📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Director, Product - Programmatic Demand
🔹 Company: NBCUniversal
🔹 Location: New York, NY
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 8, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving customer innovation and delivering high-growth ad products across NBCUniversal's digital ecosystem
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and launch successful digital products
- Monitoring and optimizing programmatic deals and integrations with demand sources
- Managing product roadmaps and communicating timelines to stakeholders
- Mentoring and managing other product managers as the team grows
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the programmatic ecosystem and its main actors, as well as the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Source internal and external customer product needs to advocate for prioritized implementation with the Engineering team
✅ Lead day-to-day work on programmatic activation products, including ongoing product support
✅ Collaborate with Sales, Planning, Strategy, Product, and Engineering teams to deliver best-in-class product offerings
✅ Track and test key performance indicators to evaluate data and improve metrics
✅ Develop use cases and revenue justification/business value analysis in conjunction with the Strategy team
✅ Lead programmatic partner on-boarding and certification across NBCU and distributed partners on web, mobile apps, and OTT products
✅ Become an internal subject matter expert on programmatic and provide subject matter guidance to the larger team and Ad Sales organization, as needed
✅ Monitor and optimize programmatic deals in FreeWheel Markets Module, Google Ad Manager, Magnite, and other SSP/DSP systems
✅ Assist in deal setup to enable maximum spend across NBCU exchanges, PMP marketplace, and PG Deals
✅ Analyze SSP/DSP bid metrics to identify risk and work with partners towards resolution
✅ Maintain integrations with demand sources (display & video) to increase programmatic yield and selling opportunities
✅ Manage product roadmaps and effectively communicate timelines to all stakeholders by leading communication, prioritizing key features, and establishing timelines with external partner Engineering teams
✅ Lead commercialization process both internally and externally to ensure effective product launches
✅ Collaborate with Project Management and Product Marketing teams to ensure product enhancements are embedded in GTM collateral
✅ Document internal workflows with help from Product Marketing to ensure success of new-to-market product launches
✅ Document and detail user stories for Engineering team
✅ Stay apprised of competitive ad planning and optimization products in the marketplace
✅ Conduct frequent proof of concepts with cross-functional stakeholders to inform successes, roadblocks, or failed attempts at activating new product solutions
✅ Collaborate with Legal teams to understand implications of tasks involving audience/device data collection and/or off-domain non-NBCU content publisher partners
✅ Manage and mentor other product managers as the team grows
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize effectively to get things done.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 8+ years of experience working in digital media, involving programmatic activation, with a strong preference for experience in CTV
Required Skills:
- Proven expertise of the programmatic ecosystem, its main actors, and all the related product, business, and technical implications
- Proven track record of owning product solutions in cross-functional environments (ideally programmatic products)
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with the demonstrated ability to take the seed of an idea through launch while prioritizing effectively to get things done
- Knowledge of technical and operational product and project requirements
- Proven ability to understand and communicate using technical language (e.g., APIs, requirements documents, agile systems, etc.)
- Strong understanding of programmatic advertising standards (e.g., OpenRTB, VAST, app-ads.txt, etc.)
- Fluency with data; can dissect and interpret it to understand market dynamics and user behaviors, measure product performance, identify pinch-points, and inform decision making
Preferred Skills:
- Proven history of creative problem-solving with autonomy
- Ability to effectively communicate and influence across a variety of platforms, as needed (e.g., messenger, video conferences, in-person gatherings, phone, email, etc.)
