years focused on Walmart or similar retail environments. This role is supporting all retail networks. Project & Budget Management : Demonstrated experience in managing projects end-to-end, including budgeting and tracking. Analytical Prowess : Proficiency in leveraging analytics and KPIs to optimize retail and social media campaigns. Technical Skills : Proficient in Excel and PowerPoint; experienced with social, programmatic, and retail media platforms, with a focus on campaign optimization and performance tracking. What we offer: Passionate, driven people
| We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work. Consciously cultivated culture
| We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery. Competitive benefits
| What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness. Growth-minded opportunities
| We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.
VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.
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.
$75,000-$180,000 USD
At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization-creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers-who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.
VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
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.
At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.
Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.
Who we are looking for:
VML is seeking a
Group Director
Omnichannel Retail Media Experience Strategist
to be a pivotal leader within VML's Commerce practice, driving strategic omnichannel retail activations and fostering a connected approach to retail media and shopper marketing. In this role, you will translate consumer insights and channel opportunities into high-impact, growth-driving campaigns, supporting account leads and guiding both strategy and tactical execution with a focus on innovation, impact, and scalability. This role is leading across all retail networks. What you'll do: Strategic Partner & Counsel : Serve as a trusted strategic partner for clients, providing ongoing omnichannel insights and actionable recommendations aligned with business goals. Retail & Omnichannel Planning : Develop and manage holistic omnichannel media and activation plans, spanning digital media, retailer media, social channels, influencers, and in-store activations, ensuring seamless integration across platforms. Campaign Management & Execution : Oversee campaign planning, hands-on setup, and optimization within retail media and social platforms. Direct the day-to-day execution to ensure each initiative meets objectives and delivers measurable impact. Budget Management : Drive financial stewardship, managing campaign budgets, tracking resource hours, and ensuring cost-efficiency while maximizing ROI. Performance Analytics & Reporting : Analyze campaign performance, applying insights from KPIs and media metrics to refine strategies, elevate client results, and enhance ROI. Client & Agency Education : Lead educational sessions for internal teams and clients, sharing industry trends, competitive insights, and best practices to elevate client understanding and engagement with omnichannel marketing. Innovative Problem Solving : Identify growth opportunities within campaigns and advise on new and emerging trends that could benefit omnichannel strategy, such as evolving programmatic approaches, retail readiness, or social commerce techniques. Who you are: Strategic Vision : Strong analytical thinker with a proven ability to distill complex data into actionable strategies and forward-looking insights for omnichannel campaigns. Collaboration Skills : Excellent relationship-building skills; effective at partnering with account teams, clients, and cross-functional teams. Adaptability : Entrepreneurial mindset with the flexibility to adapt to evolving client needs, with an eye toward innovative solutions and growth opportunities. Communication Skills : Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical insights into client-friendly language. Digital & Retail Media Expertise : Robust understanding of digital marketing, retail media, social commerce, programmatic advertising, and influencer strategy. What you'll need: Minimum 10 years total experience:
5-7 Years in digital marketing, retail media, shopper marketing, or eCommerce strategy, with at least 3 years focused on Walmart or similar retail environments. This role is supporting all retail networks. Project & Budget Management : Demonstrated experience in managing projects end-to-end, including budgeting and tracking. Analytical Prowess : Proficiency in leveraging analytics and KPIs to optimize retail and social media campaigns. Technical Skills : Proficient in Excel and PowerPoint; experienced with social, programmatic, and retail media platforms, with a focus on campaign optimization and performance tracking. What we offer: Passionate, driven people
| We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work. Consciously cultivated culture
| We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery. Competitive benefits
| What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness. Growth-minded opportunities
| We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.
VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.
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.
$75,000-$180,000 USD
At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization-creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers-who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.
VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
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.