Director, Programmatic

KINESSO; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Flexible hybrid work model

Formal training opportunities

Job summary

KINESSO is seeking a Director, Programmatic in Toronto, Ontario to lead their programmatic business unit. This influential role requires an expert in digital media with over 8 years of experience in a hands-on programmatic setting. The ideal candidate will build strong client relationships, mentor their team, and assure operational excellence in media activation. Benefits include generous paid time off, flexible working models, and opportunities for professional growth within a global network of agencies.

Qualifications

• Minimum of eight (8) years' experience in paid digital media.
• Deep understanding of the programmatic ecosystem.
• Proficient in data analysis and emerging media technology.

Responsibilities

• Lead the programmatic business unit ensuring growth.
• Build trusted relationships with client teams.
• Mentor a team of professionals and manage performance.

Skills

Expert in programmatic media capabilities

Strong understanding of trafficking and website tagging

Excellent communication skills

Proficient with programmatic platforms

Client service focus

Education

University graduate and/or advertising/marketing degree

Tools

DV360

The Trade Desk

Amazon DSP

LiveRamp

Job description

The role of the Director, Programmatic is responsible for leading a programmatic business unit and ensuring its successful development and growth, from a business perspective and revenue perspective. This role includes the development of strong teams and successful client relationships. This individual will serve as a thought leader for the execution of world‑class programmatic and addressable media programs. The Director, Programmatic will collaborate with cross‑functional roles to deliver operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Expert in the client’s business and builds trusted partnerships with all levels of client teams.
• Proven expert in programmatic media capabilities, including DSPs, DMPs, data‑driven buying strategies, and addressable media activation; ability to find best‑in‑class solutions for clients and stay up‑to‑date with emerging tools/tech solutions; ability to evaluate and integrate new platforms independently into our product suite.
• Oversee team development and client service to ensure all needs are met.
• Lead and mentor a team of professionals. Effectively communicate agency goals, manage workloads, provide ongoing performance feedback, support professional development goals and inspire great results.
• Serves as a high‑level resource for team members for advice and counsel.
• Build team structure and organize positions as necessary to meet the growing needs of the organization.
• Take part in revenue and partner forecasting and ensure that the business expectations are met.
• Recognizes and acts on opportunities to develop business with clients.
• Proactively seek opportunities to improve processes, methods, systems and/or services to better serve the client and agency.
• Works with programmatic partners (DSPs, SSPs, data providers, ad verification vendors, 3rd party technology partners) to participate in quarterly business reviews and ensure that we are meeting/exceeding performance goals.
• Lead by example and play an active role in cultivating the culture of our organization.
• Cultivate strategic vendor and partner relationships to access alpha and beta opportunities, championing innovative programmatic solutions and ad formats that keep clients at the forefront of industry innovation.
• Provide strategic direction on presenting strategies/plans through to the client.
• Demonstrate thought‑leadership both internally and externally.
• Accountable for the achievement of goals and KPI’s for a portfolio of clients to ensure on‑time and complete delivery of campaigns.
• Remain up‑to‑date with new developments in the digital landscape and educate teams and clients as required.
• Collaborate with internal teams to test and adopt new processes/tools

Desired Skills & Experience

• Post‑Secondary education – University graduate and/or advertising/marketing college degree preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in paid digital media, with significant hands‑on programmatic buying and strategy experience.
• Deep understanding of the programmatic ecosystem including display, video, CTV/OTT, audio, DOOH, eCommerce and addressable media channels.
• Strong understanding of trafficking and website tagging processes.
• Proficient with programmatic platforms and tools (e.g. DV360, The Trade Desk, Amazon DSP, LiveRamp, Samsung DSP, Bell Marketing Platform, Yahoo, Roku etc.).
• History of developing positive on‑going business relationships, focus on client service.
• Previous experience managing a portfolio of clients or total ownership of one large complex account with multiple lines of business.
• Proven experience delivering inspiring and persuasive presentations.
• Solutions oriented and approaches obstacles with creativity and resolve.
• Ability to manage complexity across multiple groups, clients and interagency partners.
• Active involvement in developing capabilities of direct report(s) and prioritizing and delegating work accordingly.
• Ability to develop and foster strong relationships and partnerships internally and externally.
• Strong understanding of programmatic strategy across the full funnel, including audience segmentation, data activation, brand safety, viewability, and measurement frameworks.
• Proficient in data analysis, emerging media and technology.
• Strong learning agility, with a passion for continuous development.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Independent thinker with highly developed organizational skills and strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work well under pressure and multi‑task in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently.
• Ability to investigate, analyze & solve problems, and clearly communicate results.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Benefits

• Generous paid time off with a minimum of 37 paid days off including vacation and monthly wellness days. We also have four‑day long weekends, half‑day summer Fridays, and meeting‑free Friday afternoons year‑round.
• A flexible hybrid work model that works for you.
• A focus on personal development with formal training opportunities, including mental health training and inclusion education for everyone.
• A chance to be part of and grow within a global network of agencies.
• The opportunity to contribute to our company culture by joining one of our many community‑based employee groups, such as Black Employee Network, Girls on Fire, Hispanic or Latinx Alliance, Neuro Network, Pan‑Asian Network, and Rainbow Lounge.

KINESSO is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, colour, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, provincial, or municipal law. If you require an accommodation in any aspect of the selection process, please reach out to