Associate Director, Commerce Search

Business Overview

KINESSO is the technology-driven performance marketing agency providing actionable growth for both our agency partners and clients. We turn 'action' into 'outcome' for our clients, leveraging our unique capabilities in optimization, analytics, AI, and experimentation. KINESSO has brought together the collective power of what was formerly Matterkind, Reprise, P3, and Kinesso under one collective entity that will serve as the most powerful delivery engine in the industry. We have extensive offerings spanning across performance marketing and data and technology. Fueled by a deep understanding of consumer behavior, we offer an end-to-end engine of planning and optimization while also delivering on data-driven strategy for social platforms, actionable growth in e-commerce, and creating curated marketplaces specific to each client's function and needs. The company has more than 6,000 employees operating in more than 60 countries. Learn more at www.KINESSO.com.

We are looking for you - dynamic, best-in-class talent - to join the growing Commerce team as an Associate Director. In this role you will be responsible for managing a team in developing, planning, buying, executing and measuring media plans for designated shopper/commerce media clients. You will support the Director in the strategic and tactical development of each retail plan. You will work closely with national Planning and Buying teams to allow for holistic Commerce media function.

The Commerce team is a specialty group that focuses on the planning, buying, execution and measurement of Commerce media. Commerce media is any specific media elements that are retailer focused/tagged. This can be in-store signage such as a coupon machine or shelfblade, a billboard driving shoppers to a Walmart store, digital ads (search, display, OLV/STV, etc) on Amazon or Kroger.com site via managed or self service, tapping influencers that support certain retailers or working with shoppable technology companies to ensure ease of conversion. The team supports client's commerce/shopper/customer marketing teams-our end goal measuring product sales both online and in-store.

Who You Are

Eager to challenge the retail norms, create industry leading campaign strategy and combine best in class media skills with industry-leading retail consulting. You excel at translating client business objectives at the senior level into Commerce daily tactical execution, to drive sales online and in-store. You are comfortable with how to design, develop, deploy Commerce retail, sales & operations strategies and services while working in tandem with national counterparts to ensure a holistic Commerce approach, connecting the team and media were applicable. You will be an end-to-end expert of our planning, buying and reporting capabilities for search, growing strong client relationships and ensuring health of our client relationships. You thrive in a fast paced environment, building solutions when necessary and paving the way for the team to excel.

• Retail Media Knowledge




• Knowledge of multiple retail media networks & their platforms, may include Amazon, Walmart, Roundel, Kroger, etc.
• Seasoned experience with self-service search platforms for both retailer specific (e.g. WMC, Roundel Media Studio, etc.) as well as aggregators (e.g. Criteo, Citrus, Pacvue, Skai, etc.)
• Comfortable and knowledgeable with D2C platforms (e.g. Google, Bing, Shopping, etc.)
• Understands individual RMN capabilities across tactic, targeting, reporting methodology, etc.
• Ability to push partners on their roadmap and advocate for the client based on business needs, preliminary exposure to JBPs (e.g. understanding benefits and tracking against commitments, etc.)




• Account Management & Strategy




• Leads the development, presentation, management and measurement of omnichannel commerce media programs and defines program objectives and strategies consistent with brand marketing objectives
• Responsible for DTC media & operational performance across paid search engines, shopping and other performance based media tactics as needed
• Responsible for the strategy and the audience insights being funneled down into the tactical media plan
• Ensures strategic consistency across all elements of plan development and implementation

• Takes learnings from previous campaigns and apply to next campaign and across retailers as applicable

• Reviews campaign buildouts, targeting/keywords and budget allocations in platform. Provides feedback as necessary to make sure it drives client goals
• Proactively identifies growth opportunities and shares ideas for potential test and learns
• Ensures the detailed media plan, inclusive of tactics, audiences, flighting, KPIs, etc. that the team has built drives client performance. Pressure tests the recommendation to provide strongest recommendation for the client
• Creates client ready materials and delivers client communications

• Responsible for managing approval timeline internally and within client organization and retailers, ability to push back and pivot as needed

• Manages and oversees day-to-day client requests and delegates to appropriate team members as necessary
• Ensure accuracy and ease of understanding all deliverables (e.g. client documents, budget stewardship/management, client billing, etc.)
• Ability to tailor client presentations to the audience (i.e. Senior Level vs. Junior Level)

