Director, Programmatic (Precision Media)

About the role

The Director, Programmatic role at Starcom is a leadership position that combines visionary leadership with deep technical and platform expertise. This role involves leading a high-performing team, integrating emerging technologies, and delivering omnichannel excellence across various media channels.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a high-performing programmatic team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Own end-to-end programmatic strategy, ensuring campaigns exceed performance benchmarks and align with client business objectives.
• Drive omnichannel integration, including CTV, DOOH, audio, social, and retail media, for cohesive and impactful strategies.
• Champion privacy-first solutions, leveraging clean rooms, contextual targeting, and identity resolution frameworks.
• Represent the agency as an industry thought leader, through POV's, speaking engagements, and trend reports.
• Partner with clients at the executive level, providing consultative guidance on programmatic role in achieving growth and profitability.
• Collaborate with Analytics and Data Science teams to design advanced measurement frameworks, attribution models, and actionable insights.
• Leverage AI/ML technologies for predictive bidding, dynamic creative optimization, and advanced audience segmentation.
• Create operational playbooks, QA protocols, and best practices to improve efficiency and campaign performance.
• Lead media negotiations with DSP/DMP partners, ensuring cost efficiency and strategic alignment.
• Leverage Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) results and other analysis to contextualize programmatic impact and inform future investment decisions.
• Leverage AI-based tools to enhance Programmatic Activation efficiency and campaign performance.
• Drive revenue growth and margin improvement through innovative programmatic solutions and strategic investment recommendations.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in programmatic media, including 4+ 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 the 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) and basic SQL for data interrogation.
• Greenhouse Strong understanding of programmatic metrics, optimization strategies, and attribution Modeling frameworks.
• Understanding traditional and interactive media planning elements.
• Familiarity with ad verification tools (IAS, Double Verify) and brand safety protocols.
• Excellent client & partner communication and storytelling skills — 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.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred.

Additional Information

Starcom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law, genetic information, marital status, military service and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.