📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Associate, Programmatic
🔹 Company: Horizon Media
🔹 Location: New York, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 22, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading tactical programmatic media plans and in-platform setup/optimization
- Collaborating with associates on campaign set-up and tracking details
- Negotiating with publishers and platforms for improved performance
- Developing bidding and optimization plans
- Managing client accounts and ensuring intrateam alignment
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong programmatic media planner with hands-on experience to effectively translate programmatic expertise into tactical applications.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Strategic Planning & Optimizations (60%)
- Analytical planning: Use reporting to make data-driven decisions
- Tactical translation: Articulate how media strategy translates to programmatic plans
- Platform fluency: Collaborate with associates on in-platform campaign setup and tracking
- Optimization backup: Assist with campaign optimizations as needed
- Negotiation input: Lean in on negotiations with partners to maximize performance
- Bidding & optimization plan: Craft a thoughtful plan for bid adjustments and optimization levers
✅ Account Management (20%)
- Clear communication: Ensure intrateam alignment and anticipate potential confusion
- Opportunity identification: Surface areas for further education or test and learning options
✅ Learning & Development (20%)
- SME showcasing: Gain subject-matter expertise and practice speaking about programmatic concepts
- Knowledge share: Recognize opportunities to share noteworthy and thoughtful campaign approaches
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, tactical execution, and continuous learning to stay current with industry trends and best practices.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, or a related field
Experience: At least 2 years of in-platform programmatic experience
Required Skills:
- Advanced user of at least two DSPs (The Trade Desk, DV360, Walmart Connect, Amazon, Yahoo)
- Strong knowledge of statistical concepts relevant to optimization
- Proven ability to develop, implement, and improve business processes
- Proven ability to thrive in highly collaborative work environments
- Advanced user of Microsoft Excel
Preferred Skills:
- Experience mentoring junior employees
- Demonstrated success in driving partner negotiations to increased performance
- Demonstrated success in mapping analytical insights to plan development and optimization
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong foundation in programmatic media planning and a proven track record of driving performance through data-driven decision-making.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $64,350 - $85,000 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, Hybrid (2-3 days on-site per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a mid-level programmatic role in the New York area.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising & Marketing
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 1989
Company Description:
- Horizon Media is a leader in driving business-based outcomes for marketers
- Recognized as one of the world’s ten most innovative marketing and advertising companies
- Consistently named to Best Places to Work lists, including "Best Workplaces for Diversity," "Best Workplaces for Women," and "Best Workplaces for Millennials"
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 advertising agency with a strong focus on data-driven marketing strategies and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (2-5 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Manager, Programmatic
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2-3 days on-site per week)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to mentor junior employees and influence strategic decisions
- Opportunities to gain subject-matter expertise and advance within the programmatic team
- Possibility to explore other areas of interest within the agency, such as creative services or insights & analytics
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic and innovative advertising agency.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (2-3 days on-site per week)
Office Location(s): 75 Varick Street, New York, New York 10013, US
Geographic Context:
- New York City is a major hub for the advertising and marketing industry
- The office is located in the Hudson Square neighborhood, known for its vibrant arts and cultural scene
- The area offers easy access to public transportation and numerous dining and entertainment options
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and unlimited PTO
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, with opportunities to enjoy the vibrant New York City culture.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the Hiring Manager
- On-site or virtual interview with the Manager, Programmatic and a team member
- Final interview with the Director, Programmatic
Key Assessment Areas:
- Programmatic media planning and execution skills
- Data-driven decision-making and analytical skills
- Collaboration and communication skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Horizon Media's values
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant programmatic experience and achievements in your resume
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions focused on problem-solving, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making
- Research Horizon Media's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit
ATS Keywords: Programmatic media planning, data-driven decision-making, collaboration, hybrid work arrangement, New York City, advertising & marketing
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's technical skills, cultural fit, and ability to thrive in a collaborative work environment.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- The Trade Desk
- DV360
- Walmart Connect
- Amazon
- Yahoo
- Microsoft Excel
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in at least two DSPs and advanced Excel skills are required for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Accountability
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Work Style:
- Data-driven and analytical
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and flexible
- Results-focused and proactive
- Committed to continuous learning and improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach data-driven decision-making in programmatic media planning?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you collaborated with a team to optimize a programmatic campaign?
- How do you stay current with industry trends and best practices in programmatic media planning?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong fit with Horizon Media's values and work style, with a particular emphasis on data-driven decision-making, collaboration, and continuous learning.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple workstreams and clients simultaneously
- Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-evolving programmatic landscape
- Balancing the need for strategic thinking with tactical execution
- Adapting to a hybrid work arrangement and maintaining productivity
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong time management, adaptability, and a proactive approach to continuous learning and improvement.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from related positions in its focus on tactical programmatic media planning and optimization, rather than strategic planning or account management
- Industry-specific context: The advertising and marketing industry is highly competitive and dynamic, with a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making and innovation
- Career path comparison: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic and innovative advertising agency, with potential paths to management or specialized expertise
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of tactical and strategic responsibilities, with opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic and innovative advertising agency.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive programmatic media plan for a national retail client, including audience segmentation, channel allocation, and bidding strategies
- Optimizing a programmatic campaign for a CPG client to improve ROI by 20% within three months
- Collaborating with a cross-functional team to launch a new programmatic platform for a major publisher, including platform setup, testing, and optimization
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the candidate's ability to manage complex programmatic campaigns, optimize performance, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits within the programmatic team?
- How does Horizon Media support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Horizon Media approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring and workplace practices?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to succeed in them?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate the candidate's interest in understanding the role's context, team dynamics, and professional development opportunities.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant programmatic experience and achievements
- Prepare a cover letter that demonstrates your fit with Horizon Media's values and work style
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions focused on problem-solving, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making
- Follow up with the Hiring Manager one week after submitting your application 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.
