Senior Program Director

Company: VML
Location: Schiller Park
Posted on: April 4, 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. What were looking for: VML is seeking a Senior Program Director over Retail Management Services to lead project management execution across our RMS operating model. This role is responsible for ensuring that strategy translates into structured, coordinated, and on-time execution across Amazon, Walmart, and cross-retail retailer coverage. The Senior Program Director orchestrates execution across commerce operations, content readiness, retail media coordination, and client teams. The ideal candidate brings strong experience in retail or eCommerce operational environments, with the ability to manage cross-functional teams, maintain delivery rigor, and proactively identify and resolve risks across complex retailer ecosystems. Our Commerce practice helps brands win across marketplaces, retail media networks, and digital shelf environments. As retailers increasingly operate as both merchants and media platforms, our teams connect retail fundamentals, digital shelf performance, and retail media activation to drive measurable commercial outcomes. VML is expanding its Retail Management Services (RMS) capability to support enterprise clients across Amazon, Walmart, grocery, drug, and other retail ecosystems. What youll do: Program Leadership | Lead execution discipline across all Retail Management Services retailers. Ensure RMS strategies translate into structured delivery plans and operational execution. Coordinate delivery across Amazon, Walmart, and cross-retailer workstreams. Program Planning & Workback Management | Build and maintain retailer-level workback plans for RMS initiatives. Map dependencies across retail operations, content, media, and client teams. Ensure alignment on timelines, deliverables, and execution priorities. Collaborate Cross-Functionally | Manage operational handoffs between Retail Services teams, WPP Media, and client teams. Coordinate execution across platform specialists, content teams, analytics, and retail media partners. Ensure launch readiness for initiatives including product launches, promotional events, and retail updates. Communicate & Risk Manage | Run weekly execution cadences and status forums across RMS teams. Maintain a clear execution rhythm across retailers and cross-functional partners. Ensure stakeholders remain aligned on priorities, timelines, and performance signals. Identify execution risks related to timelines, retailer systems, or operational dependencies. Escalate issues proactively and ensure timely resolution. Maintain a single source of truth for delivery trackers, status documentation, and program updates. Who you are: A builder | Entrepreneurial attitude couple with a strong business acumen. Ability and appetite to bring people together. Innate ability to marshal people and create gravity around ideas. Open and collaborative | Our team is close-knit and supportive and we’re working with a lot of unknowns – you must champion of team environments that are comfortable and encouraging. Optimistic and resilient | Dig in and figure out how to work around problems. Yes and why not posture. Takes care of self and team. Balance needed to maintain stamina and positivity. Ego-less | We all wear the hats that need wearing, it’s a mentality that makes the team successful. What youll need: 10 years of project management experience within commerce operations or retail execution environments. Management of multi-retailer commerce or retail programs, within an agency, commerce consultancy, or retail operations environment. Preferred experience supporting enterprise CPG brands. Proven ability to coordinate complex initiatives across cross-functional teams. Familiarity with Amazon, Walmart, or multi-retailer commerce ecosystems. Strong experience with workback planning, dependency mapping, and program governance. Ability to manage execution across retail operations, content teams, media partners, and client stakeholders. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. Highly organized with strong attention to detail. 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—$180,000 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, Wauwatosa , Senior Program Director, Retail - All , Schiller Park, Wisconsin