Director, Retail Search

Mars United Commerce Powered by Marilyn is a global commerce company that delivers all the solutions clients need to grow their business today and tomorrow. Founded by the late Marilyn Barnett, we’ve become global leaders in four key commerce disciplines – Strategy & Analytics, Digital Commerce, Content & Experiences, and Retail Consultancy – that together form a United Commerce Ecosystem that provides all the expertise clients need to navigate the commerce marketing landscape. Our 800+ Martians across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia exist to drive growth for our people, our clients, and our communities all across the globe.

As our CPG clients increasingly rely on us to help manage their paid search activities across Amazon, Walmart, Target, Instacart, Kroger and other key retailers, we are looking for a Director, Retail Search to work from a remote location to lead the company’s best-in-class retail search practice into its next phase of evolution and growth. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of building & executing winning search strategies for brands on retail media platforms; is a tinkerer and out-of-the-box thinker who is always looking for innovative ways to help clients find an edge; and is a strong leader who can inspire a team to achieve results they didn’t previously think possible.

Candidates must reside within a commutable distance from the Mars United Commerce Bentonville, Chicago and New York locations.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage clients’ paid search investments across key retail media platforms (e.g. Amazon Advertising, Walmart Connect and Instacart) – including considerations for campaign setup/architecture, KPI & benchmark setting, item prioritization, budget allocation (always-on and seasonal), keyword research & selection, bidding guardrails, day-parting, pacing & optimization parameters and measurement & reporting
• Collaborate with cross-functional peers to translate high-level strategy into detailed, actionable brand- and retailer-specific search plans; and to determine the best way to integrate paid search within the broader omni-channel marketing mix
• Lead the current team of hands-to-keyboard retail search buyers; provide inspiration, guidance and mentorship to help them achieve optimal campaign results for our clients; and develop & nurture the existing talent and build out the team as needed to keep pace with the rapid change of pace in the industry
• Work with our Analytics & Data Science team to set thoughtful KPIs & benchmarks, deliver best-in-class reporting, and drive automation throughout the measurement & optimization process
• Maintain existing relationships with key retail media networks, search platforms (e.g. CitrusAd and Criteo) and third-party software and data platforms
• Stay current on the latest news, developments and trends in the industry, and regularly share updates, education, key learnings, best practices and case studies with clients and internal stakeholders
• Initiate test & learns to try out new hypotheses, ideas, approaches and/or partner capabilities that could unlock significant performance improvements for our clients

SKILLSETS REQUIRED:

• Extensive experience building & executing winning search strategies for brands on retail media platforms while working at an agency, retailer media network, aggregator, brand/manufacturer or other relevant company
• Deep expertise in the fundamentals of paid search strategy, planning, campaign management, measurement and optimization
• Strong familiarity and existing relationships with retail media networks and third-party search platforms like Amazon Advertising, Walmart Connect, Instacart, CitrusAd and Criteo
• Firsthand hands-to-keyboard buying experience on native or third-party platforms is preferred – as your team will be seeking guidance, expertise and mentorship in this area – but not required
• Dynamic, empathetic leader with seasoned team management and mentoring skills
• Ambitious self-starter who takes ownership of and great pride in his/her work
• Creative and strategic thinker who gets excited about taking on and solving complex challenges
• Curious and dissatisfied with the status quo, always thinking of ways to improve and grow
• Collaborative team player and great listener, but unafraid to challenge peers or clients when necessary in order to achieve the best results for the project
• Confident presenter and clear, persuasive communicator (verbal and written) of complicated information
• Doer (v. a talker) with a “roll up your sleeves and figure it out” mentality
• Adept at analyzing results, synthesizing data, drawing out insights & implications and developing insightful & actionable recommendations; experience using tools & platforms such as Pacvue, Analytic Index, Power BI and Tableau is preferred

Mars United Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to race, ancestry, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or handicap, HIV, veteran, marital or family status, or any other status or condition protected by applicable state and/or federal laws, except where a bonafide occupational qualification applies.

Mars United Commerce has developed a wide variety of inclusive benefit plans and policies that address and promote the needs of all employees and their family members, including comprehensive group health plans, a parental leave program that includes paid maternity and paternity benefits for pregnancy, adoption and surrogacy, flexible paid time off, a broad and confidential employee assistance program, ongoing wellness support initiatives, trusted financial health advice and guidance, promotion of education through tuition support and assistance, and a flexible and supportive work environment and culture.

Compensation range: $119,510- $155,325 annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be September 30, 2025.

Bentonville: $119,510- $155,325

Chicago: $119,510- $171,675

New York: $119,510- $188,025

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