Programmatic Strategist

illumin; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading ad tech company in Toronto is looking for a Programmatic Strategist to drive revenue growth through tailored digital advertising strategies. The ideal candidate has a strong background in digital advertising, programmatic media, and client relationship management. This role offers a hybrid work model with opportunities for professional development and impact within the industry.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Work-life balance

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Qualifications

• Experience in programmatic buying or strategic planning in ad tech.
• Understanding of digital advertising formats and programmatic solutions.
• Experience working in client-facing roles, influencing stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop sales strategies for programmatic solutions.
• Collaborate with teams to create compelling RFP responses.
• Grow knowledge of industry developments and inventory management.

Skills

Digital advertising

Programmatic media

Relationship management

Data-driven marketing

Strategic planning

Tools

Microsoft tools

Google tools

Job description

Who we are

At illumin, we are transforming the advertising landscape. Our platform offers an integrated space for journey planning, execution, and reporting. It empowers marketers to connect with their audiences in powerful ways through real-time data and easy-to-use visual tools. By seamlessly combining media planning and buying in an intuitive interface, marketers can take complete control of their campaigns, meeting customers wherever they are in the buying journey and maximizing the impact of their ad spend through personalized insights for smarter decision-making.

We are at a pivotal moment, evolving into a product-led company with a team of over 100 skilled professionals and new leadership guiding our path forward. By harnessing the power of data, advancing our AI capabilities, and deeply investing in our people, we are preparing for a future that will redefine what's possible in journey advertising.

Our work is guided by two beliefs: that the ability to execute is paramount to success and that we are only as good as our people. As we grow and transform, we are looking for team members (illumineers) who share our bias for speed, delivery over perfection, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Joining us now is a chance to be part of our transformation.

Who We Need

Reporting to the Director of Programmatic Strategy, we are seeking a Programmatic Strategist to play a pivotal role in driving revenue growth. You will respond to RFPs from current and prospective clients, developing sales strategies tailored for our advanced programmatic solutions and measurement capabilities. You will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop an in-depth understanding of their business goals and how to leverage the illumin platform best to deliver tailored, high-performing digital advertising campaigns. As our new Programmatic Strategist, you will partner with the sales team to co-own the RFP creation and submission process and act as the primary point of contact for prospective clients exploring how we can best support their needs.

This is a full-time, hybrid or remote opportunity. Individuals within commuting distance of our downtown Toronto office will work onsite 2 days a week. Fully remote employees are required to be available for onsite meetings and events regularly.

Who You Are

You may currently be a Digital Planner within a media agency, ready to take the next step in your career at a fast-moving adtech company. You have a strong understanding of digital advertising formats and programmatic media, with hands-on experience turning strategy into execution. You know how to connect media strategy to performance and results.

What's In It For You

Impact. You are ready for a role that offers more visibility, influence, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact. You will gain valuable insight into how the vendor side of the industry operates. Working closely with internal teams and a wide range of clients, you will deepen your expertise across diverse verticals, including healthcare, travel, and retail.

Career development. You will gain the exposure and direct experience to create your own path in AdTech, Sales, Marketing, or Account Management. Whether this is a stepping stone to a future agency leadership role or the beginning of a new path in adtech, you are ready to dive deeper into the programmatic ecosystem and build a career rooted in data, strategy, and innovation.

How You Will Make An Impact

• Grow our Programmatic Strategy. You will help create and implement comprehensive digital strategies that align with the business objectives of our clients, focusing on driving net new revenue through solutions within and outside of the illumin platform. You will play a critical role in transforming those strategies into highly curated and detailed RFP responses, ultimately securing net new business and helping to retain and grow existing clients.
• Grow your knowledge. You will stay up to date on industry developments, creative partnerships, inventory management, and forecasting strategies to successfully build RFP responses for our prospective and renewing clients.
• Apply media planning and buying expertise. You will utilize in-depth knowledge of digital advertising, including Real-time bidding (RTB), Demand-Side Platform (DSPs), and data-driven audience segmentation, to provide clients with high-performance ad solutions specifically tailored to what illumin can offer.
• Leverage data. You will focus on audience targeting and segmentation. You will collaborate with internal teams to develop sophisticated audience targeting strategies that utilize first-party data, third-party data, contextual targeting, and other advanced techniques, and effectively position these strategies for clients.
• Develop and execute strategies. You will partner with cross-functional teams, including Sales and Marketing, to ensure cohesive execution of sales strategies and seamless delivery of client campaigns. You will collaborate with Marketing on impactful collateral that supports new business generation and effectively communicates our value proposition. Additionally, you will work closely with the product team, providing them with industry insights and trends observed from RFPs received.
• Assess and respond. You will work with Sales and Marketing to identify areas for development in the current product offering and with the larger Sales Enablement team to assess potential partnership solutions and shepherd them through the procurement process and their subsequent rollout to Client Facing Teams.

What You Bring

• The direct expertise. You have proven experience in programmatic buying or strategic planning within the ad tech, digital media, or programmatic advertising industry. You have knowledge of digital advertising providers and partners, DSPs, and data-driven marketing solutions. You are familiar with Microsoft and Google's suite of tools as it relates to building custom media plans for prospective clients. Ideally, you bring an in-depth and well-developed understanding of what makes RFP submissions compelling in today's landscape for brands and agencies.
• The drive. You have a sense of curiosity regarding the success of media plans after implementation. You are driven to discover, evaluate, and partner with new measurement, data, and creative solutions.
• The relationship management skills. You have worked in client-facing roles at an agency or ad tech company, presenting innovative and strategic ideas that have led to plan approvals or new business wins. You can influence without authority, gain trust, and secure buy-in when working with multiple stakeholders on projects that often have tight deadlines. A strong ability to prioritize tasks and communicate expectations effectively is essential.
• The preferred qualifications. You have experience working with programmatic DSPs or similar ad tech platforms. You have exposure to multiple industry verticals and familiarity with different solutions in the programmatic and media landscape relevant for each specific industry.

What else should you know about us?

We are undergoing a transformative shift. We are embracing change and the opportunities that come with it, empowering every illumineer to innovate, experiment, and bring forward new ideas. Whether accessing new technology, restructuring workflows, or expanding your team, you will have full support if you can make the business case.

We are a broad and diverse team, but we all share a passion for success, a drive to do more, and a love of creating connections. We hire for talent and commitment and provide the guidelines and guidance to elevate skills, knowledge, and abilities across all areas. This is a place where proven methods meet bold ideas, offering opportunities to grow personally and professionally.

Apply Now

If you want to seize the opportunity to impact a company and influence an industry, and you have 70% of what we are looking for, apply now. We can't promise an interview, but we will consider your whole application.

What You Can Expect from Our Interview Process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor will discuss your interest in the role and showcase pieces of content you have created.
• A virtual interview with the Director of Programmatic Strategy. You will have the chance to share your experience and knowledge. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the role and team.
• A panel interview with the VP, Sales Enablement and a senior sales leader. You will learn how the Programmatic Strategy team partners with sales and have an opportunity to ask any final questions.

Illumin is firmly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America and the world, veterans, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

We are committed to providing equitable opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations at any stage of the interview process, please email us at [e-mail].

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