Director, Commerce SEM

Responsibilities

• Own the strategic direction of retail search programs across your client portfolio. That covers campaign architecture, keyword and ASIN/item targeting, bidding and budget strategy, share-of-shelf and share-of-voice goals, and full-funnel measurement.
• Connect search performance to retail fundamentals such as content, ratings and reviews, pricing, promotions and availability. Make sure media spend is backed by a retail-ready digital shelf.
• Build and maintain strong executive client relationships that create long-term partnerships and referrals. Find ways to drive incremental value through retail media, and create an environment where clients give candid feedback.
• Oversee multiple client teams, guiding them to strong performance against client KPIs (ROAS, TACoS, incremental sales, new-to-brand, share of search) and identifying and resolving client issues.
• Identify opportunities to grow revenue with existing clients, including expanding to new retailers and networks, adding onsite display and offsite or DSP media, and integrating search with retail strategy, in line with client objectives.
• Help shape and scale Flywheel's retail search practice, including methodology, tooling and automation, testing and incrementality frameworks, and best practices.
• Stay ahead of retail media changes (new networks and ad formats, AI-driven bidding, AMC and clean-room measurement, shopping assistants) and translate them into a point of view for clients and the team.
• Act as a brand ambassador for Flywheel, both internally through market insight and training, and externally through business development, conferences, webinars and industry groups.
• Make sure the team has the training, resources and professional development they need to grow their retail media expertise and deliver value to clients every day.
• Maintain team morale and motivation in a hybrid work environment.

Requirements

• 8+ years of eCommerce or digital marketing experience, with at least 5 years leading retail media search at an agency, brand or retailer, managing significant budgets across multiple clients or brands.
• An expert in Amazon Ads (Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, Sponsored Display) with hands-on experience on other retail media networks such as Walmart Connect, Instacart, Target Roundel, Kroger Precision Marketing or Criteo.
• A strong understanding of retail and marketplace fundamentals: the digital shelf, content, pricing, promotions, inventory, and how they drive search performance.
• Comfortable with retail media measurement and analytics, including AMC or other clean rooms, incrementality testing, TACoS and new-to-brand metrics, and bid management or automation tools.
• Proven track record of prioritizing in a fast-paced environment with competing internal and external demands.
• Team management experience with demonstrated leadership, mentoring and coaching skills.
• Strong business acumen, problem-solving and analytical skills, and comfort turning data into a clear story for executives.
• Experience presenting to and influencing executive audiences.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Results-driven with a strong client focus.

Preferred

• Experience with Google Shopping or Microsoft Advertising is an asset.