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 role
• How anyone can design KPIs that connect strategy to execution
• Why understanding your stakeholders' goals is essential to gaining buy-in
• How to stay grounded and lead through rapid growth and change
• Why curiosity and action—not credentials—often open the right doors
• What hiring managers might miss when they rely too heavily on resumes
• How designing for what good looks like has set Julian up to build incredible systems and teams

Whether 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 LinkedIn

Explore Albertsons Companies: albertsonscompanies.com/

Next Steps:
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For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn