Director, Investment Marketplaces

Join to apply for the Director, Investment Marketplaces role at Rise, a Quad agency

Rise is an award-winning, full-service Media Agency of Record backed by data and powered by people. We create omnichannel experiences using our proprietary tech stack and advanced analytics capabilities to help solve the unique struggles brands face today. This approach, with transparency at its core, specializes in omnichannel media, commerce and retail media, advanced in-home media, as well as content and creator marketing.

We offer “Risers” the opportunity to work in an ever-evolving industry that fosters learning and development, provides an innovative work environment with diverse projects and clients, career advancement paths, a collaborative team environment, corporate social responsibility initiatives, an inclusive and diverse culture, and association with a reputable media agency. We’re looking for talent like you who can continue to elevate our work and culture.

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.

The Director is responsible for the training and development of other team members, including cross‑functionally, and will provide strategic direction to team members in all aspects of media planning, performance and budget forecasting, campaign management, performance analysis, and partner outreach.

Location:

4 days in office, Chicago office OR US/remote if outside of the Chicago area

• 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 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, training, performance, and 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.

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

• 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.

• AMS Certification preferred.

• 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…