How Julian Semer Went from Finance to Shaping the Future of Retail Media at Albertsons

What does it really take to build a business inside a business?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Julian Semer,  Director of In-Store Media at Albertsons, to unpack how a finance background, entrepreneurial drive, and deep curiosity led him to one of the most innovative and fast-evolving areas in retail.Julian shares how he went from building KPI models in finance to launching an in-store media business within a Fortune 100 company. He offers clear, strategic insights into what it takes to build from the ground up, communicate complexity across stakeholders, and lead with clarity in a high-pressure environment.What You'll Learn:How Julian translated a finance career into a retail media leadership roleHow anyone can design KPIs that connect strategy to executionWhy understanding your stakeholders' goals is essential to gaining buy-inHow to stay grounded and lead through rapid growth and changeWhy curiosity and action—not credentials—often open the right doorsWhat hiring managers might miss when they rely too heavily on resumesHow designing for what good looks like has set Julian up to build incredible systems and teamsWhether you’re building a team, launching something new, or navigating a career pivot, this episode offers real-world insight you can use right away.Guest Links: Connect with Julian Semer on LinkedInExplore Albertsons Companies: albertsonscompanies.com/ Next Steps:Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn