Associate Director, Programmatic

Starcom Mediavest Group Germany Gmbh

$97K — $155K *
Media
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of progressive experience in programmatic media, with 2+ years in leadership roles.
  • Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting data and providing insights.
  • Hands-on experience with DSP platforms and familiarity with DMPs.
  • Strong understanding of privacy and identity trends related to programmatic advertising.
  • Proficiency in project management and excellent client communication capabilities.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee the execution of programmatic campaigns across various platforms.
  • Communicate digital strategies to clients and internal teams effectively.
  • Maintain strong client relationships through proactive engagement.
  • Contribute to strategic discussions and share emerging industry trends.
  • Partner with analytics to identify campaign optimization opportunities.
  • Advocate for programmatic best practices and educate clients on technologies.
  • Support cohesive strategies across different advertising channels.

Benefits

  • Paid Family Care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or more
  • Tuition Assistance for personal development
  • Flexible Time Off that includes vacation and sick days
  • Employee Assistance Programs focused on health and wellness
  • Options for remote working through the 'Work Your World' Program
  • Monetary support for Adoption, Surrogacy, and Fertility
  • Strong emphasis on work/life balance with various paid leave options.
Full Job Description
Job Description

What You'll Do:
The Associate Director, Programmatic is a hands-on leader responsible for guiding a team in the execution and optimization of programmatic campaigns. This role combines tactical expertise with strategic thinking, ensuring client objectives are met while fostering innovation and continuous improvement. You will serve as a trusted partner to clients and internal teams, contributing to thought leadership and driving operational excellence at the account level.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee programmatic campaign execution across DSP/DMP platforms, ensuring alignment with client KPIs.


  • Communicate digital strategies and rationale for tactical approaches to clients and internal teams.


  • Maintain strong client relationships through proactive communication and performance insights.


  • Contribute to strategic POVs and innovation discussions; share emerging trends and platform updates.


  • Partner with analytics to interpret campaign data, identify optimization opportunities, and inform future planning.


  • Advocate for programmatic best practices and educate clients on evolving technologies and privacy standards.


  • Collaborate with media partners to ensure accurate platform implementation and leverage new features.


  • Collaborate with internal teams to problem solve, resolve campaign issues, decipher budget discrepancies, and complete necessary client deliverables


  • Support cross-channel integration across display, video, mobile, and social formats for cohesive strategies.


  • Implement operational best practices and quality assurance processes to ensure efficiency and accuracy.


  • Prepare and deliver client presentations showcasing campaign performance and actionable recommendations. Provide feedback to junior team members during report and insight development.


  • Coach and mentor the team, providing guidance on optimization strategies, pacing adjustments, and client communication.


  • Leverage AI-based tools to enhance Programmatic Activation efficiency and campaign performance.


Qualifications

  • 5+ years of progressive experience in programmatic media, including 2+ years in leadership roles.


  • Experience mentoring, teaching, training, and onboarding direct reports strongly preferred.


  • Experience with standardizing processes across teams


  • Proven ability to design and execute strategic media plans aligned with client KPIs and business goals.


  • Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret data and provide actionable insights.


  • Hands-on experience with DSP platforms (e.g., The Trade Desk, DV360, Yahoo DSP, Amazon DSP) and familiarity with DMPs.


  • Strong understanding of privacy & identity trends (Privacy Sandbox, clean rooms, consented measurement). IAB Tech Lab


  • Experience with measurement tools (CM360, GA4), reporting platforms (Looker/Tableau)


  • Strong understanding of programmatic metrics, optimization strategies, and attribution Modeling frameworks.


  • Familiarity with ad verification tools (IAS, DoubleVerify) and brand safety protocols.


  • Excellent client & partner communication - able to present performance, explain technical choices and recommend strategy.


  • Cross-team collaboration: Ability to navigate/troubleshoot issues and communicate effectively across disciplines - communication within the client portfolio (i.e. working with Strategy, Solution Architects, Billing teams)


  • Strong troubleshooting, QA discipline, and project management skills.


  • Strong client-facing experience and ability to manage issues effectively.


  • Resourceful, curious, and motivated with a passion for innovation and continuous learning.


  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; advanced Excel skills preferred.


  • Familiarity with digital workflow tools inclusive of leveraging traffic sheets, creative rotations, Prisma, billing, etc.


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 U.S. based employees, are reviewed on an annual basis, and are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents.

Compensation Range: USD $97,375.00 - USD $155,961.00/Annually. 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 9/4/2026.

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Starcom Mediavest Group Germany Gmbh

More Media Jobs

Find similar Associate Director, Programmatic jobs: