New

Group Strategy Director, Commerce

Southern Graphic Systems, LLC
life insurance, flexible benefit account, long term disability, 401(k)
United States, Illinois, Chicago
Oct 02, 2026
Description We're seeking aGroup Strategy Director, Commerce to lead the development, growth, and strategic direction of the eCommerce Strategy discipline across the agency. This role is pivotal in scaling oureCommerce Practice, driving thought leadership, and ensuring strategic excellence across all clients and categories. This leader will oversee a growing team of eCommerce Strategy Directors and junior strategists, ensuring consistency in approach, methodology, and outputs surrounding our eCommerce work. Partnering closely withCreative and Account leads this role will shape omnichannel strategies that push boundaries and deliver measurable impact across major retailers (Amazon, Walmart, Target) and marketplaces. This role is bothvisionary and hands-on, building infrastructure and frameworks, mentoring talent, and contributing directly to business development and client innovation. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership & Governance Define and scale strategic frameworks and toolkits that standardize excellence across all eCommerce clients, ensuring every engagement is underpinned by best-in-class thinking, repeatable processes, and insight-driven methodologies Create and enforce governance standardsthat outline how strategy is developed, implemented, and optimized, including QA protocols, KPI frameworks, strategic intake processes and performance benchmarks that ensure accountability and operational rigor Oversee strategy development across a portfolio of clients, ensuring there's a consistent elevation of strategic output Collaborate with Creative and Account leadership to drive holistic, high-performing campaign strategies Team & Practice Development Lead, mentor, and grow a team of Strategy Directors and junior strategists Develop onboarding, training, and development plans to scale team capabilities Champion a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and learning within the practice Partner with HR and leadership on recruitment and team design as the practice scales Thought Leadership & Innovation Stay ahead of marketplace changes, retailer algorithms, and emerging technologies Serve as a thought leader in eCommerce, contributing to industry panels, case studies, and agency education Lead development of proprietary methodologies across SEO, AEO, GEO, and digital shelf optimization Represent the agency in key client strategy presentations, thought leadership initiatives, and new business pitches Business Development & Client Growth Serve as a strategic lead on new business efforts-translating client challenges into strategic solutions Partner with Business Development to evaluate RFPs, develop pitches, and scope strategic solutions Consult across clients to identify new strategic opportunities and deepen client relationships Ensure all strategy engagements are measurable, actionable, and tied to client business outcomes Qualifications: 10+ years in digital strategy with at least 4-5 years leading eCommerce-focused initiatives Leadership experience mentoring and managing strategy teams Experience in CPG and Retail verticals Deep knowledge of major retailer platforms (Amazon, Walmart, Target, etc.), SEO, PDP strategy, and content syndication tools Experience with platforms like Helium 10, Walmart Connect, Amazon Ads / Vendor Central, Profitero, Stackline, Salsify, Vizit, or similar Strong strategic thinking with ability to zoom in/out from vision to execution Strong grounding in brand strategy, and the role eCommerce plays in the broader brand-building and brand experience ecosystem Understanding of the global landscape of eCommerce: diversity/exclusivity of channel, etc. Highly collaborative and proactive, with experience partnering across creative, copy, insights, and client service teams Strong understanding of major retail media platforms - Amazon and Walmart About Propelis: Propelis is a portfolio of global marketing services and technology companies with a combined legacy of 150+ years, 2,000+ clients, 9,000 employees, and operations across 30 countries. Propelis provides the scale and support of a global organization while preserving the unique culture and identity of each company in its portfolio. For more information visit: www.MakeMarks.com EEO Statement: We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. We offer equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled. We strive to make our employment website and application process accessible to all users and applicants. In doing so, we provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation or assistance completing the application process, please contact a member of our Human Resource Team. Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $165,000 - $175,000 USD annually. Ultimately, in determining pay, we will consider the successful candidate's location, experience, and other job-related factors. Group benefits currently include a selection of health care plans with prescription drug coverage, dental plan, vision plan, basic and supplemental life insurance, a flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses or a health savings account based on plan selection, short/long term disability and 401(k) Savings Plan. Qualifications Experience Deep understanding of how to shape brands' positioning, identity, and consumer experience within digital commerce platforms (required) Significant experience developing comprehensive strategies across multiple brands and creative disciplines, with particular focus on eCommerce and digital retail environments (required) Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.