Senior Manager, Strategic Insights & retail Media Operations

Job Description: We're seeking a strategic operator who bridges data-driven insights with operational excellence. This role combines brand analytics, audience strategy, and operational innovation to drive non-endemic advertiser growth while optimizing the frameworks that make retail media networks scale. You'll be part analyst, part architect—building both the case for why non-endemic brands should invest in retail media networks AND the systems that enable seamless execution at scale. You'll report to the Group Director, Commerce & Retail Media and partner closely with internal Dentsu teams, agency media planners, and retail/commerce network partners. This is a highly cross-functional role requiring deep operational expertise, strong storytelling instincts, and a passion for turning insights into action. The ideal candidate combines deep analytical expertise with a passion for process improvement and product innovation. They understand the end-to-end lifecycle of both strategic insights and operational frameworks—from market research through execution to measurement and continuous improvement. Strategic Insights & Non-Endemic Growth • Build the case for non-endemic brands in retail media networks using sales lift, incrementality, and attribution data, plus industry and market trends • Partner with internal Dentsu teams on audience overlap and first-party data to find customer-base alignment opportunities • Turn audience and performance data into strategic POVs and business cases that give agency media teams clear reasons to shift budget into RMNs/CMNs • Contribute insights to presentations, POVs, and expansion strategies for retail/commerce clients • Monitor the competitive landscape, advertiser demand, and market trends to bring outside-in intelligence into strategy work Operational Strategy & Product Enablement • Design scalable operational frameworks and continuous improvement roadmaps for retail media workflows across managed-service and self-service products • Evaluate existing processes and find ways to simplify, standardize, automate, and scale operations across teams • Partner with Product and Engineering to prioritize operational enhancements and improve platform usability based on day-to-day operational insights • Create standard operating procedures, governance models, and playbooks that improve consistency and decision-making • Use data, automation, AI, and operational tooling to lead continuous improvement and boost productivity • Lead change management and adoption of new processes and platform capabilities, including documentation and training Cross-Functional Partnership & Storytelling • Turn complex data and operational challenges into clear narratives that shape budget decisions and strategic direction • Create data visualizations and POVs for agency media planners and retail partners, focused on clear takeaways rather than dense reporting • Connect insights, operations, and strategy so all teams see how data and process improvements drive business outcomes • Influence without direct authority across internal Dentsu teams (Audiences, Analytics, Account Management), Product/Engineering, and external agency partners • Advise leadership on operational risks, workflow gaps, and dependencies, and recommend scalable solutions that strengthen governance and maturity What You Will Bring • Systems thinker who sees both how to improve the organization and the strategy behind each process • Data-driven storyteller who explains complex findings simply to non-technical audiences, using visuals and clear takeaways over dense detail • Cross-functional influencer who aligns technical, operational, and client-facing teams without direct authority • Turns operational challenges and market opportunities into practical, scalable solutions • Curious about AI, automation, and emerging tech, and eager to use them to improve operations and insights • Comfortable with ambiguity and skilled at building the structure and governance that help organizations grow • Proactive communicator and collaborator who bridges technical, operational, and business teams • Passionate about non-endemic growth in retail media and how seemingly unrelated brands create value for retailers Required Qualifications • 3–6+ years in retail media, commerce media, shopper marketing, media analytics, or advertising operations (agency, platform, retailer, or network side) • Demonstrated success building sales/performance narratives that moved media budget—you know how to make data influence decision-making • Experience designing, improving, or scaling operational workflows within retail media, eCommerce, digital advertising, or SaaS environments • Track record leading process improvement or operational transformation initiatives • Comfort with audience data, overlap analysis, and first-party data (loyalty data, clean-room environments a plus) Nice to Have • Experience with RMN/CMN ecosystem players, measurement partners, or retail-specific analytics platforms • Background in sports, retail, or hospitality vertical media networks • Familiarity with loyalty-driven monetization models • Experience supporting self-service advertising products or platform operations • Background implementing automation, AI-enabled workflows, or operational tooling • Knowledge of ad serving technologies, order management systems, or campaign management platforms The annual salary range for this position is $72,000 -$95,000. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law. Benefits available with this position include: • Medical, vision, and dental insurance, • Life insurance, • Short-term and long-term disability insurance, • 401k, • Flexible paid time off, • At least 15 paid holidays per year, • Paid sick and safe leave, and • Paid parental leave. Dentsu also complies with applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies. For further details regarding Dentsu benefits, please visit www.dentsubenefitsplus.com . To begin the application process, please click on the "Apply" button at the top of this job posting. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and qualified candidates will be contacted for next steps. At dentsu, we believe great work happens when we're connected. Our way of working combines flexibility with in-person collaboration to spark ideas and strengthen our teams. Employees who live within a commutable distance of one of our hub offices, currently located in Chicago, metro Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York City, are required and expected to work from the office three days per week (two days per week for employees based in Los Angeles). Dentsu may designate other Hub offices at any time. Those who live outside a commutable range may be designated as remote, depending on the role and business needs. Regardless of your work location, we expect our employees to be flexible to meet the needs of our Company and clients, which may include attendance in an office. #LI-AD2 #LI-Hybrid Location: New York Brand: Iprospect Time Type: Full time Contract Type: Permanent Dentsu is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. We do this without regard to race, color , national origin, sex , sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religious practices and observances, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Dentsu is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with us, please send an e-mail to  ApplicantAccommodations@dentsu.com  by clicking on the link to let us  know the nature of your accommodation request and your contact information. We are here to support you.