Associate Director, Programmatic
Starcom, Chicago, IL, United States
Company Description
Starcom is the world's first standalone media agency, a storied innovator that continues to lead the way for many of the world's best brands.
Starcom has long been the professional birthplace and proving ground for marketing leaders – CEOs, CMOs, sales leaders, and technology pioneers – and we continue to drive the industry with peerless talent and relentless innovation.
From the start, we've known that achieving growth for our clients requires understanding and connecting with real people where they live and work, in ways they value.
In an AI era, we remain “Guided By Humanity,” a phrase that describes our foundational belief that human expertise must remain in the driver's seat, supported by the best processes and technology.
With our proprietary capabilities and Publicis Media's industry-leading resources and clout, we create ideas that move people and drive transformative business outcomes for brands.
Overview 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).
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
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.
Compensation Range: $97,375 - $139,965, annually.
Equal Employment Opportunity 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.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
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Starcom has long been the professional birthplace and proving ground for marketing leaders – CEOs, CMOs, sales leaders, and technology pioneers – and we continue to drive the industry with peerless talent and relentless innovation.
From the start, we've known that achieving growth for our clients requires understanding and connecting with real people where they live and work, in ways they value.
In an AI era, we remain “Guided By Humanity,” a phrase that describes our foundational belief that human expertise must remain in the driver's seat, supported by the best processes and technology.
With our proprietary capabilities and Publicis Media's industry-leading resources and clout, we create ideas that move people and drive transformative business outcomes for brands.
Overview 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).
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
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.
Compensation Range: $97,375 - $139,965, annually.
Equal Employment Opportunity 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.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
#J-18808-Ljbffr