Senior Associate, Programmatic Solutions

WPP Media Limited; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

WPP Media Limited in Toronto, Canada, seeks a Senior Associate, Programmatic Solutions to shape cross‑channel digital strategies and translate client briefs into holistic plans across planning, activation, measurement and data/tech.

This non‑hands‑on role emphasizes strategic consulting and project leadership with DSP knowledge, exploration of AI‑driven tech, and collaboration with clients and internal teams in a hybrid four‑day‑a‑week office model.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience in programmatic/digital strategy or senior programmatic activation.
• Solid understanding of cross-channel digital strategy including Display, Video, CTV, Audio, Gaming, and high-level Social media execution.
• Broad working knowledge of major DSPs (DV360, The Trade Desk) and ad tech capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Translate client briefs into holistic, cross-channel digital strategies.
• Lead campaigns through cross-functional teams to ensure timely execution.
• Present recommendations to clients and internal leadership.
• Oversee integration across display, video, audio, CTV, and social environments.
• Collaborate with measurement teams on reporting and lift studies.

Skills

Cross-channel strategy

Project management

Measurement & lift studies

DSP knowledge

Tools

DV360

The Trade Desk

Job description

Senior Associate, Programmatic Solutions

Toronto, Canada

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by ourpioneeringagentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth.

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

TheProgrammatic Solutionsteam sits in a unique and high-impact space between traditional media planning and hands-on activation. We are a dynamic, strategy-first unit within WPP Media focused on crafting cutting-edge digital products and solutions that directly drive performance, margin, and business results for our clients.

Unlike traditional activation roles, this position isnot a hands-on-keyboard buying role. Instead, you will act as a digital strategist and project manager who owns cross-channel digital strategies and interfaces with clients to solve complex business challenges using the latest media technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Recommendation:Receive client briefs and translate business objectives and target KPIs into holistic, cross-channel digital strategies.
• Project Management & Leadership:Manage campaigns through cross-functional teams, orchestrating efforts across Planning, Activation, Measurement, and Data & Tech teams to ensure flawless, on-time project execution.
• Client & Stakeholder Communication:Confidently lead strategic conversations and present recommendations to clients (including smaller direct clients and internal client leadership).
• Cross-Channel Integration:Oversee holistic digital strategies across display, video, audio, gaming, Connected TV (CTV), and high-level social environments.
• Innovation & Testing:Lead "test-and-learn" environments, exploring emerging platforms, AI-driven technologies (e.g., Amazon tech), new YouTube products, and advanced programmatic DSP capabilities.
• Measurement & Storytelling:Partner with internal measurement teams to leverage reporting, Brand Lift Studies, Conversion Lift Studies, and Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) insights to build compelling performance stories.
• Project Management & Leadership:Manage campaigns through cross-functional teams, orchestrating efforts across Planning, Activation, Measurement, and Data & Tech teams to ensure flawless, on-time project execution.
• Tech & DSP Knowledge:Broad working knowledge of major DSPs (e.g., DV360, Amazon DSP, The Trade Desk) and ad tech capabilities. Hands-on buying experience is a plus, but active trading is not required for this role.
• Creative Solutions:Partner with creative teams on strategies such as DCO, high-impact units, and other innovative digital formats.

What We Are Looking For

• Experience: 1+ years of experience in programmatic/digital strategy, programmatic planning, or senior programmatic activation looking to pivot away from hands-on platform execution.
• Channel Expertise:Solid understanding of cross-channel digital strategy including Display, Video, CTV, Audio, Gaming, and high-level Social Media execution.
• Tech & DSP Knowledge:Broad working knowledge of major DSPs (e.g., DV360, The Trade Desk) and ad tech capabilities. (Hands-on buying experience is a plus, but active trading is not required for this role).
• Project & Detail Management:Strong organizational skills with a proven track record of coordinating multiple internal teams and keeping complex projects on timeline.
• Measurement Familiarity:Understanding of digital measurement tools, attribution models, and lift studies (Brand/Conversion Lift).

Life at WPP Media & Benefits:

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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