Director, Commerce Programmatic
Location: Chicago, United States; New York, United States · Category: Marketing & Growth · Seniority: Director · Posted: October 19, 2026 · Verified: Oct 19, 2026
Role Overview & Description
Track team expansion and market signals for EssenceMediacom
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EssenceMediacom
essencemediacom.comGlobal media agency for planning, buying, analytics and commerce.
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This role leads programmatic commerce activations across retail media networks and DSPs, managing campaign setup, optimization, and reporting. The director oversees a team, manages partner relationships, and drives retail media investment to achieve client goals.
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 WPP Unite WPP Unite is a specialized unit within the WPP network, designed to deliver integrated, transformative marketing solutions for some of our most strategic clients. We bring together talent and capabilities across disciplines—media, creative, strategy, commerce, and analytics—to operate as one unified team. Our focus is not only on delivering exceptional work, but on continuously evolving how we work. We build and scale modern operating models, workflows, and tools that drive efficiency, transparency, and measurable impact across the business. Role Summary & Impact The Manager, Programmatic Commerce will utilize their retail expertise to drive excellence in tactical activation and day-to-day management of programmatic-based activations. You will lead audience and creative strategy development, competitive research, day-to-day campaign setup, management, and reporting of programmatic media buys. This role will be focused on programmatic activations across several retailer media networks and DSPs, including but not limited to Amazon, CitrusAd, Criteo, The Trade Desk, Walmart, etc. The role will require an understanding of each of the platforms and DSP’s programmatic offerings – from self-serve to managed service buys. You will connect directly with the retail media networks at each of the key customers on behalf of, and in partnership with the client. You will be supporting the Director, Programmatic Commerce as we seek to maximize retail media investment for our client accounts. 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. Oversee programmatic media activations across several retailer media networks and DSPs, including but not limited to Amazon, CitrusAd, Criteo, The Trade Desk, Walmart, etc. Execute campaign setup, bid recommendations, and budgeting to ensure overall client goal attainment, including the use of retail bid management technologies where applicable such as Pacvue, Skai, and Epsilo. Maintain excellent relationships with key account stakeholders to maximize promotional opportunities and assist them in navigating the Commerce activation landscape. Ensure on-going campaign compliance to GroupM established guidelines and best practices. Lead the incorporation of cross-channel testing and optimization strategies. Prepare campaign performance reports on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis. Synthesize key data points, identify trends, and recommend activities to maximize business results and deliver an optimal customer experience. Address technical issues with media campaign serving. Stay up to date on changing marketplace dynamics surrounding ad products, technology and measurement across programmatic partners. Manage reconciliation, invoicing/billing, trafficking, and mapping data to our internal media campaign management platform. Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Communications, Advertising; OR equivalent professional work experience 3+ years of experience in biddable performance media execution or paid ecommerce, with a strong preference for retail media programmatic execution. Experience managing a team of direct reports. Experience across the Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. 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. Strong drive to understand the retail landscape and latest trends in commerce media. 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. Excellent project-management skills; able to coordinate projects across multiple teams and functions. Life at WPP Media & Benefits Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We Create an Open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days. WPP Media is an equal
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Manages programmatic commerce initiatives, integrating retail media and e-commerce strategies. Requires expertise in programmatic buying and retail media networks.
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