📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Programmatic Channels Specialist
🔹 Company: Microsoft
🔹 Location: Redmond, WA (Primary) & New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; Mountain View, CA (Remote)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 12, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Primary) & Remote (Flexible)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and driving channel level best practices for Microsoft's programmatic advertising strategies.
- Providing strategic consultation on programmatic campaigns across all lines of business.
- Driving innovation in Microsoft's programmatic advertising strategies.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals and empower every person and organization on the planet.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of programmatic advertising, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage ambiguity in a dynamic, global environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Developing and implementing channel level best practices for Microsoft's programmatic advertising strategies.
✅ Providing strategic consultation on programmatic campaigns across all lines of business, including Xbox, Windows, Surface, and more.
✅ Driving innovation in Microsoft's programmatic advertising strategies by staying up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies.
✅ Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including media agencies, demand-side platforms (DSPs), and supply-side platforms (SSPs), to achieve shared goals.
✅ Managing ambiguity and making data-driven decisions in a dynamic, global environment.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high degree of autonomy and the ability to work effectively in a matrixed organization.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Business, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
Experience: 5-10 years of experience in programmatic advertising, with a focus on channel strategy and campaign management.
Required Skills:
- Proven expertise in programmatic advertising, including demand-side platforms (DSPs) and supply-side platforms (SSPs).
- Strong analytical skills and experience working with data to inform decision-making.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Proven ability to manage ambiguity and work effectively in a dynamic, global environment.
- Fluency in English.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with Microsoft's advertising platforms or other large, global organizations.
- Fluency in additional languages, such as Spanish, Mandarin, or Japanese.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the gaming industry or working with gaming-related brands may have a competitive advantage for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $180,000 per year (based on industry standards for a mid-senior level marketing role in the Seattle area)
Benefits:
- Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
- 401(k) matching and employee stock purchase plan.
- Generous time off, including vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.
- Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities.
- Employee discounts on Microsoft products and services.
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexible work arrangements available.
ASSUMPTION: Salary range is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Microsoft operates in the technology industry, with a focus on software development, hardware manufacturing, and services. The company is a global leader in its field, with a market capitalization of over $2 trillion.
Company Size: Microsoft is a large enterprise with over 180,000 employees worldwide. This size offers opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse projects and teams.
Founded: Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. The company has since grown to become a multinational technology corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells computer software, consumer electronics, and personal computers and services.
Company Description:
- Microsoft is committed to empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
- The company's mission is to build best-in-class platforms and productivity services for a mobile, cloud-first world.
- Microsoft values respect, integrity, and accountability, fostering a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Company Specialties:
- Operating systems and applications software (Windows, Office, etc.)
- Server applications (Azure, SQL Server, etc.)
- Hardware (Surface, Xbox, etc.)
- Search engine (Bing)
- Cloud computing services (Azure)
Company Website: https://www.microsoft.com
ASSUMPTION: Microsoft's large size and global presence offer unique opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse projects and teams.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Global Media Team and works cross-functionally with various lines of business, including Xbox, Windows, Surface, and more.
Work Arrangement: This role is primarily on-site in Redmond, WA, with flexible remote work options available.
Growth Opportunities:
- Expanding one's expertise in programmatic advertising and digital marketing.
- Gaining experience working with a global, matrixed organization.
- Developing leadership and management skills by mentoring junior team members and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within Microsoft's global media team.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Microsoft's Redmond, WA campus is a state-of-the-art facility with modern amenities, including cafes, fitness centers, and collaborative workspaces.
Office Location(s): Redmond, WA (Primary) & New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; Mountain View, CA (Remote)
Geographic Context:
- Redmond, WA: Located in the Seattle metropolitan area, Redmond offers a mix of urban and suburban living with a strong tech industry presence.
- New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; Mountain View, CA: These locations offer diverse cultural experiences and access to major markets for Microsoft's advertising efforts.
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexible work arrangements available.