• Takes lead in establishing and implementing best practices within client accounts
• Understands the underlying client needs and recommends solution / path forward. Once aligned, clearly directs internal team and manages deliverables with client
• Ability to assess and rank issues and tasks in order of importance for taking action and escalating as needed
• Anticipates, recognizes, and clearly defines problems using various techniques to systematically analyze, weigh alternatives and propose solutions
• Works with team to ensuring all tasks are captured and tracking toward completion for status whether internal or client facing. Responsible for leading status and providing support for team

• Responsible for creating team and client centric processes to ensure accuracy of all deliverables (e.g. client documents, budget stewardship/management/client billing), improve overall team performance and minimize risk of human error through consistent implementation of QA guardrails




• Execution




• Oversees buying process and stewardship for media programs to ensure original objectives are being met




• Reviews and participates when needed in daily campaign & budget management including optimizations

• Provides support for Manager as needed in the coordination of creative assets between client, creative agencies and partners
• Reviews pacing to ensure delivery is appropriate and aligned to campaign flighting for both managed and self service campaigns

• Measures media performance at all stages to ensure original objectives and strategies are being met to client satisfaction

• Establish higher level testing opportunities, beyond campaign specific, to drive overall business insights and performance. Work with Manager to ladder up individual campaign tests into overarching testing structure/roadmap
• Reviews analysis and reporting of data on daily/weekly/bi-weekly/monthly & ad-hoc basis to level up any larger account insights

• Data to be provided from team pulling in self service platforms

• Turns insights into long-term action by highlighting clear flow of cause, effect and next steps

• Responsible for staying up to date with various retailer measurement solutions and attribution methods

• Serves as escalation point for billing as needed




• Relationships




• Oversees account relationship with media partners and supports Manager in negotiation of commerce media for specific programswhen escalation is needed
• Works cross-functionally with national planning & investment, ad operations, product, reporting, analytics, finance and other groups across the account
• Maintains relationships and sets client's expectations, ensuring timely creation & delivery of work
• Manages day-to-day team performance to achieve desired results based on defined roles and responsibilities for the Associates, Senior Associates & Managers




• Training/Development




• Ensures knowledge sharing across internal teams, open communication & provides thought leadership
• Identifies & builds functional expertise or knowledge in a relevant, unique & specific media area, including commerce media expertise

• Aware of level of knowledge and experience on your team, where you need to spend extra time vs. let team members run with projects

• Responsible for leading and training team in ways of working and planning fundamentals, effectively communicating agency goals, managing workloads and providing performance feedback and career development support. All direct reports should have clear growth plan in place
• Provide real time constructive feedback for team members across areas of strength and development

• Partner with Director to assess team burn rate

• Industry Knowledge & Thought Leadership

• Master, identify and communicate trends in retail and client industries that will impact of be relevant to assigned clients
• Seeks out information to remain current on media trends and shares with team members with relevant implications/potential opportunities

• Bring commerce expertise and POV to the table when you are pulled into a work session/ brainstorm/ group project
• Craft case studies of successful work and effective process for sharing with larger team and growing new business repository
• Clear POV on value of eRetail vs D2C and how they partner with other channels to drive success

• Proven knowledge of media planning & planning with use of research tools and resources
• Proven experience in writing and presenting relevant information to client audience




• Can carry conversations with clients easily




• Project management; effectively managing multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines under a fast-paced environment. Time management and project management skills are critical
• Strong working knowledge of commerce industry and platforms including major retailers and supporting technology (e.g. Amazon Ads, Walmart Connect, Roundel, Pacvue, Skai, Criteo, Citrus, etc.)

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of working experience required,with 3+ years experience in a people manager role; strong ability to delegate, train, and support direct reports
• 4+ years of commerce experience working across multiple retailers preferred
• Experience in web analytics, ad tracking and other biddable media (e.g. paid search)
• Experienced in partner negotiations inclusive of multicampaign and/or annual commitments
• Ability to manage team, both upwards and downwards across multiple levels, to ensure cross-team communication
• Polished presence and presentation skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and proven problem-solving ability
• Self- sufficient, proactive and solution oriented
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Knowledge with industry tools such as MediaTools, Prisma, etc.

We offer a Total Rewards package that includes medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plans, flex spending, life insurance, disability, employee discount program, employee stock purchase program and paid family benefits to support you and your family. The salary range for this position is posted below. Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position, market considerations, budgetary considerations, tenure and standing with the Company (applicable to current employees), as well as the employee's/applicant's skill set, level of experience, and qualifications.

It is the policy of our company to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and other job functions are subject to modification. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

For applicants to jobs in the United States: In compliance with the current Americans with Disabilities Act and state and local laws, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please email accommodation@mbww.com.