Director Retail Operations Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Company Description

Mars United Commerce is a global commerce marketing practice that aligns people, technology, and intelligence to make the business of our clients better today than it was yesterday. Our worldwide capabilities coalesce into four key disciplines - Strategy & Analytics, Content & Experiences, Digital Commerce, and Retail Consultancy - that individually deliver unmatched results for clients and collectively give them an unparalleled network of seamlessly integrated functions across the entire commerce marketing ecosystem. These disciplines are powered by our industry-leading technology platform, Marilyn, which helps marketers understand the total business impact of their commerce marketing activation, enabling them to make better decisions, create connected experiences, and drive stronger, measurable results. Learn more at https://www.marsunited.com/.

Overview

We are seeking a Director, Retail Consultancy. The Director is the owner of the core client retail specific business, leading Customer specific business strategy and performance, connected commerce programming, thought leadership and Marilyn integration.  Their key duties include development of annual planning efforts and strategic briefs, oversight of ongoing plan development, driving flawless execution, and leading reporting and recommendations with Marilyn data analysis.  Ownership includes relationship development and collaboration with their client, retailer and internal/external partners to ensure full strategic alignment, inclusive of media strategy. They own and actively direct the retail media relationship specific to the client, development of plans to achieve objectives and executional excellence to ensure business objectives are achieved.

The Director proactively delivers ongoing thought leadership, new/innovative and creative solutions to drive business performance. They drive connectivity via Marilyn data tools and analytics, to drive program recommendations. They lead national media agency relationship development and partnering with internal cross functional teams. Candidates must reside within a commutable distance to our Cincinnati, Chicago or Detroit (Troy) office for a hybrid work schedule.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Provide thought leadership, impacting/contributing to client's way of doing business with their key retailer on an ongoing basis
• Collaborate with clients and retailer to ensure full strategic alignment of all plans and programming, inclusive of omni/shopper strategy and plans, media strategy and media plans
• Act as a change agent/impact player from both an internal and external perspective - contributing to both client and agency performance
• Expand assigned business through identification of growth opportunities within your retailer or class of trade
• Owner of the retail media relationship specific to the retailer
• Manage client relationship at the retail level to include shopper marketers, sales teams and Marilyn insights teams.
• Leads discussions on mid-campaign optimizations and final recap recommendations
• Supports implementation of all programmatic/DSP and DDM activation and testing
• Demonstrate financial responsibility related to client scope of work, hours management and staffing needs.
• Develop annual business plans, setting short- and long-term strategic course for growth of assigned business
• Build strong relationships with both client and retailer while working closely with cross-functional teams including media, consumer marketing, trade development, operations, merchandising, and category managers, directors and buyers
• Identify opportunities within your assigned retailer and share this learning on an ongoing basis with your Retail and Client Leadership teams
• Understand how an agency works and embracing the tools and continually learning about our ways of working

SKILL SETS REQUIRED: 

• Bachelor's degree in advertising, marketing, business, or related field - MBA preferred
• Minimum of 8 years of marketing, ecommerce, media or advertising experience with grocery retailers
• Dynamic personality able to effectively engage and influence a variety of audiences
• A wealth of industry knowledge including current trends, consumer packaged goods and retailer information, and business philosophies
• Motivational leadership, inspiring team to deliver top performance every day against assigned business
• Strategic thinking in the development of Shopper Marketing programs and management of day to day business
• Sound decision making skills
• Passion about business and dissatisfaction with status quo - always thinking of ways to improve/grow assigned client/business
• Strong listening skills and attention to detail
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation and interpersonal skills
• Desire to dig in and do what's needed to get the job done right.
• Some travel is required

Additional Information

The Power of One starts with our people! To do powerful things, we offer powerful resources. Our best-in-class wellness and benefits offerings include:

Paid Family Care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or moreMonetary assistance and support for Adoption, Surrogacy and FertilityMonetary assistance and support for pet adoptionEmployee Assistance Programs and Health/Wellness/Comfort reimbursements to help you invest in your future and work/life balanceTuition AssistancePaid time off that includes Flexible Time off Vacation, Annual Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday and Identity days, and moreMatching Gifts programsFlexible working arrangements'Work Your World' Program encouraging employees to work from anywhere Publicis Groupe has an office for up to 6 weeks a year (based upon eligibility)Business Resource Groups that support multiple affinities and alliances

The benefits offerings listed are available to eligible U.S. Based employees, are reviewed on an annual basis, and are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents.

We also offer medical and voluntary benefits to our freelancers and temporary employees. Voluntary benefit options include supplemental medical insurance, transportation, and parking benefits, legal benefits, pet insurance, and auto and home insurance. You must be actively employed for 90 consecutive calendar days in order to be eligible for Publicis medical and voluntary benefits. 

Mars United Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law, genetic information, marital status, military service and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact usmttacompliance@publicis.com.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

 Compensation Range: USD $121,315.00 - USD $174,300.00/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 10/19/2026.Employment Type: FULL_TIME