📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Group Director, Programmatic
🔹 Company: Horizon Media
🔹 Location: New York, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Advertising Services
🔹 Date Posted: April 8, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving business growth through strategic programmatic leadership
- Managing client expectations and overseeing activation responsibilities
- Providing thought leadership and account management
- Fostering a culture of continuous learning and development
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, client management, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in programmatic media and a proven track record of driving business growth.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Thought Leadership (60%):
- Steer client deliverables with macro business strategy aptitude and subject matter expertise
- Serve as the main escalation point for all escalation-worthy items on the portfolio of business
- Delight clients with knowledge shares and ideas about their business through the lens of programmatic topics
- Codify and role model big picture strategic thinking into tactical planning frameworks for the team
✅ Account Management (20%):
- Serve as the main escalation point for all escalation-worthy items on the portfolio of business
- Establish and administer a process for monthly QA checks on a portfolio level
- Manage the health of accounts across client contacts and all internal stakeholders
✅ Learning & Development (20%):
- Coordinate and maintain intra-Horizon integration opportunities
- Evaluate and improve the structure and content for ongoing training and skill development for the team
✅ Additional Responsibilities:
- Maintain critical relationships to ensure clients experience the full potential of Horizon's offerings
- Assist with new business targets and participate in new business efforts
- Serve as a thought leader to industry publications and conference speaking opportunities
- Monitor team bandwidth and optimize workload as necessary
- Ensure a positive working relationship with the team and all stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, client management, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in programmatic media and a proven track record of driving business growth.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Business, or a related field
Experience: 10+ years of related work experience in programmatic media roles (Agency, Publisher, Ad Tech, Networks, etc.)
Required Skills:
- Significant and demonstrated experience in programmatic media, including managing capabilities and shaping service area design
- Strong client-facing voice and experience being a client and team lead
- Ability to quickly learn new services and dashboards and train staff on new ad product offerings
- Ability to educate and explain the role of Programmatic in service of client’s business objectives
- An affinity for data and the technical aspects of the operation
Preferred Skills:
- Direct hands-on experience in online advertising environments
- Experience in operations and operational strategy
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in programmatic media and a proven track record of driving business growth. They will also possess strong client management skills and the ability to think strategically.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $170,000.00 - $195,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health Insurance Coverage
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Retirement Savings Plans
- Company Paid Holidays
- Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Mental Health and Wellness Resources
- Pet Insurance
- Childcare Resources
- Identity Theft Insurance
- Fertility Assistance Programs
- Fitness Reimbursement
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM EST, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for similar roles in the New York area. Benefits are comprehensive and designed to support the well-being of employees.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising Services. Horizon Media is a leader in driving business-based outcomes for marketers, with estimated billings of $8.7 billion and over 2,300 employees.
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees. Horizon Media is a mid-sized company with a strong presence in the advertising industry.
Founded: 1989. Horizon Media was founded by Bill Koenigsberg, who has earned numerous industry accolades and was inducted into the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Hall of Fame in 2019.
Company Description:
- Horizon Media is a leader in driving business-based outcomes for marketers, with estimated billings of $8.7 billion and over 2,300 employees.
- The company was founded in 1989, is headquartered in New York, and has offices in Los Angeles and Toronto.
- Horizon Media has been named Media Agency of the Year by MediaPost, Adweek, and AdAge, and is known for its highly personal approach to client service.
