Associate Director, Programmatic

Accountabilities

• Define and own programmatic and direct media strategies across a portfolio of clients, covering CTV, OLV, display, native, audio, DOOH, high-impact, and emerging formats.
• Lead campaign strategy and activation across DSPs such as The Trade Desk, DV360, StackAdapt, and other relevant platforms, maintaining hands-on oversight of setup, pacing, optimization, QA, and troubleshooting.
• Develop buying and audience strategies across open exchange, private marketplace (PMP), Preferred Deals, Programmatic Guaranteed, and direct insertion order opportunities.
• Own media planning and performance best practices spanning forecasting, budgeting, reach and frequency, learning agendas, optimization, reporting, and analysis.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with publishers, platforms, and media partners, including leading RFPs, evaluating opportunities, and negotiating direct and programmatic partnerships.
• Identify and test emerging partners, formats, technologies, automation solutions, and AI applications that can improve campaign strategy, activation, workflows, and performance.
• Partner with client, creative, growth, and analytics stakeholders to connect media strategy and measurement with broader business objectives.
• Translate complex media strategies, marketplace developments, and performance data into clear recommendations and actionable business implications for clients.
• Serve as a trusted, client-facing advisor by anticipating needs, presenting recommendations, and helping clients make informed media investment decisions.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to team development, new business pitches, thought leadership, POVs, presentations, and content.
• Continuously improve processes and capabilities while helping evolve programmatic and direct media best practices.

Requirements

• 6+ years of experience developing and activating programmatic media strategies, ideally within an agency environment.
• Strong hands-on experience with DSPs such as The Trade Desk, DV360, and StackAdapt, including campaign setup, optimization, QA, troubleshooting, and performance management.
• Broad experience across CTV, OLV, display, and other programmatic channels, with knowledge of PMP, Preferred Deals, Programmatic Guaranteed, and direct publisher buying.
• Strong understanding of the programmatic ecosystem, including DSPs, SSPs, publishers, data providers, and verification partners.
• Experience developing sophisticated audience strategies using first-party data, contextual targeting, modeled audiences, and other targeting approaches.
• Strong media planning, measurement, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn performance insights into strategic recommendations.
• Proven client-facing experience and the ability to communicate complex media concepts clearly to diverse audiences while building trusted relationships.
• Experience developing publisher and media partner relationships, evaluating opportunities, and supporting new business pitches.
• Relevant platform certifications are a plus.
• Strategic, data-driven, and commercially minded, with a strong focus on delivering results and exceeding client expectations.
• Comfortable balancing high-level strategy with hands-on execution and remaining close to media platforms and campaign performance.
• Entrepreneurial, proactive, curious, and adaptable, with an interest in improving processes and exploring new technologies.
• Strong interest in AI and automation and a willingness to incorporate emerging tools into media strategy and execution.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

Benefits

• Base salary range of $113,000–$140,000, commensurate with experience and location.
• Performance-based bonus opportunity of up to 7%.
• Full medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous retirement program.
• Thoughtful parental leave and return-to-work program.
• Flexible time off and paid holidays.
• Quarterly company Recharge Days.
• Holiday closure in December.
• Ongoing learning and professional development opportunities.
• Commitment to transparent diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging practices.
• Flexible remote work environment for U.S.-based employees.
• Inclusive and supportive culture that encourages people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to grow and succeed.