Overview

The programmatic associate director is responsible for leading the strategy, execution, optimization, and innovation of programmatic media campaigns across display, online video, CTV, audio, native, and emerging digital channels. This role serves as a key day-to-day leader across client accounts, translating business objectives into thoughtful media strategies that leverage audience insights, data, technology, and platform best practices. The associate director will be responsible for ensuring all work meets client goals, agency standards, and operational requirements.

This individual will manage and mentor a team of programmatic specialists, helping to drive quality, consistency, and professional development across the group. They will partner closely with internal strategy, investment, analytics, ad operations, creative, and account teams, as well as external platform and publisher partners, to deliver best-in-class programmatic solutions. The ideal candidate has deep hands-on experience with major DSPs such as The Trade Desk, DV360, Yahoo, and Amazon, and is comfortable navigating complex client needs, measurement frameworks, privacy considerations, and evolving industry trends.

In addition to campaign leadership, the Associate Director will play an important role in identifying opportunities for innovation, testing, and process improvement. This includes evaluating new platform capabilities, audience and identity solutions, measurement partners, inventory opportunities, and automation tools that can improve media effectiveness and efficiency. Strong communication skills, attention to detail, analytical thinking, and the ability to simplify complex programmatic concepts for clients and internal stakeholders are essential for success in this role.

Responsibilities

• Manage a programmatic team responsible for the client's media buys in the DSP

• Direct the execution of programmatic deliverables to meet/exceed expectations

• Solid knowledge of the programmatic landscape - system setups on both DSP, verification partners

• Develop, grow, and maintain relationships through exceptional client service

• Contribute to creation of action plans for achieving and measuring digital media success

• Advocate for the value of programmatic by educating clients, partners and internal teams on the latest tech/data advancements and capabilities in this quickly evolving space

• Provide direction as needed for improving campaign performance through optimization and/or implementing new features and strategies

• Create and deliver presentations to both clients and internal teams showcasing campaign strategy and outcomes

• Develop points of view on new technologies, trends, and opportunities in the digital media landscape

• Demonstrate a deep technical understanding as well as problem-solving and intervention when necessary

• Lead regular insight meetings with clients detailing performance, campaign optimizations, and new opportunities

• Work with media partners to ensure accurate platform implementation

• Lead and assist in coaching, managing, and educating a team of Analysts, Sr. Analysts, and Managers

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher preferred, preferably in marketing, advertising, business, engineering, statistics, economics, sociology, or equivalent

• 5+ years of directly related experience in the programmatic media space

• 2+ years of experience managing a team

• Working knowledge in technologies such as The Trade Desk, DoubleClick Bid Manager, TTD, AOP, AAP and Facebook and Twitter APIs

• Strong leadership skills and professionalism and be comfortable presenting ideas to senior client management

• Possess strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret campaign performance data and provide insights and optimization recommendations

• Understanding of traditional and interactive media planning elements

• Resourceful, curious, and motivated individual with an ability to work independently as well as in a team setting

• Strong analytics, organizational, and communication skills

• Strong client facing experience with the ability to identify risks and effectively manage through issues

• Strong project management skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with intermediate to advanced understanding of Excel

Additional information

The Power of One starts with our people! To do powerful things, we offer powerful resources. Our best-in-class wellness and benefits offerings include:

• Paid Family Care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or more
• Monetary assistance and support for Adoption, Surrogacy and Fertility
• Monetary assistance and support for pet adoption
• Employee Assistance Programs and Health/Wellness/Comfort reimbursements to help you invest in your future and work/life balance
• Tuition Assistance
• Paid time off that includes Flexible Time off Vacation, Annual Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday and Identity days, and more
• Matching Gifts programs
• Flexible working arrangements
• 'Work Your World' Program encouraging employees to work from anywhere Publicis Groupe has an office for up to 6 weeks a year (based upon eligibility)
• Business Resource Groups that support multiple affinities and alliances

The benefits offerings listed are available to eligible U.S. Based employees, are reviewed on an annual basis, and are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents.

Compensation Range: $97,375 - $155,961. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 07/15/2026.