ASSUMPTION: The primary work location for this role is Microsoft's Redmond, WA campus, with flexible remote work options available for qualified candidates.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with a member of the Global Media Team.
- On-site interview at Microsoft's Redmond, WA campus, including meetings with cross-functional stakeholders.
- Final interview with the hiring manager or a panel of senior leaders.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Programmatic advertising expertise and strategic thinking.
- Communication and presentation skills.
- Adaptability and ability to manage ambiguity.
- Cultural fit with Microsoft's values and work environment.
Application Tips:
- Highlight your relevant experience in programmatic advertising and channel strategy in your resume and cover letter.
- Demonstrate your understanding of Microsoft's business and advertising efforts in your application materials.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that assess your ability to manage ambiguity and work effectively in a dynamic, global environment.
- Showcase your passion for Microsoft's mission and values in your interview responses.
ATS Keywords: Programmatic advertising, channel strategy, campaign management, data-driven decision-making, cross-functional collaboration, global marketing, Microsoft, Xbox, Windows, Surface
ASSUMPTION: Microsoft's application process is competitive, and candidates should tailor their application materials to highlight their relevant experience and skills.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Demand-side platforms (DSPs), such as Google Display & Video 360, The Trade Desk, or AppNexus
- Supply-side platforms (SSPs), such as Google Ad Manager or OpenX
- Data visualization tools, such as Tableau or Power BI
- Microsoft's advertising platforms, including Bing Ads and LinkedIn Ads
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with Microsoft's advertising platforms is not required but may be beneficial for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Respect: We value diversity and inclusion, and we treat everyone with kindness, empathy, and respect.
- Integrity: We act with integrity and honesty in all our interactions.
- Accountability: We take responsibility for our actions and deliver on our commitments.
Work Style:
- Collaborative: We work together to achieve shared goals and empower each other to succeed.
- Adaptable: We embrace change and continuously learn and grow in a dynamic environment.
- Data-driven: We make decisions based on data and insights to inform our strategies and tactics.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate respect and inclusion in your daily work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to significant changes in your work environment?
- How do you use data to inform your decision-making processes?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Microsoft's values and work style will be more likely to succeed in this role and contribute to the company's mission.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing ambiguity and making data-driven decisions in a dynamic, global environment.
- Balancing the needs of multiple lines of business and stakeholders in a matrixed organization.
- Keeping up with the latest trends and technologies in programmatic advertising.
- Working effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners, such as media agencies and demand-side platforms.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to address these challenges in their application materials and interviews.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other senior programmatic channels specialist positions in the tech industry but may have a broader scope due to Microsoft's global presence and diverse lines of business.
- Compared to other marketing roles at Microsoft, this position requires a strong focus on programmatic advertising and channel strategy.
- Career paths for this role may include progression into leadership or management positions within Microsoft's global media team or other marketing functions.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should research similar roles and industry trends to better understand the requirements and opportunities for this position.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a global channel strategy for Microsoft's Xbox advertising efforts.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize programmatic campaigns for Microsoft's Windows and Surface products.
- Conducting a comprehensive analysis of Microsoft's programmatic advertising performance and identifying opportunities for improvement.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to illustrate the types of initiatives a senior programmatic channels specialist might work on at Microsoft.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into Microsoft's overall advertising strategy, and what are the key priorities for the first 90 days?
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Global Media Team, and how does this role collaborate with other functions?
- How does Microsoft support the professional development and growth of its employees in this role?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the programmatic advertising team, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Microsoft foster a culture of inclusion and diversity, and what initiatives are in place to support these values?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are intended to help candidates better understand the role, team dynamics, and company culture.
📌 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 in programmatic advertising and channel strategy.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that assess your ability to manage ambiguity and work effectively in a dynamic, global environment.
- Research Microsoft's business and advertising efforts to demonstrate your understanding of the company's mission and values.
- Follow up with the hiring manager or recruiter within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the role.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