Company Specialties:
- Sports and Entertainment
- Social Media
- Media Buying
- Direct Marketing
- Social Design
- Social Buying
- Insights & Analytics
- Virtual/Augmented Reality
- SEO
- Mobile
- National & Local TV Investment
- Audio Investment
- Creative Services
Company Website: www.horizonmedia.com
ASSUMPTION: Horizon Media is a well-established company in the advertising industry with a strong reputation for driving business-based outcomes for its clients.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Experienced professional with a focus on strategic programmatic leadership
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the President, CEO, and Founder of Horizon Media, Bill Koenigsberg.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a mix of on-site and remote work
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a leadership role within the programmatic team or the broader agency
- Opportunities to work on high-profile client accounts and drive business growth
- Chance to develop and mentor junior team members
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a significant impact on the company's programmatic capabilities and client relationships.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid, with a mix of on-site and remote work
Office Location(s): 75 Varick Street, New York, New York 10013, US; 1888 Century Park East, Los Angeles, California 90067, US; 40 King Street West, WeWork 41st Floor, Ontarion, Ontario M5H 3Y2, CA
Geographic Context:
- The New York office is located in the heart of Manhattan, offering easy access to public transportation and numerous amenities
- The Los Angeles office is situated in the Westside of Los Angeles, close to numerous entertainment and cultural attractions
- The Toronto office is located in the heart of the city's financial district, with easy access to public transportation and numerous dining and entertainment options
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM EST, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing employees to optimize their work environment based on their individual needs and preferences.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the HR team
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members
- Final interview with the President, CEO, and Founder of Horizon Media, Bill Koenigsberg
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Client management and communication skills
- Technical knowledge of programmatic media and advertising technology
- Cultural fit and alignment with Horizon Media's values and mission
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with programmatic media and provide specific examples of your achievements in this area
- Research Horizon Media and be ready to discuss why you are a good fit for the company's culture and values
ATS Keywords: Programmatic Media, Strategic Thinking, Client Management, Advertising Technology, Hybrid Work Arrangement, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto
ASSUMPTION: The interview process at Horizon Media is designed to assess the candidate's strategic thinking, client management, and technical skills, as well as their cultural fit with the company's values and mission.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Programmatic advertising platforms (e.g., Google Display & Video 360, The Trade Desk, AppNexus)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Teams)
- Advertising industry-specific tools and platforms (e.g., Nielsen, comScore, Kantar)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with a range of programmatic advertising platforms, data analysis tools, and advertising industry-specific tools and platforms.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity: We act with honesty and transparency in all our interactions
- Innovation: We continuously seek new and better ways to drive business outcomes for our clients
- Collaboration: We work together to achieve our goals and support each other's success
- Accountability: We take ownership of our responsibilities and deliver on our commitments
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: We foster a culture where everyone feels welcomed, safe, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work
Work Style:
- Strategic and forward-thinking
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Client-focused and results-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach integrating new ad product offerings into your team's workflow?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you educated a client on the role of programmatic in service of their business objectives?
- How do you balance the need for strategic thinking with the day-to-day management of client accounts?
ASSUMPTION: Horizon Media values a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment, and seeks candidates who are aligned with its commitment to these principles.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing client expectations and ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality work
- Staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the rapidly evolving programmatic media landscape
- Balancing the need for strategic thinking with the day-to-day management of client accounts
- Managing a team of talented and experienced professionals, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to navigate these challenges with a combination of strong strategic thinking, client management, and operational excellence.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on strategic programmatic leadership and its hybrid work arrangement
- Compared to other roles in the advertising industry, this role offers a high level of strategic responsibility and the opportunity to drive business growth for clients
- Career path comparison: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to grow into a leadership role within the programmatic team or the broader agency
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on strategic programmatic leadership and its hybrid work arrangement, offering a high level of strategic responsibility and the opportunity to drive business growth for clients.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive programmatic strategy for a major retail client, driving a 25% increase in online sales
- Leading a team of programmatic specialists in the development and execution of a targeted advertising campaign for a political candidate, resulting in a 15% increase in voter turnout
- Managing a portfolio of client accounts, including the development and execution of programmatic strategies, and driving a 10% increase in overall client satisfaction scores
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic and client-focused nature of this role, and the opportunity to drive business growth through effective programmatic media strategies.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the company's approach to programmatic media and how this role fits into that strategy?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance and flexibility for hybrid work arrangements?
- How does the company measure the success of its programmatic media strategies, and how would this role contribute to that effort?
- What is the company's culture like, and how does this role contribute to that culture?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to assess the company's approach to programmatic media, professional development, work-life balance, and cultural fit for the ideal candidate.
📌 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 your interview by researching Horizon Media and the advertising industry, and be ready to discuss your experience with programmatic media and your approach to strategic thinking and client management
- Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of your interview to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
