Insight Director
Lead the future of retail media measurement by transforming first-party data into commercial strategy, shaping industry-leading partnerships and building high-performing insight teams that drive real
Location: Hybrid, minimum 2 days in Leeds, with occasional travel to Liverpool
Salary: From £67,000 + 10% discretionary bonus
Level: Director-level.
Who are we?
We’re the original pioneers in connected commerce marketing. Since 2008, we’ve been partnering with major retailers, powering global brands, and building meaningful connections with shoppers.
We simplify the mind-boggling complexity of today’s retail media landscape. We deliver impactful campaigns that connect with people where it matters. We create seamless and personalised shopping experiences. Above all, we deliver amazing results for our partners, driven by our unshakeable desire for growth. Time after time, we change the game. SMG is home to a world-class suite of commerce advertising capabilities powered by data and cutting-edge technology. We constantly push ourselves, our tech and our industry to discover innovative new ways to connect, sell and grow.
About the role
We are looking for a Insight Director to work across two established retail media partnerships and the wider insight operations function.
Working across a leading UK grocery retailer and a major online retailer, you'll use campaign measurement, first-party data and insight to influence media investment, improve planning and strengthen retailer partnerships.
You'll also lead the operational capability behind campaign measurement across SMG, driving automation, standardisation and continuous improvement to deliver scalable, commercially valuable insight for clients and retailers.
A Little Bit About You
You’ll bring:
Significant experience leading insight, analytics or measurement functions within retail, media or adjacent industries.
Strong understanding of campaign measurement, experimentation and first-party data, with the ability to translate evidence into commercially meaningful recommendations.
Proven ability to use insight to influence senior stakeholders, shape strategy and drive organisational change.
Experience developing or evolving insight products, propositions or measurement frameworks that create commercial value.
Comfortable balancing strategic leadership with hands-on consultancy, adapting style to suit different partnerships and business needs.
Excellent storytelling and communication skills, able to simplify complex analysis into compelling narratives that influence action.
Experience leading cross-functional programmes involving technical, product or data teams to improve measurement capability or operational efficiency.
Strong people leadership skills, with experience building capability, coaching teams and creating high-performance cultures.
Commercially minded, with an ability to identify opportunities where insight and measurement can unlock business growth.
Curious, adaptable and comfortable operating in a fast-moving environment where priorities evolve and ambiguity is expected.
Able to build credibility quickly and influence change within established organisations, balancing challenge with collaboration.
What you’ll do
Lead the measurement strategy across two established retail media partnerships, ensuring campaign evaluation goes beyond reporting performance to influence future planning, investment and optimisation. Use first-party data and campaign learning to identify opportunities to improve effectiveness, strengthen ROI and demonstrate the value of retail media to retailers and brands.
Shape insight and measurement propositions that create commercial value for retailers and brands. Develop approaches that make measurement more useful, scalable and valuable, supporting the evolution of insight products, measurement frameworks and consultancy offers while ensuring they remain grounded in robust campaign evaluation.
Build trusted relationships with senior retailer, client and internal stakeholders, using evidence from campaign measurement to influence decision making and drive change. Champion the role of insight in improving media planning, briefing, activation and investment decisions, helping partners move from measuring performance to improving it.
Lead the evolution of SMG's evaluation capability by identifying opportunities to automate, standardise and improve how campaign measurement is delivered. Work closely with Data Ops, Platform and Product teams to translate business needs into scalable measurement solutions that improve efficiency while maintaining analytical quality.
Lead and develop insight teams across your partnerships alongside the wider evaluations function. Create clarity of direction, build capability in strategic measurement and consultancy, and foster a culture where operational excellence and commercial impact are equally valued.
We're looking for people who enjoy the buzz of change, the satisfaction of building something better, and the joy of working with a close-knit, values-driven team. If you love variety, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and embrace change with energy, this could be your right role.
Don’t meet every single requirement? We still want to hear from you. If you believe you’d thrive in this role, your unique perspective might be just what we’re looking for.
Why SMG?
At SMG, we hire for the future, which is fast-moving and changing shape. Do you have the potential to help shape our business? We’re looking for brilliant, diverse talent who want to grow with us - people who are curious, ambitious, and eager to learn, whether as specialists or across teams.
We value those who take ownership of their growth and bring fresh perspectives. That’s why we’re committed to equity, inclusion, and building a place where everyone feels empowered to grow. At SMG, it’s not just about filling a role but building the future together.
● 10% discretionary bonus
● £1,800 yearly wellbeing fund (on top of your salary!)
● Free Headspace subscription
● £500 yearly “Uni Fund” for learning
● 4 extra Wellbeing Days off per year
● Summer & Winter conferences + year-round celebrations
● 4pm finishes every Friday
● Flexible and hybrid working
Useful Links Before You Apply
Our full data retention policy can be found here.
Current vacancies
Bradford
Life at SMG
Our workplace culture is super important to us and we have a team dedicated to making SMG a great place to work. Whether it's Wellbeing Wednesday, a virtual quiz, or giving back to our charity partner The Trussell Trust, there is always something going on here at SMG. Take a look at some of the things we've been up to on our Life at SMG page.