KINESSO - Manager, Retail Media Strategy

Position Summary

Our Commerce team delivers best-in-class strategies in Retail Media and Commerce, spanning on-site and off-site digital ads, retailer-focused influencer collaborations, and innovative shoppable technology solutions that drive seamless conversions and measurable business outcomes. We empower clients’ commerce, shopper, and customer marketing teams to maximize product sales both online and in-store.

As Manager, Retail Media Strategy, you will provide strategic guidance, analysis, and performance optimization for a leading CPG brand in the coffee category. Reporting to the Director of Performance, you will collaborate closely with the Account Manager for Retail Search and the Commerce Craft team to develop retailer-specific digital retail media strategies across Walmart Canada, Canadian Tire, Best Buy Canada, and Costco. Acting as a direct extension of the client’s Trade team, you will own Digital Retail Media plans and co-develop strategic and tactical initiatives that align with client goals.

This role is ideal for a data-driven, strategic thinker with retail media experience who thrives on delivering measurable results while building strong relationships with client teams and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with client Trade teams and internal stakeholders.
• Serve as a strategic partner, providing insights, recommendations, and optimization strategies.
• Deliver timely, clear, and actionable presentations, reports, and strategic guidance tailored to client needs.

Retail Media Strategy & Planning

• Review and analyze digital retail media plans and performance data from clients and retailers.
• Support campaign buying and ensure media program stewardship.
• Provide recommendations to optimize campaigns per retailer while staying within budget.
• Collaborate with client Trade teams and retailer partners to co-develop annual and quarterly retail media plans.
• Identify and leverage innovative media opportunities, including Retail Media Networks (RMNs), to drive measurable impact.

Performance Analysis & Reporting

• Measure, analyze, and report post-promotion or post-campaign results using client and retailer data.
• Conduct quarterly performance analyses with actionable insights to optimize future campaigns.
• Centralize reporting and translate findings into strategic recommendations.
• Monitor retail media trends to inform planning and innovation.

Project & Budget Management

• Manage timelines, approvals, and budget stewardship for all retailer-specific campaigns.
• Coordinate cross-functional deliverables to ensure seamless campaign execution.
• Align client billing processes with internal budget management.

Collaboration & Innovation

• Partner with the Commerce Craft team to integrate creative and technical solutions.
• Support the Director of Performance in identifying new RMN opportunities and emerging technology solutions.
• Promote knowledge-sharing across internal teams to ensure strategic consistency.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Strong project management experience in Retail Media.
• Experience with omni-channel Retail Media Networks (e.g., Criteo, Walmart Connect) is essential.
• Experience Managing Amazon Sponsored Ads campaigns is highly desirable
• Background in CPG or premium brands is highly desirable.
• Ability to interpret data to shape strategies and optimize performance.
• Experience managing multiple client accounts across diverse categories.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, with the ability to simplify complex insights for clients.
• Proven teamwork skills, fostering collaboration across functions.
• Passion for retail media, commerce strategy, data-driven marketing, emerging media, and innovative technology solutions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

KINESSO is the technology-driven performance marketing agency that sits at the very heart of IPG Mediabrands, 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, 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

What's in it for you?
• Generous paid time off with a minimum of 37 paid days off including vacation and monthly wellness days. We also have four-day long weekends, half-day summer Fridays, and meeting-free Friday afternoons year-round.
• A flexible hybrid work model that works for you.
• A focus on personal development with formal training opportunities, including mental health training and inclusion education for everyone.
• A chance to be part of and grow within a global network of agencies.
• The opportunity to contribute to our company culture by joining one of our many community-based employee groups, such as Black Employee Network, Girls on Fire, Hispanic or Latinx Alliance, Neuro Network, Pan-Asian Network, and Rainbow Lounge.

KINESSO is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, colour, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, provincial, or municipal law. If you require an accommodation in any aspect of the selection process, please reach out to [email protected]