Associate Director, Programmatic

About the role

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.

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 POV 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.
• Prowess in designing and executing 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.

Benefits

• 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