Director, Marketplaces

Make sure to apply with all the requested information, as laid out in the job overview below. Be among the first 25 applicants GENERAL PURPOSE The Director, Marketplaces is responsible for overseeing the strategy, planning, execution, and performance of retail media programs across eCommerce ecosystems. This leader will serve as the agency's expert in marketplace advertising—guiding client strategies, managing vendor relationships, optimizing performance, participating in new business opportunities, and building a high‑performing team of specialists. This role requires a hybrid of performance marketing, retail media, and client leadership skills. The successful Director is both analytical and strategic, with deep experience in digital marketplaces and a proven ability to scale retail media programs across multiple clients.

Location: 4 days in office, Chicago office

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of paid media strategies across retail media platforms including Amazon Ads, Walmart Connect, Instacart, Kroger Precision Marketing, Target Roundel, and others.

Serve as the agency's primary expert in digital marketplaces, educating clients and internal teams on marketplace dynamics, trends, ad formats, targeting capabilities, and attribution models.

Own senior‑level relationships with marketplace media partners and negotiate strategic deals that benefit client performance and agency efficiency.

Collaborate with media planning and investment teams to integrate marketplace strategies into broader media plans and omnichannel customer journeys.

Oversee performance analysis, optimizations, reporting, and insights development to drive continuous improvement and client ROI.

Manage a team (remote and across all Rise locations, onshore and offshore) of marketplace strategists and buyers; mentor and support team development, quality control, and workload prioritization; accountable for all aspects of team oversight, including employee onboarding, employee training, employee performance (accountability and behavior), employee retention.

Develop and refine SOPs, workflows, and best practices for marketplace media execution, reporting, and data integration.

Stay ahead of industry developments and platform updates; assess and pilot new tools, betas, and data partnerships that enhance performance.

Lead retail media pitches and client onboarding efforts, establishing clear strategies, KPIs, and expectations for new business.

Partner with analytics, eCommerce, and brand teams to deliver cohesive and measurable commerce media programs.

Job Requirements

Appropriate education and / or experience may be substituted on an equivalent basis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, eCommerce, or related field required; MBA or advanced certification in retail media platforms is a plus.

Ability to speak, read and write the English language.

Certification

AMS Certification preferred.

Experience

10+ years of experience in performance media, with at least 5 years focused on retail/eCommerce marketplaces such as Amazon Ads, Walmart Connect, Instacart, or equivalent.

10+ years of AMS specific experience; additional experience with Amazon DSP or other retailers (PromoteIQ, Criteo, Wayfair, etc) a plus.

Deep knowledge of retail media platforms, self‑service ad tools (e.g., Amazon DSP, Walmart Luminate), product detail page (PDP) optimization, and retail media metrics (ROAS, TACoS, etc.).

Familiarity with Skai, Pacvue, Vendor & Seller Central and other relevant Marketplaces technologies.

Advanced level understanding of marketplace tactics including sponsored products, sponsored brands, sponsored display, and DSP ad formats.

Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, pacing, attribution models, and performance goals across multiple clients or categories.

Strong analytical mindset with experience using tools such as Skai, Pacvue, Vendor & Seller Central, CommerceIQ, or similar.

Effective communicator and presenter, capable of leading client strategy sessions, vendor negotiations, and executive briefings.

Proven leadership ability in managing and developing high‑performing teams.

Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, evolving media landscape.

Experience with Microsoft Office suite; significant experience with Excel and SQL a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Confident presenting to internal and external stakeholders, including C‑Suite executives.

Ability to work cross‑functionally with Account, Analytics, Technology, and Finance teams to accomplish client objectives.

Experience building media plans and determining budget allocation on a yearly and monthly basis using different forecasting methodologies.

Experience building pitch decks and pitching potential new business or upsell opportunities.

Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, and provide guidance to junior team members on prioritization.

Strong written and verbal communication skills; mastery of the art of asking the right questions with the ability to translate the answers from what is heard into what is meant.

Demonstrated understanding of the eCommerce ecosystem; how marketing channels connect, and how to make sense of the data provided by sources in order to make strategic recommendations.

Experience with new business development and upsells.

Proven ability to foster strong, collaborative relationships.

Travel Employees can be expected to be paid an annualized salary range of $120,000–$150,000, based on variations in knowledge, skills, experience and market conditions.

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