Director, Commerce Strategy

About VML

VML 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 Wendy's. 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.

VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit , and follow along on Instagram, Linked In, and X.

This is a full‑time opportunity to join the world’s largest and most effective Living Commerce agency, working on a very high‑profile piece of CPG business. While we are leaders in commerce, the expectations of the right person include helping us to transcend retail by creating engaging connected experiences that turn intent into action.

We are looking for the right person who has a penchant for understanding human behavior, a keen understanding of the emerging retail dynamics and a sharp ability to unearth unique consumer and shopper insights; one who has a passion for being a collaborator, culture vulture, trend spotter, creative muse, problem solver, storyteller, and a good human being.

• Collaborate closely with business leadership and creative peers to lead a customer “pod” team, focusing on defining business problems and developing strategy to overcome them.
• Work closely with brand, sales, customer and insights teams to manifest commercial ideas that deliver breakthrough results.
• Align retailer segments with brand segments – providing rich dimension into humans’ hearts, minds, and behaviors.
• Ensure creative delivers against the requirements of brand and customer communications.
• Represent the voice of the shopper to all stakeholders to articulate commerce communication priorities.
• Create inspirational creative briefs and present strategic narratives to both internal audiences and clients.

• BA in Marketing / Advertising or equivalent.
• 7+ years of experience in at least one aspect of strategic planning or a related field.
• Working knowledge of data tools and systems such as Simmons, MRI, Kantar, or equivalent.
• Understanding of human behavior and how it impacts purchase decision‑making.
• Some commerce/retail/shopper marketing experience is required.
• Ability to communicate clearly, thoroughly, and succinctly both verbally and in written form to build relationships internally and with client teams.
• Ability to analyze results, interpret data, draw sound conclusions, and develop insightful and actionable recommendations – comfortable using data as a tool for creative inspiration.
• Skilled in developing and delivering presentations tailored to specific audiences – preference will be given to those who prefer Keynote to PowerPoint.
• Interpersonal skills to selflessly inspire and elevate the work of those around them, and to work with different disciplines, resources, and personalities seamlessly.
• Curious, active, unconventional thinking with deft ability to apply cultural context to the work we deliver.
• Experience, command, and interest in how brands connect with people in today’s world.
• A respectful but provocative attitude, always questioning and pushing thinking, but knows when and how to land the plane.

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is $75,000—$180,000 USD. Individual compensation varies based on job‑related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits…