🔹 Job Title: Associate Director, Programmatic
🔹 Company: IPG Mediabrands
🔹 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-30
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid
Key aspects of this role include:
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage and lead a team.
✅ Act as the subject matter expert for programmatic strategy, providing informed channel and platform recommendations. Develop targeted, innovative programmatic campaigns aligned with client strategies and business objectives.
✅ Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for agency partners and clients, ensuring clear communication and alignment
✅ Manage the programmatic team’s operations, including task management through Asana and maintaining efficient workflows.
✅ Oversee the team in running and optimizing campaigns with different goals/KPIs. Ensure DSP recommendations made are based on historical performance against each KPI with consideration for broader agency objectives.
✅ Confidently and effectively communicate and recommend technical solutions with agency partners that drive client business results.
✅ Build and maintain strong relationships with vendor partners to identify emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities for client growth.
✅ Proactively manage potential issues that may be flagged by senior management or team members regarding campaign performance overall and identify opportunities for optimization.
✅ Accountable for reviewing and approving campaigns and ensuring budgets align, naming conventions are accurate, and selecting proper DSP’s to align with campaign goals.
✅ Ensure that client expectations are met and adapt or make recommendations to adjust as required.
✅ Support finance primes and senior leadership team with pulling ad hoc reports and drawing meaningful insights to support business decisions.
✅ In partnership with Director, make recommendations to implement process improvements that better set up the team to perform more efficiently and effectively.
✅ Ensure processes are effectively communicated and consistently adhered to by team members.
✅ Deep understanding of organization’s business objectives and challenges; proactively uncover new opportunities for products and solution offerings.
✅ Act as a subject matter expert and further develop partnerships with DSP (demand side platform) partners to ensure awareness of new features and address technical issues.
✅ Accountable for ensuring all team members are trained in required areas and have completed required certifications (Adobe, Google, etc.).
✅ Oversee the team and ensure they are utilizing advanced optimization techniques.
✅ Proactively presents strategic brand solutions to client teams.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage and lead a team. It requires a deep understanding of programmatic campaign management and a strong analytical mindset.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, or a related field
Experience: 5-10 years of experience in programmatic campaign management, display, video, audio, CTV, DOOH, trafficking, or ad operations
Required Skills:
Preferred Skills:
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a professional or educational background in marketing or advertising and advanced experience in programmatic display, video, audio, CTV, and DOOH. Strong communication skills, organizational skills, and the ability to foster relationships with media partners and clients are essential.
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 CAD per year (Estimated based on industry standards for this role and experience level)
Benefits:
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling options
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for this role and experience level. Benefits are comprehensive and focus on work-life balance and employee well-being.
Industry: Advertising Services
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Global presence with extensive resources and opportunities for growth)
Founded: 1968 (As Interpublic Group, IPG Mediabrands is a division established in 2018)
Company Description:
Company Specialties:
Company Website: www.ipgmediabrands.com
ASSUMPTION: IPG Mediabrands is a large, global company with extensive resources and opportunities for growth. It offers a broad portfolio of industry sectors and specializes in various advertising services.
Career Level: Mid-Senior level, with potential for growth into a Director role
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director, Programmatic
Work Arrangement: Hybrid work model, with a flexible schedule that allows for remote work and in-office collaboration
Growth Opportunities:
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the programmatic team and the broader IPG Mediabrands organization.
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with state-of-the-art technology and amenities
Office Location(s): Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Geographic Context:
Work Schedule: Flexible hybrid work model, with a mix of remote and in-office work
ASSUMPTION: The Toronto office provides a modern, collaborative work environment with access to state-of-the-art technology and amenities. The city offers a high quality of life with access to arts, culture, sports, and recreational activities.
Typical Process:
Key Assessment Areas:
Application Tips:
ATS Keywords: Programmatic, Campaign Management, Strategy, Optimization, Leadership, Team Management, Advertising, Marketing, Client Servicing, Communication, Analytics, Problem Solving, Client Relationships, Media Partners, Vendor Partnerships, DSP, Exchange-Based Media Buying, Audience-Based Campaigns, KPIs, Client Business Goals, Technical Solutions, Process Improvement, Advanced Optimization Techniques, Brand Solutions
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role involves a typical interview process with a focus on assessing strategic thinking, communication, and technical skills. Applicants should tailor their resumes and cover letters to highlight their relevant experience and skills and prepare for behavioral and technical interview questions.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in various DSPs, exchange-based media buying platforms, and ad serving and campaign management tools. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and project management tools is also essential.
Company Values:
Work Style:
Self-Assessment Questions:
ASSUMPTION: IPG Mediabrands values collaboration, creativity, expertise, integrity, and respect. Applicants should assess their fit with these values and the company's work style, which is collaborative, fast-paced, data-driven, creative, client-focused, and results-oriented.
ASSUMPTION: This role may present challenges related to team management, continuous learning, balancing creativity and data-driven decision-making, and working with multiple stakeholders. Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills are essential to overcome these challenges.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers more responsibility and growth opportunities compared to junior or entry-level positions and requires a strong understanding of programmatic campaign management and data-driven decision-making.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic thinking, creativity, and data-driven approach required for this role.
ASSUMPTION: These key questions help applicants understand the role's priorities, fit within the organization, challenges, professional development opportunities, and performance metrics.
To apply for this position:
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.