Managing Director, Media (Amazon Retail RMS Lead)

Company: VML
Location: Schiller Park
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

Who We Are VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendys. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55 markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney. About WPP WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. Who we are commerce: At VML, we are a global powerhouse born from the unification of Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R, combining creativity, commerce, data, and technology to build connected brands. With expertise across brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, we partner with the world’s most ambitious companies to drive measurable growth. Our Commerce practice sits at the center of retail transformation, helping brands win across marketplaces, retail media networks, and digital shelf environments. As retailers become media platforms and commerce ecosystems grow more complex, our teams help clients connect retail fundamentals with performance media and commercial outcomes. We are expanding our Retail Management Services (RMS) capability to support enterprise clients across Amazon, Walmart, Target, and other key retail platforms. Who we are looking for: VML is seeking a Managing Director, Media / Connections – Amazon Retail Management Services Lead to lead Amazon RMS for a major global client. This role serves as the primary strategic and operational lead for Amazon retail performance, owning the connection between digital shelf health, retail operations, and media enablement. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in the Amazon Vendor Central ecosystem, understands how retail fundamentals drive commercial performance, and can translate complex platform signals into clear strategic actions. This leader will partner closely with client sales leadership, VML commerce teams, and WPP Media to ensure retail fundamentals are optimized to unlock both commercial growth and retail media effectiveness. Amazon is a priority RMS retailer, and this role combines client relationship ownership, platform fluency, and commercial accountability. What you’ll do: Client Leadership Serve as the primary client lead for Amazon Retail Management Services for a major enterprise brand. Own the client relationship across RMS strategy, operational execution, and commercial performance. Partner directly with client Amazon sales leadership to align retail operations with commercial priorities. Translate performance data into actionable insights that drive growth. Amazon Retail Strategy Lead the Amazon RMS roadmap, prioritization, and strategic planning. Diagnose and improve retail fundamentals that influence revenue and retail media performance. Identify growth opportunities across assortment, availability, pricing, and content. Platform & Operational Expertise Maintain deep working fluency in the Amazon Vendor Central ecosystem including: Catalog health management and suppression resolution Variation strategy and catalog architecture Content optimization and A content execution Promotional planning and trade mechanics Inventory diagnostics, in-stock optimization, and transactability Cross-Functional Leadership Oversee day-to-day execution by Amazon platform specialists and RMS analysts. Partner with WPP Media teams to align retail media investments with retail readiness. Leverage insights from platforms like Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC) to inform retail strategy. Performance & Risk Management Monitor key retail health signals and performance metrics. Escalate and resolve operational risks impacting revenue, availability, or discoverability. Ensure retail fundamentals are optimized to unlock both media performance and commercial growth. What you’ll need: Minimum 5-10 years of experience in Amazon commerce, retail media, or marketplace operations Deep expertise in Amazon Vendor Central and the Amazon retail ecosystem Experience managing large enterprise clients or retail partnerships Proven ability to translate platform signals into commercial strategy Strong understanding of digital shelf, retail operations, and retail media interplay Ability to manage complex cross-functional teams and agency partners Strategic thinker with strong operational execution Excellent client leadership and communication skills Experience working within agency, commerce consultancy, or retail media environments Familiarity with Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC) and retail media analytics Experience managing teams supporting enterprise retail accounts What we provide: Opportunity to lead Amazon commerce strategy for a major global client Access to world-class commerce, media, and analytics capabilities across WPP A collaborative environment where creativity, technology, and commerce intersect Competitive compensation and benefits What we offer: Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work. Consciously cultivated culture | We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery. Competitive benefits | What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness. Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally. The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package $125,000—$295,000 USD We believe the best work happens when were together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. Thats why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

Keywords: VML, Skokie , Managing Director, Media (Amazon Retail RMS Lead), Sales , Schiller Park, Illinois