Executive Director Commerce

VML · New York, New York, United States

  • Senior
  • Full-time
  • Posted 2026-08-04
  • Confirmed live on 25 September 2026

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Job description

Who We Are

VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a Human First philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world’s leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.

VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.

For more information, please visit www.vml.com and follow along on  LinkedIn #WeAreVML.

The Executive Director, Commerce is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and

scaling commerce strategy, capability development, and client delivery. This leader drives

strategic vision for client engagement and growth, builds the processes, tools, insights, and

platforms required for consistent excellence, and partners across strategy, data, creative,

media, and technology to deliver integrated commerce solutions.

The role requires a commercially minded and future-focused leader who can innovate new

commerce solutions, advise senior clients on current and emerging commerce models,

and empower teams to deliver diCerentiated, consumer-centric, performance-driving

work. This role is obsessed with driving meaningful relationships and delivering revenue

growth.

Role Scope

• Lead shopper, retail, and commerce capability transformation and delivery for

global and regional clients.

• Oversee integrated commerce solutions spanning retail media, eCommerce,

marketplace, digital shelf, performance marketing, and emerging agentic commerce

models.

• Drive organic growth globally and regionally by providing forward thinking client

solutions & capabilities.

• Partner cross-functionally to connect commerce strategy with measurable business

outcomes.

1Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and lead the commerce vision and growth strategy across digital, social,

marketplace, retail media, and emerging commerce channels.

• Identify market opportunities and translate them into scalable oCerings, operating

models, and go-to-market strategies.

• Develop the frameworks, tools, insights, and platforms needed to deliver consistent

excellence across client engagements.

• Represent the commerce practice within the broader leadership ecosystem and

strengthen key internal and external partnerships.

Business Leadership and Growth

• Own business performance for the commerce practice, including revenue growth,

margin health, commercials, and operational eCectiveness.

• Drive growth through new business acquisition, client expansion, and development

of diCerentiated commerce products and services.

• Support forecasting, investment prioritization, and capability expansion planning in

partnership with senior leadership.

Client Leadership

• Serve as a senior commerce advisor to client stakeholders, including CMOs, heads

of commerce, digital leaders, and other executive decision-makers.

• Guide clients through commerce transformation, including omnichannel growth

strategy, retail media investment, marketplace activation, agentic commerce and

capability development.

• Provide thought leadership that strengthens client confidence, deepens

partnerships, and positions the organization as a best-in-class commerce partner.

Team Leadership and Capability Building

• Lead and inspire high-performing teams across commerce disciplines.

• Build bench strength, develop future leaders, and create an inclusive environment

where teams are empowered to succeed through their own perspectives and

voices.

2• Drive a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and operational

excellence.

• Ensure delivery structures, talent models, and ways of working can scale with client

and business needs.

Innovation and Thought Leadership

• Innovate future marketing models across multi-capabilities where commerce is the

through line.

• Advance methodologies, measurement frameworks, and capability narratives that

strengthen market diCerentiation.

• Contribute to external thought leadership and internal capability building on the

future of commerce, including evolving platform ecosystems and AI-enabled

models.

Experience and Background

• Typically brings 15+ years of experience in commerce, retail media, eCommerce,

performance marketing, consulting, or related agency/client leadership

environments.

• Demonstrated success leading large-scale commerce businesses, complex client

portfolios, and cross-functional teams.

• Strong commercial acumen with experience balancing strategic growth, delivery

excellence, and operational r

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