General Manager, Retail Media Solutions

SJC stands as Canada’s largest privately owned communications company, distinguished by its portfolio of leading media brands, including Toronto Life, Chatelaine, and Maclean’s. A dynamic and influential organization within the industry, SJC excels in the creation, publication, and production of best-in-class content through its comprehensive content and creative studios, advanced advertising technology, and state-of-the-art print facilities. We collaborate with clients across North America to deliver innovative marketing solutions that effectively inform, inspire, and empower audiences across all platforms. With significant reach and influence, SJC has proudly been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for 22 consecutive years, a testament to our commitment to excellence.

SJC Media is seeking a General Manager, Retail Media Solutions who will drive the effort to build Canada’s leading independent Retail Solutions and Commerce Media business within SJC. The focus of this function will be to operate retail media networks (RMNs) for multiple national retailers and aggregating them into a scaled advertising and data platform using SJC’s assets and capabilities.

The General Manager, Retail Solutions will lead the creation, commercialization, and expansion of this new business unit. This executive will drive SJC’s transformation from a traditional media organization into a multi-retailer commerce media operator, enabling retailers to monetize first-party data, ecommerce traffic, and omnichannel shopper audiences.

The GM owns strategy, revenue growth, retailer partnerships, operating model design, and P&L performance.

Key Responsibilities

Business Leadership & P&L Ownership

• Own full P&L for the Retail Solutions business.
• Develop 3- and 5-year growth plans aligned to SJC corporate strategy.
• Deliver aggressive revenue and EBITDA growth targets.
• Establish scalable operating economics across multiple retailer clients.
• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and investment planning.

Retailer Acquisition & Partnerships

Lead the acquisition of strategic retail partners including:

• Specialty retailers
• Mid-tier national chains
• Ecommerce-led retailers lacking internal RMN capability

Responsibilities include:

• Structuring long-term RMN operating agreements
• Executive relationship management with retail CEOs and CMOs
• Creating win-win revenue share models
• Driving rapid onboarding of new retailers

Success metric:
👉 Build a federated retail network representing meaningful Canadian RMN market share.

Commerce Media Platform Development

Design and scale SJC’s unified retail media offering:

• Onsite retail media monetization
• Offsite commerce media activation
• First-party data monetization
• Audience and measurement products
• Cross-retailer advertising solutions

Ensure standardization across retailers while preserving brand control.

Revenue & Commercial Strategy

Build a national commerce media sales engine:

• Create aggregated advertiser demand across retailers
• Develop agency and brand partnerships
• Package multi-retailer media solutions
• Introduce performance-based advertising products
• Establish pricing, yield optimization, and monetization strategy

Objective:
👉 Agencies can “buy Canada” through one SJC commerce network.

Operating Model & Team Buildout

Build off of SJC’s structure to create an organizational structure required to operate multiple RMNs simultaneously.

Focusing on:

• Retail Partnerships
• Commerce Media Sales
• Ad Operations
• Data & Analytics
• Retail Client Success
• Product & Technology integration

Drive repeatable deployment playbooks enabling rapid retailer launches.

Technology & Data Strategy

Partner with SJC’s technology leaders:

• Implement scalable retail media technology stacks
• Enable cross-retailer identity and measurement
• Integrate ecommerce platforms and retailer data
• Develop proprietary audience and insight products

Focus on operator economics, not technology ownership.

Strategic Growth & Corporate Value Creation

Position Retail Solutions as a major enterprise value driver for SJC by:

• Expanding high-margin recurring revenue
• Creating defensible data assets
• Building network effects across retailers
• Supporting M&A, partnerships, and investment opportunities
• Establishing SJC as a national commerce media platform

And a bit about yourself - you have:

• 12–15+ years senior leadership experience
• Retail media, commerce media, adtech, or digital marketplace background
• Experience managing complex partnerships with enterprise retailers
• Demonstrated P&L ownership and revenue scaling
• Deep understanding of media agencies and brand advertiser ecosystems

Ideal backgrounds include:

• Retail media network leadership
• Commerce media platforms
• Adtech or data monetization businesses
• Marketplace or ecommerce media operators

Core Capabilities

• Builder mindset — thrives in zero-to-one environments
• Commercial dealmaker with executive presence
• Platform thinker (not single-client operator)
• Strong operator who balances strategy and execution
• Comfortable leading through ambiguity and rapid growth

Benefits at SJC:

SJC is committed to the well-being and professional development of its employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

Health and Dental Benefits

• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and access to online health & wellness resources through Homewood Health.
• Scholarship program available for employees’ children.
• Exclusive employee subscription rates for SJC publications.
• A complimentary 1-year Toronto Life Insider membership.
• Discounted annual GoodLife membership.
• Participation in the Perkopolis Perk Program, offering employee pricing at a wide range of retailers.
• A Workplace Built for Everyone:

SJC Values

• Amaze our customers: We put our customers’ evolving needs at the heart of the business and inspire through our ideas, quality and service.
• Be relentlessly curious: We take the initiative to learn, try new things and brainstorm the next big idea.
• Respect every individual as equal: We value diversity as the means to creativity and cultivate a collaborative environment where everyone belongs.
• Innovate and adapt with urgency: Forward-thinking and flexible, we react quickly and boldly to change.
• Contribute to our community: We apply our resources and passions to make a difference – for people and our planet

Accommodations at SJC

SJC is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, where everyone feels welcome and has the opportunity to thrive. We're committed to creating inclusive and barrier-free recruitment processes and work environments. If you're contacted for an interview and require any accommodations to ensure a fair and equitable experience, please let our Human Resources team know. We'll handle any information you share with complete confidentiality.

Inclusion at SJC

Equality and respect for all is one of our founding values and core beliefs at SJC. We are a diverse group with associates of all ages, orientations, races and talents. We celebrate this diversity and we draw strength from it. Inclusivity at SJC means fostering a culture that welcomes and respects each individual as equal – both inside our walls and within the larger community.