Account Director - Small Format

Mars United

Mars United Commerce powered by Marilyn, is a global commerce company that delivers all the solutions clients need to grow their business today and tomorrow. Founded by the late Marilyn Barnett, we’ve become global leaders in four key commerce disciplines - Strategy & Analytics, Digital Commerce, Content & Experiences, and Retail Consultancy - that together form a United Commerce Ecosystem that provides all the expertise clients need to navigate the commerce marketing landscape. Our 800+ Martians across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia exist to drive growth for our people, our clients, and our communities all across the globe.   

https://www.marsunited.com/

Position Details

Account Director - Small Format
Job
Full-time
Office/WFH
100% remote
4/22/2025
Chicago Illinois
Chicago, IL
We are seeking an Account Director to work on our Small Format team. 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 in a commutable distance to Chicago. 
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   

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