📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Director, Programmatic
🔹 Company: Klick
🔹 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Advertising Services
🔹 Date Posted: May 21, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic leadership in programmatic media strategies for healthcare and pharmaceutical markets
- Campaign oversight and optimization across multiple clients
- Client partnership and internal stakeholder management
- Team management and development
- Innovation and process improvement
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with a focus on driving results for clients and fostering team growth.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Shape and execute programmatic media strategies aligned with client goals
✅ Analyze performance, drive strategic optimizations, and maintain high standards in programmatic and display media operations
✅ Act as the primary point of contact for client marketing teams and internal stakeholders, delivering programmatic media insights and recommendations
✅ Mentor and manage a team of junior programmatic traders, enhancing their skill sets and ensuring a positive, collaborative team environment
✅ Identify new programmatic opportunities, develop a testing framework, and share insights on evolving best practices across the agency
✅ Implement efficient processes and quality control measures, aiming to streamline workflows and optimize resource use across campaigns
✅ Lead by example, instilling a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, day-to-day campaign management, and team leadership, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree
Experience: 6+ years in programmatic advertising, with 3+ years in client-facing roles
Required Skills:
- Extensive knowledge of the DSP and SSP landscape
- Experience leveraging these platforms for precise audience targeting and segmentation
- Previous hands-on keyboard expertise in platforms such as The Trade Desk, Nexxen, Yahoo!, and GoogleAds
- Experience in executing and managing campaigns across multiple channels
- 3+ years managing hands-on keyboard teams, including recruitment, talent development, and performance management
- Strong operational understanding of key programmatic elements like brand safety, ad viewability, and fraud prevention
- Analytical, detail-oriented, and skilled in Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- Strong leadership and communication skills
- Strong understanding of emerging trends and technologies in programmatic
- Background in an agency or in-house programmatic team
Preferred Skills:
- Working with healthcare or pharmaceutical brands
- Managing large-scale campaigns in the US market
- Collaborating in multi-agency or remote resource settings
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a proven track record in programmatic advertising, with a strong understanding of the industry's latest trends and technologies.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CAD 120,000 - CAD 160,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a mid-level programmatic role in Toronto)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan with company match
- Employee assistance program
- Generous time off policy
- Professional development opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible hours and a hybrid work arrangement (2-3 days on-site per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on market research for similar roles in Toronto. Benefits may vary and are subject to confirmation with the employer.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Klick is a leading independent commercialization partner for life sciences, specializing in brand strategy, clinical review, creative technology, and more.
Company Size: Klick has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Klick was founded in 1997 and has since grown to become a global leader in life sciences commercialization.
Company Description:
- Klick Health is the world’s largest independent commercialization partner for life sciences
- Focused on developing, launching, and supporting life sciences brands to maximize their full market potential
- Cultural emphasis on kindness, high performance, and mutual success
Company Specialties:
- Brand Strategy
- Clinical Review and Analysis
- Creative Technology
- CRM Strategy
- Digital Media
Company Website: www.klick.com
ASSUMPTION: Klick's extensive experience and global presence provide a stable and supportive environment for employees to grow and succeed.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-level, offering opportunities for growth and advancement within the programmatic team and the broader agency.
Reporting Structure: The Associate Director, Programmatic will report directly to the Director of Programmatic and oversee a team of junior programmatic traders.
Work Arrangement: This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, with 2-3 days on-site per week, providing flexibility and a balance between remote and in-office work.
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement to a Director or Senior Director role within the programmatic team
- Expansion into other areas of the agency, such as strategy, creative, or account management
- Opportunities to work on international accounts and gain global experience
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a clear path for career progression, with opportunities to specialize further in programmatic or explore other areas of the agency.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Klick's Toronto office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and productivity.
Office Location(s): 175 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R8, Canada
Geographic Context:
- Toronto is a multicultural city with a vibrant tech industry, offering ample opportunities for networking and professional growth
- The city is home to numerous life sciences and healthcare companies, providing a strong talent pool and industry connections
- Toronto has a diverse range of neighborhoods, offering various housing options and amenities
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and a hybrid work arrangement (2-3 days on-site per week)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement provides a good balance between remote work and in-office collaboration, allowing employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the HR team
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Case study or presentation preparation and presentation
- Final interview with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Programmatic expertise and strategic thinking
- Communication and presentation skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with Klick's values
Application Tips:
- Highlight your relevant experience and achievements in programmatic advertising
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your fit for this role and Klick's company culture
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your problem-solving skills and leadership style
ATS Keywords: Programmatic Advertising, Client Management, Team Management, Campaign Optimization, Data Analysis, DSP Knowledge, SSP Knowledge, Audience Targeting, Performance Management, Brand Safety, Ad Viewability, Fraud Prevention, Leadership, Communication, Emerging Trends, Technology Awareness
ASSUMPTION: Klick's application process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills, cultural fit, and ability to thrive in a dynamic, collaborative environment.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- The Trade Desk
- Nexxen
- Yahoo!
- Google Ads
- Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have hands-on experience with the listed tools and be comfortable learning and adapting to new technologies as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Kindness
- High Performance
- Mutual Success
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and open to feedback
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody Klick's values of kindness and high performance in your daily work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment or strategy?
- How do you approach mentoring and developing the skills of your team members?
ASSUMPTION: Klick's company culture emphasizes kindness, high performance, and mutual success, creating an environment where employees feel valued and supported.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple client campaigns simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills and time management
- Keeping up with the rapidly evolving programmatic landscape, necessitating continuous learning and adaptation
- Balancing strategic leadership with hands-on campaign management, demanding a versatile skill set
- Working in a hybrid environment, requiring strong communication and collaboration skills to maintain productivity and engagement
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong organizational skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and effective communication and collaboration.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other programmatic roles, this position requires a balance of strategic leadership and hands-on campaign management
- Klick's focus on life sciences and healthcare markets provides a unique opportunity to work on specialized campaigns
- This role offers a clear path for career progression, with opportunities to advance within the programmatic team or explore other areas of the agency
ASSUMPTION: This role stands out due to its blend of strategic and tactical responsibilities, as well as its focus on the life sciences and healthcare markets.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a programmatic strategy for a new pharmaceutical product launch
- Optimizing an existing campaign's performance through data analysis and strategic optimizations
- Managing a team to deliver high-quality client service and campaign execution for multiple clients
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects reflect the strategic, tactical, and leadership aspects of the Associate Director, Programmatic role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the broader programmatic team and agency structure?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the programmatic team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Klick support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the expected timeline for reviewing and filling this position?
- How does Klick approach work-life balance, particularly in a hybrid work environment?
ASSUMPTION: These questions help applicants better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, enabling them to make an informed decision about their fit for the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your problem-solving skills and leadership style
- Follow up with the HR team one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
