📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Programmatic Buyer
🔹 Company: Dentsu
🔹 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 2, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Owning account management planning, set up, and activation of programmatic campaigns for a portfolio of clients.
- Working closely with a team of programmatic specialists and traders to service different client teams within the agency.
- Providing leadership and mentorship to team members while collaborating with client teams to deliver superior programmatic offerings.
- Demonstrating strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and time management skills to meet client objectives.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proactive and team-oriented individual with a strong leadership aptitude to succeed.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Provide oversight of programmatic campaigns across various platforms to a team of programmatic specialists and traders.
✅ Lead discussions about potential campaigns and attend new campaign briefings, including assisting with the RFP creation.
✅ Project and account management of campaign from beginning to end – from initial briefings, planning, platform(s) setup and go-live to post reporting.
✅ Ensure all media plan requirements are correctly communicated to all relevant teams and entered accurately in the appropriate platforms.
✅ Work effectively with internal and external partners including planners and media partners.
✅ Provide leadership on post launch audits, campaign optimizations & pacing on campaigns.
✅ Address and solve any potential challenges or opportunities within live campaigns.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of multitasking and requires strong organizational skills to manage multiple campaigns simultaneously.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
Experience: 3-5 years of programmatic experience.
Required Skills:
- In-depth knowledge of DSPs including DV360, Amazon, Teads, and The Trade Desk.
- Understanding of tagging, ad serving, and campaign management tools.
- Strong problem-solving and critical analysis skills.
- Desire to continuously learn and develop.
- Aptitude to build and maintain strong working relationships.
- Excellent communication and writing skills.
- Ability to lead a team and strong attention to detail.
- Advanced Excel & PowerPoint knowledge.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with additional DSPs or ad tech platforms.
- Fluency in additional languages (beneficial but not required).
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in a fast-paced agency environment and familiarity with multiple DSPs will be at an advantage.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $70,000 - $75,000 per year. Actual salary within the range will be based on relevant experience, knowledge, and skills.
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, RRSP, and paid time off.
Working Hours: Full-time position with standard business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with flexibility as needed).
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in Toronto. Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Dentsu operates in the advertising services industry, focusing on marketing communications, advertising, media planning, and media buying.
Company Size: Dentsu is a large organization with over 10,000 employees globally, offering opportunities for career growth and collaboration with diverse teams.
Founded: Dentsu was founded in 1901 and has since grown into a global network with a strong presence in Japan, North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Company Description:
- Dentsu is a global media, creative, and digital agency that helps brands connect with consumers through innovative and data-driven solutions.
- The company offers a wide range of services, including advertising, media planning and buying, digital marketing, and creative services.
- Dentsu is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment that fosters innovation and creativity.
Company Specialties:
- Marketing communications
- Advertising
- Media planning
- Media buying
- People-Based Marketing
- Creative
- Innovation
- Data and Technology
Company Website: https://www.dentsu.com/
ASSUMPTION: Dentsu's extensive global network and diverse client base offer unique opportunities for professional growth and exposure to various industries.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is suitable for an experienced professional looking to take on a leadership position within the programmatic buying team.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Programmatic Buyer will report directly to the Programmatic Director and oversee a team of programmatic specialists and traders.
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position based in Toronto, with the possibility of occasional remote work for meetings or specific projects.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Programmatic Director or Manager role within the agency.
- Expansion into other areas of media planning, buying, or digital marketing.
- Cross-functional collaboration with other departments to gain a broader understanding of the agency's operations.
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will have the opportunity to grow within the agency and take on more responsibilities as they develop their skills and expertise.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Dentsu's Toronto office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and innovation.
Office Location(s): 1 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5J 2P7, Canada
Geographic Context:
- Toronto is a multicultural city with a vibrant arts and entertainment scene, offering a high quality of life for residents.
- The city is home to a thriving advertising and marketing industry, with numerous agencies and clients based in the area.
- Toronto's central location in Eastern Canada makes it an ideal hub for regional and national campaigns.
Work Schedule: Standard business hours with flexibility for meetings or specific project requirements.
ASSUMPTION: The dynamic and collaborative work environment at Dentsu's Toronto office provides an ideal setting for professionals to grow and succeed in their careers.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen to assess cultural fit and basic qualifications.
- In-depth behavioral interview to discuss past experiences, problem-solving skills, and leadership style.
- Final interview with the Programmatic Director or another senior team member to discuss the role's specifics and answer any questions.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Problem-solving skills and critical analysis.
- Leadership and team management abilities.
- Communication and interpersonal skills.
- Technical knowledge of DSPs and ad tech platforms.
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience with DSPs and ad tech platforms in your resume.
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and your enthusiasm for working at Dentsu.
- Prepare examples of successful programmatic campaigns you've managed or contributed to in the past.
ATS Keywords: Programmatic, DSP, DV360, Amazon, Teads, The Trade Desk, campaign management, leadership, team management, problem-solving, critical analysis, communication.
ASSUMPTION: Dentsu's recruitment process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills, cultural fit, and potential for growth within the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- DV360
- Amazon Advertising Platform
- The Trade Desk
- Teads
- Excel & PowerPoint
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and platforms is essential for success in this role, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency during the interview process.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Collaboration
- Creativity
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Team-oriented and collaborative
- Proactive and solution-driven
- Adaptable and open to learning new skills
- Results-focused and committed to delivering high-quality work
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach collaborating with team members to achieve common goals?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a new tool or platform to complete a task?
- How do you ensure that you maintain a strong work-life balance while managing multiple projects and deadlines?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Dentsu's core values and work style will be better positioned to succeed in the role and contribute to the agency's continued growth and success.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple campaigns simultaneously may require strong organizational skills and time management.
- Keeping up with the latest trends and developments in the rapidly evolving programmatic advertising landscape.
- Balancing the need for strategic, long-term planning with the ability to adapt to short-term changes in client objectives or market conditions.
- Effectively communicating complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will be able to overcome these challenges by leveraging their strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other senior programmatic buying roles, this position places a greater emphasis on leadership and team management responsibilities.
- Dentsu's global presence and diverse client base offer unique opportunities for professional growth and exposure to various industries not typically available in smaller agencies.
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into a programmatic director or manager position, or expanding into other areas of media planning, buying, or digital marketing.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider their long-term career goals and how this role fits into their overall professional development plan when evaluating this opportunity.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive programmatic strategy for a major retail client, including cross-channel integration and optimization.
- Conducting a thorough audit of an existing programmatic campaign and implementing improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
- Collaborating with a cross-functional team to create a custom, data-driven programmatic solution for a unique client challenge.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of responsibilities and opportunities available to a Senior Programmatic Buyer at Dentsu.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the programmatic buying department?
- How does Dentsu support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the programmatic buying team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Dentsu approach work-life balance, and what resources are available to support employees in maintaining a healthy equilibrium?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days, and how will success be measured?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the organization's culture and priorities.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the following link: https://dentsuaegis.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/DAN_GLOBAL/job/Toronto/Senior-Programmatic-Buyer_R1089247
- Tailor your resume to highlight your relevant experience with DSPs, ad tech platforms, and campaign management.
- Write a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and your enthusiasm for working at Dentsu.
- Prepare examples of successful programmatic campaigns you've managed or contributed to in the past.
- 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.
