Director, Commerce Strategy

About WPP Media WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth. WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working. For more information, visit wppmedia.com . About Wavemaker: A Leading WPP Media Brand This role is within Wavemaker, a leading brand within WPP Media, where you will be instrumental in provoking growth for clients through pioneering media, content, and technology solutions. Role Summary & Impact The Director, Commerce Strategy role will understand the capabilities of commerce platforms, including retail media networks and adtech partners and will assist in solving complex business problems through simplified POVs. The role will identify product, process, or solution opportunities based on client needs and unlocking new growth opportunities across channels for clients. This role will have the opportunity to work across multiple client accounts, work with retail partners, and support highly dynamic cross-functional project teams. This role will have the ability to infuse the best of our network capabilities into our client’s day-to-day deliverables. An entrepreneurial spirit with a bias for action and problem-solving is necessary to be successful in this role. Skills and Experience Manage a team of direct reports and their career development. Contribute to upleveling account management and improve how we serve WPP Media Commerce clients across agencies. Support agency teams (investment, search, social, programmatic, data, and analytics) to deliver comprehensive solutions that accomplish client’s business objectives. Support the integration between commerce and brand media to develop end-to-end media plans for clients. Manage relationships to ensure delivery of first-to-market media solutions. Stay up to date on the latest trends and best practices in retail media. Develop and cascade POVs on changing industry dynamics. Engage with internal and external leaders across WPP agencies, technology providers, and retailers to develop go-to-market solutions. Assist in developing commerce and retail media content for the organization, including educational trainings, POVs, and frameworks. Lead the adoption of WPP Media Commerce for new business and existing accounts. Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Communications, Advertising; OR equivalent professional work experience 7+ years of experience in commerce across paid media, trade strategy, retail, consulting, and/or analytics. Ability to execute effective media plans that achieve business objectives. Experience managing a team of direct reports. Experience across the Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Drive to learn and understand the retail landscape and the latest trends in commerce media. Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex ideas. Deep understanding of retail commercial elements such as profit margin, inventory levels, forecasting, and demand planning to inform media decisions. Deep understanding of how different media channels work together and how retail media fits within the wider ecosystem. Experience with retail bid management platforms, such as Pacvue or Skai. Experience in campaign management and optimization across multiple retail platforms (Amazon, Instacart, Walmart, Target, Kroger, Criteo, Google, Meta, etc.). Ability to collaborate and work effectively with internal teams and external partners. A self-starter attitude that thrives in a fast-paced environment. Excel…