Managing Director, Commerce/Media (Cross-Retail RMS Lead)

Company: VML
Location: Schiller Park
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

Who We Are VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendys. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55 markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney. About WPP WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth Who we are commerce: At VML, we are a global powerhouse born from the unification of Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R, combining creativity, commerce, data, and technology to build connected brands. With expertise across brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, we partner with the world’s most ambitious companies to drive measurable growth. Our Commerce practice helps brands win across marketplaces, retail media networks, and digital shelf environments. As retailers increasingly operate as both merchants and media platforms, our teams help clients connect retail fundamentals, digital shelf performance, and retail media activation to drive measurable commercial outcomes. VML is expanding its Retail Management Services (RMS) capability to support enterprise clients across Amazon, Walmart, Target, grocery, drug, DIY, and pure-play retail ecosystems. Who we are looking for: VML is seeking a Managing Director, Connections – Cross-Retail RMS Lead to oversee Retail Management Services across a portfolio of retailers where dedicated retailer teams are not required. This role serves as the primary strategic lead across multiple retail banners, ensuring consistent retail rigor, digital shelf health, and operational excellence across beauty, grocery, DIY, drug, and pure-play retailers. This role acts as the portfolio lead across non-dedicated retailers, ensuring consistent operational excellence and digital shelf performance across the broader retail ecosystem. The Cross-Retail RMS Lead ensures that retail fundamentals remain strong across all assigned retailers while coordinating platform specialists, content teams, and analytics resources to drive consistent execution. This role combines client leadership, cross-retailer platform fluency, and commercial accountability, translating retailer signals into prioritized actions that support both retail performance and retail media effectiveness. What you’ll do: Client Leadership Serve as the primary client lead for cross-retailer Retail Management Services across multiple retail banners. Partner directly with client customer and sales teams to align retail operations with commercial priorities. Translate retailer signals into actionable recommendations that improve retail performance. Cross-Retail Strategy Ensure consistent retail fundamentals and digital shelf rigor across assigned retailers. Identify opportunities to improve assortment, content quality, availability, and retail execution. Maintain a prioritized roadmap for improvements across retailer ecosystems. Platform & Operational Fluency Maintain working knowledge across multiple retailer ecosystems including: Retailer-specific content and governance systems (e.g., Target POL, CVS item systems, Kroger portals) Assortment strategy and profitability analysis Organic rank monitoring and share-of-voice tracking Retail media coordination with WPP Media teams Cross-Functional Coordination Coordinate execution across RMS support teams including: Platform specialists Content production and optimization teams Analytics and insight teams Ensure item readiness, content health, and transactability across retailer platforms. Performance & Risk Management Monitor retailer signals to identify operational risks impacting availability, discoverability, or conversion. Escalate systemic platform risks and operational challenges. Ensure retail fundamentals are optimized to support both commercial growth and retail media performance. What you’ll need: Minimum 5-10 years of experience in commerce, retail operations, digital shelf management, or retail media Experience supporting multiple retailer ecosystems including grocery, drug, DIY, or mass retailers Experience working with enterprise CPG brands across multi-retailer environments Strong understanding of digital shelf performance, retail fundamentals, and omnichannel commerce operations Ability to translate retailer signals and performance data into strategic recommendations Experience coordinating cross-functional teams across commerce, content, analytics, and media Excellent client leadership and communication skills Experience working with retailer content and governance platforms such as Target POL, Kroger systems, or CVS item portals Familiarity with retail media ecosystems across grocery and drug retailers Experience supporting enterprise CPG customer teams 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. 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 $125,000—$295,000 USD We believe the best work happens when were together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. Thats why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

Keywords: VML, Chicago , Managing Director, Commerce/Media (Cross-Retail RMS Lead), Executive , Schiller Park, Illinois