Executive Director Commerce (New York)

Who We AreVML, 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 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.About WPPWPP 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. For more information, visit WPP.com.The Executive Director, Commerce is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping andscaling commerce strategy, capability development, and client delivery. This leader drivesstrategic vision for client engagement and growth, builds the processes, tools, insights, andplatforms required for consistent excellence, and partners across strategy, data, creative,media, and technology to deliver integrated commerce solutions.The role requires a commercially minded and future-focused leader who can innovate newcommerce solutions, advise senior clients on current and emerging commerce models,and empower teams to deliver diCerentiated, consumer-centric, performance-drivingwork. This role is obsessed with driving meaningful relationships and delivering revenuegrowth.Role Scope• Lead shopper, retail, and commerce capability transformation and delivery forglobal and regional clients.• Oversee integrated commerce solutions spanning retail media, eCommerce,marketplace, digital shelf, performance marketing, and emerging agentic commercemodels.• Drive organic growth globally and regionally by providing forward thinking clientsolutions & capabilities.• Partner cross-functionally to connect commerce strategy with measurable businessoutcomes.1Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership• Define and lead the commerce vision and growth strategy across digital, social,marketplace, retail media, and emerging commerce channels.• Identify market opportunities and translate them into scalable oCerings, operatingmodels, and go-to-market strategies.• Develop the frameworks, tools, insights, and platforms needed to deliver consistentexcellence across client engagements.• Represent the commerce practice within the broader leadership ecosystem andstrengthen key internal and external partnerships.Business Leadership and Growth• Own business performance for the commerce practice, including revenue growth,margin health, commercials, and operational eCectiveness.• Drive growth through new business acquisition, client expansion, and developmentof diCerentiated commerce products and services.• Support forecasting, investment prioritization, and capability expansion planning inpartnership with senior leadership.Client Leadership• Serve as a senior commerce advisor to client stakeholders, including CMOs, headsof commerce, digital leaders, and other executive decision-makers.• Guide clients through commerce transformation, including omnichannel growthstrategy, retail media investment, marketplace activation, agentic commerce andcapability development.• Provide thought leadership that strengthens client confidence, deepenspartnerships, and positions the organization as a best-in-class commerce partner.Team Leadership and Capability Building• Lead and inspire high-performing teams across commerce disciplines.• Build bench strength, develop future leaders, and create an inclusive environmentwhere teams are empowered to succeed through their own perspectives andvoices.2• Drive a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and operationalexcellence.• Ensure delivery structures, talent models, and ways of working can scale with clientand business needs.Innovation and Thought Leadership• Innovate future marketing models across multi-capabilities where commerce is thethrough line.• Advance methodologies, measurement frameworks, and capability narratives thatstrengthen market diCerentiation.• Contribute to external thought leadership and internal capability building on thefuture of commerce, including evolving platform ecosystems and AI-enabledmodels.Experience and Background• Typically brings 15+ years of experience in commerce, retail media, eCommerce,performance marketing, consulting, or related agency/client leadershipenvironments.• Demonstrated success leading large-scale commerce businesses, complex clientportfolios, and cross-functional teams.• Strong commercial acumen with experience balancing strategic growth, deliveryexcellence, and operational rigor.• Deep understanding of omnichannel commerce, marketplaces, retail mediaecosystems, digital shelf strategy, and evolving commerce technology.• Expert-level proficiency with priority retailers (e.g, Amazon).Leadership Capabilities• Strategic and growth-oriented leader with the ability to scale capabilities andorganizations in dynamic market environments.• Executive presence and credibility with senior clients, partners, and internalstakeholders.• Skilled in navigating matrixed organizations and building alignment across functionsand disciplines.• Inclusive people leader with a strong commitment to developing talent, elevatingdiverse perspectives, and fostering high-performing teams.Functional Expertise• Commerce strategy and transformation• Retail media and marketplace activation• Digital shelf, content, and conversion strategy3• Commerce data, measurement, and performance frameworks• Omnichannel growth planning and operating models• Emerging commerce innovation, including AI-enabled and agentic commerceapplicationsSuccess Measures• Growth and profitability of the commerce business or portfolio in scope• Expansion and diCerentiation of commerce capabilities and oCerings• Strength of senior client relationships, retention, and account growth• Quality, scalability, and consistency of integrated commerce delivery• Team engagement, leadership development, and organizational healthWe believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's 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. VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit  , and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.When you click Submit Application, this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. 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