Programmatic Strategist

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Programmatic Strategist

🔹 Company: illumin

🔹 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (2 days on-site)

🔹 Category: Advertising Services

🔹 Date Posted: July 30, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Toronto, Canada)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and implementing comprehensive digital strategies for clients
• Creating tailored RFP responses to secure net new business
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive execution of sales strategies
• Staying up-to-date on industry developments and creative partnerships
• Leveraging data-driven audience segmentation and targeting techniques

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of digital advertising, programmatic media, and data-driven marketing. The ideal candidate will have experience working with DSPs and data-driven marketing solutions.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Grow our Programmatic Strategy by creating and implementing comprehensive digital strategies that align with business objectives

✅ Stay up-to-date on industry developments and creative partnerships to build effective RFP responses

✅ Apply media planning and buying expertise to provide clients with high-performance ad solutions

✅ Leverage data to develop sophisticated audience targeting strategies

✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive execution of sales strategies and seamless delivery of client campaigns

✅ Assess and respond to potential partnership solutions and shepherd them through the procurement process

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong relationship management skills, the ability to influence without authority, and a strong ability to prioritize tasks and communicate effectively.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field

Experience: Proven experience (2-5 years) in programmatic buying or strategic planning within the ad tech, digital media, or programmatic advertising industry

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in programmatic buying or strategic planning
• Strong understanding of digital advertising formats and programmatic media
• Familiarity with Microsoft and Google's suite of tools for building custom media plans
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with programmatic DSPs or similar ad tech platforms
• Exposure to multiple industry verticals and familiarity with different solutions in the programmatic and media landscape

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of what makes RFP submissions compelling in today's landscape for brands and agencies.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CAD 80,000 - 120,000 per year (based on industry standards for mid-level roles in Toronto)

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package
• Opportunities for career growth and development
• Dynamic and collaborative work environment

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexibility for remote work

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for mid-level roles in Toronto. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Advertising Services

Company Size: 201-500 employees

Founded: 2009

Company Description:

• illumin is a leading provider of journey advertising solutions, offering an AI-powered advertising technology platform that enables marketers to break free from siloed media buying and market to customers across multiple channels
• The company's platform provides an integrated space for journey planning, execution, and reporting, empowering marketers to connect with their audiences in powerful ways through real-time data and easy-to-use visual tools
• illumin is committed to diversity and inclusion, offering equitable opportunities in employment and providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment

Company Specialties:

• Online Display Advertising
• Demand Side Platform (DSP)
• Programmatic Marketing
• Media Buying
• Advertising
• Display Marketing
• Video Marketing
• Mobile Marketing
• Data Management Platform (DMP)
• Omnichannel Consumer Journey Platform

Company Website: http://www.illumin.com

ASSUMPTION: illumin is a well-established company in the advertising services industry, with a strong focus on data-driven marketing and innovative technology solutions.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years of experience)

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Director of Programmatic Strategy

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2 days on-site in Toronto, with flexibility for remote work)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to gain exposure to various industry verticals and develop expertise across diverse areas of the business
• Opportunities to influence the product roadmap and contribute to the company's transformation
• Potential to advance to leadership roles within the agency or adtech industry

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development, both within the company and the broader industry.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (2 days on-site, 3 days remote)

Office Location(s): 70 University Ave, 1200, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2M4, CA

Geographic Context:

• Toronto is a multicultural city with a vibrant tech industry and a strong job market
• The office is located in the downtown core, offering easy access to public transportation and amenities
• The city is known for its high cost of living, but also offers a high quality of life

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexibility for remote work

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a good balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing employees to enjoy the best of both worlds.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Virtual interview with a Talent Advisor to discuss interest in the role and showcase content created
• Virtual interview with the Director of Programmatic Strategy to share experience and knowledge
• Panel interview with the VP, Sales Enablement and a senior sales leader to learn about team dynamics and ask final questions

Key Assessment Areas:

• Understanding of digital advertising and programmatic media
• Ability to develop and implement comprehensive digital strategies
• Communication and presentation skills
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with company values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
• Prepare examples of RFP responses or media plans you've developed in the past
• Be ready to discuss your understanding of the programmatic ecosystem and industry trends

ATS Keywords: Programmatic Buying, Digital Advertising, Media Strategy, RFP Development, Client Management, Data-Driven Marketing, Audience Targeting, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Sales Strategy, Measurement Solutions, Creative Solutions, Inventory Management, Forecasting Strategies, DSPs, Real-Time Bidding, Strategic Planning

ASSUMPTION: The interview process is designed to assess the candidate's technical skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit with the company.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft and Google's suite of tools
• DSPs (Demand-Side Platforms)
• Data-driven marketing solutions
• RFP response software (e.g., RFP360, RFP365)

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with relevant tools and technologies, such as DSPs and data-driven marketing solutions.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Speed: We move quickly and deliver results
• Delivery over perfection: We focus on execution and continuous improvement
• Entrepreneurial mindset: We embrace change and take ownership of our work

Work Style:

• Collaborative: We work closely with internal teams and clients to achieve common goals
• Adaptable: We embrace change and pivot when necessary
• Data-driven: We make decisions based on data and insights

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment?
• Are you comfortable working with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines?
• Do you have a strong bias for speed and delivery over perfection?

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be a strong cultural fit with illumin's values and work style, with a bias for speed, delivery, and continuous improvement.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple RFP responses simultaneously with tight deadlines
• Keeping up with the fast-paced nature of the adtech industry and evolving client needs
• Balancing on-site collaboration with remote work responsibilities
• Navigating a large and diverse client base with varying needs and expectations

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and managing multiple priorities effectively.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from traditional media planning and buying roles in its focus on programmatic strategy and RFP development
• Compared to other adtech roles, this position offers more visibility and influence in the sales process and client relationships
• Career paths for this role may include advancement to leadership positions within the agency or adtech industry

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for career growth and development within the adtech industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive digital strategy for a healthcare client, including audience segmentation, targeting, and measurement
• Creating an RFP response for a retail client, highlighting illumin's advanced programmatic solutions and measurement capabilities
• Collaborating with the product team to assess potential partnership solutions and shepherd them through the procurement process

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and opportunities for the Programmatic Strategist role at illumin.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does the Programmatic Strategy team partner with sales to ensure cohesive execution of sales strategies?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare for them?
• How does illumin support the growth and development of its employees?
• What are the most rewarding aspects of working at illumin, according to current employees?
• How does illumin approach work-life balance, especially for hybrid and remote employees?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help you better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, allowing you to make an informed decision about your application.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
• Prepare examples of RFP responses or media plans you've developed in the past
• Be ready to discuss your understanding of the programmatic ecosystem and industry trends
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.