Director, Commerce Media

The Director, Commerce Media is responsible for leading activation strategy and integrated media planning for Commerce clients, ensuring programs are designed to meet client objectives, drive measurable business outcomes, and support growth across the connected commerce ecosystem. This role will partner closely with client leads, strategy, creative, analytics, and commerce media teams to develop and guide media plans across key retail media networks, including Amazon, Walmart, Target/Roundel, Kroger, Albertsons, ADUSA, Instacart, Shipt, and regional partners, as well as retail media technology and partner platforms such as Criteo, CitrusAd, Pacvue, Skai, CommerceIQ, and The Trade Desk.

This person will serve as a strategic activation lead across primary retail media networks and complementary third-party commerce tactics, including offsite display, CTV/OLV, paid social, in-store media, shopper incentives, and other emerging retail activation solutions. The Director will be responsible for connecting retailer, shopper, and media strategies into cohesive plans that deliver engaging shopper experiences, drive conversion, improve ROI, and support broader client business goals.

The role requires strong command of retail media platforms, programmatic buying, retail media technology, campaign planning, performance optimization, and marketplace dynamics. The Director will bring thought leadership to Acosta Group’s commerce media practice, helping shape strategic recommendations, test-and-learn agendas, partner selection, measurement frameworks, and client-facing narratives that support strong execution and long-term client growth 

Responsibilities

Essential Functions: 

• Lead commerce media activation strategy across key retail media networks, including Amazon, Walmart, Target/Roundel, Kroger, Instacart, Albertsons, ADUSA, and regional partners, ensuring plans are aligned to client objectives, retailer priorities, and measurable business outcomes. 
• Guide integrated media planning across onsite, offsite, search, display, CTV/OLV, paid social, in-store media, incentives, and other third-party commerce activation tactics. 
• Serve as a senior strategic partner to client leads and commerce media teams, acting as a bridge between client objectives, retailer opportunities, media execution, and performance optimization. 
• Actively contribute to media account strategy, including KPI development, budget allocation, vendor and partner selection, test-and-learn priorities, performance tracking, and ongoing industry monitoring
• Build and present strategic media recommendations, business reviews, and activation plans that translate client goals into clear, actionable commerce media solutions. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including client engagement, strategy, creative, analytics, operations, agency partners, retailer partners, and ad technology partners to ensure advertising strategies are connected to broader business objectives.