- Demonstrated passion for programmatic advertising with commitment to delivering best-in-class advertising products and consumer experiences
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in CTV and a proven track record of delivering successful programmatic products in a cross-functional environment will be highly competitive for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $170,000 - $210,000 (bonus and long-term incentive eligible)
Benefits:
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid Leave
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Discounts
- Perks
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for a senior director role in the advertising and marketing field, with experience level and location taken into account.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: NBCUniversal is a leading entertainment and media company, operating in the highly competitive and dynamic entertainment providers industry
Company Size: With over 10,000 employees, NBCUniversal is a large company that offers numerous opportunities for career growth and development
Founded: NBCUniversal was founded in 2004, following the acquisition of Universal Studios by General Electric's NBC
Company Description:
- Creates world-class content across film, television, and streaming platforms
- Owns and operates leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock
- Produces and distributes premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group
- Has world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences
Company Specialties:
- Content creation and distribution
- Advertising and marketing
- Theme parks and consumer experiences
Company Website: NBCUniversal.com
ASSUMPTION: NBCUniversal's diverse portfolio of brands and platforms provides a unique opportunity for candidates to work on a wide range of advertising and marketing initiatives.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Director roles typically represent the highest level of management within a specific product or functional area, reporting directly to a Vice President or higher
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Vice President, Product, Programmatic Demand
Work Arrangement: This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, with employees contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to mentor and manage other product managers as the team grows
- Opportunity to collaborate with various teams and contribute to the development and launch of successful digital products
- Potential to expand the role's scope and influence as the programmatic demand team grows
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within NBCUniversal's Advertising Platforms & Operations division.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: NBCUniversal's headquarters in New York City features a modern, collaborative work environment with state-of-the-art technology and amenities
Office Location(s): 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City, NY 10112-0002, US
Geographic Context:
- New York City is a major global hub for the media and entertainment industry
- The city offers a wide range of cultural, recreational, and dining options, as well as easy access to public transportation
- New York City is known for its fast-paced, competitive work environment, which may appeal to candidates seeking a challenging and dynamic workplace
Work Schedule: This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, with employees contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility and a better work-life balance, while still providing opportunities for in-person collaboration and networking.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with a member of the HR team
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and other team members
- Final round interview with senior leadership
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical expertise in programmatic advertising and digital media
- Product management skills and experience
- Collaboration and communication skills
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Alignment with NBCUniversal's company culture and values
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 activation and CTV in your interview
- Showcase your ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment and drive product innovation
- Research NBCUniversal's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit for the organization
ATS Keywords: Programmatic Activation, CTV, Digital Media, Product Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Data Analysis, Technical Communication, Advertising Standards, Problem-Solving, Product Launches, Performance Metrics
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should tailor their resumes and cover letters to highlight their relevant experience and skills, and be prepared to discuss their qualifications for the role in detail during the interview process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- FreeWheel Markets Module
- Google Ad Manager
- Magnite
- SSP/DSP systems (e.g., OpenRTB, VAST, app-ads.txt)
- APIs, requirements documents, agile systems
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is essential for success in this role, as they are used to monitor and optimize programmatic deals and integrations with demand sources.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Inclusion: We strive to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture where everyone feels supported, embraced, and heard
- Empowerment: We empower our employees to create and deliver content that reflects the current and ever-changing face of the world
- Excellence: We strive for excellence in all aspects of our business, from content creation to advertising solutions
Work Style:
- Collaborative: We work closely with our partners and teams to deliver best-in-class products and consumer experiences
- Innovative: We embrace change and continuously seek new ways to improve our products and services
- Data-driven: We use data to inform our decision-making and drive continuous improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong passion for programmatic advertising and a commitment to delivering best-in-class advertising products and consumer experiences?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and collaborating with cross-functional teams?
- Do you have a proven track record of driving product innovation and delivering successful digital products in a cross-functional environment?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should assess their fit with NBCUniversal's company culture and values, as well as their ability to work effectively in a collaborative, innovative, and data-driven environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The fast-paced and dynamic nature of the digital media and advertising industries can present challenges in keeping up with the latest trends and technologies
- Working in a cross-functional environment can require strong communication and collaboration skills to manage multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
- The hybrid work arrangement may present challenges in maintaining productivity and engagement when working remotely
- The competitive nature of the entertainment providers industry can create challenges in standing out and driving success for NBCUniversal's advertising products
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to navigate these potential challenges and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and competitive work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on programmatic activation products within NBCUniversal's digital ecosystem, with a strong preference for CTV experience
- Compared to other product management roles in the advertising and marketing industry, this role requires a deep understanding of the programmatic ecosystem and its main actors
- Career paths for this role may include progression to Vice President or other senior leadership positions within NBCUniversal's Advertising Platforms & Operations division
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be aware of the unique aspects of this role and how it compares to other product management roles in the industry, in order to assess their fit and potential career growth opportunities.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and launching a new programmatic activation product for NBCUniversal's CTV platform
- Optimizing programmatic deals and integrations with demand sources to increase yield and selling opportunities
- Conducting proof of concepts with cross-functional stakeholders to inform successes, roadblocks, or failed attempts at activating new product solutions
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the types of initiatives that a Senior Director, Product - Programmatic Demand might work on, and provide insight into the role's focus on driving product innovation and optimizing programmatic deals.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most pressing challenges facing the programmatic demand team, and how can this role help address them?
- How does this role collaborate with other teams within NBCUniversal's Advertising Platforms & Operations division, and what are the key priorities for these partnerships?
- What opportunities exist for growth and development within this role and the programmatic demand team?
- How does NBCUniversal support work-life balance for employees, particularly those working in hybrid arrangements?
- What are the key performance indicators used to measure the success of programmatic activation products, and how are they tracked and optimized?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these key questions can help applicants better understand the role's priorities, expectations, and opportunities for growth and development.
📌 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, with a focus on programmatic activation and CTV experience
- Prepare for your interview by researching NBCUniversal's company culture and values, and be ready to discuss your qualifications for the role in detail
- If selected for an in-person interview, plan to travel to NBCUniversal's headquarters in New York City
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of your interview to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
