Programmatic Director - 12 Month FTC

Zenith USA; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Life Assurance

Private Medical cover

Reflection Days

Shared Parental Leave

Job summary

Zenith USA is seeking a Programmatic Director for a 12-month FTC to shape and deliver programmatic strategies across clients like HP and Electrolux. You will lead full-funnel activation and a talented team while driving meaningful business growth.

The ideal candidate will have strong programmatic experience, excellent leadership skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities. The role offers a range of benefits and a collaborative work culture in Greater London.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in programmatic within a digital or media agency, or across the programmatic ecosystem.
• Proven ability to translate strategy into clear, effective activation that delivers commercial impact.
• Clear and engaging communication skills for building trust across teams and clients.

Responsibilities

• Leading the strategic and operational delivery of full-funnel programmatic campaigns.
• Ensuring high standards across activation, optimisation, and performance delivery.
• Managing and developing a pod of five, creating clarity around priorities.

Skills

Programmatic expertise

Digital advertising landscape understanding

Leadership and people development

Analytical mindset

Job description

Company description

We are the ROI agency, a position we have proudly held true since 2005. Our more than 6,000 specialists across 95 markets offer unparalleled capabilities in Media, Data, Technology, Commerce and Content. We put effectiveness at the heart of our work to solve complex challenges, drive successful business outcomes, and grow our clients’ businesses.

Over the years, we have evolved our definition of ROI, as it has changed with the ever‑complicated communications landscape. ROI is no longer simply about the most efficient planning, buying and reporting of media.

Yes, ROI is about delivering Return on Investment; but it’s also about going beyond to deliver a Return on Imagination and more integrated experiences that inspire Growth. Top‑line growth for our clients’ businesses, growth for our people and growth for our culture.

Powered by our best‑in‑class proprietary tools and data, our work spans the full spectrum of media communications, from analytics, data and technology to performance marketing, content and superior trading.

This breadth means we deliver Insight that lies at the intersection of consumer, category, and brand, attributing every budget to stronger business outcomes.

It means we deliver more creative media solutions that bring together best‑in‑class strategy, planning and the power of Publicis Groupe to ensure distinct and more personal brand experiences for our clients.

It means we adopt new data analytics and value optimisation techniques while building relationships with some of the world’s most exciting start‑ups. We leverage over 30 years of media planning expertise to go beyond traditional media solutions and deliver a Return on Investment that is both forward‑thinking and accountable to our clients.

At Zenith, we ultimately seek out a more meaningful kind of ROI. Our unique way of thinking inspires growth for some of the world’s leading brands, including Coty, Electrolux, Essity, Lactalis, Luxottica, Nestlé, Nomad Foods, Reckitt, TikTok and Verizon.

Overview

We are hiring a Programmatic Director in a 12‑month FTC to help shape and deliver world‑class programmatic strategies across a group of Zenith’s clients including: HP, Electrolux, ELIDA, Eli Lilly, and Lulu Lemon. This is a senior, hands‑on role where you’ll influence full‑funnel activation, elevate performance, and lead a talented team within our international network. You’ll work at the intersection of strategy, innovation and operational excellence, using data, creativity and collaboration to drive meaningful business growth. If you’re passionate about programmatic and enjoy turning complexity into clarity and impact, we’d love to meet you.

Responsibilities

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the strategic and operational delivery of full‑funnel programmatic campaigns across display, video, YouTube, DCO and high‑impact formats.
• Ensuring consistently high standards across activation, optimisation, QA, brand safety, tagging and performance delivery.
• Acting as a trusted programmatic advisor to clients, clearly translating results into insight and future opportunities.
• Partnering closely with planning, performance, search and social teams to drive holistic efficiency and maximise ROI.
• Owning financial accuracy across programmatic activity, including forecasting, PO management and budget tracking.
• Managing and developing a pod of five, creating clarity around priorities, supporting growth, and encouraging autonomy.
• Driving continuous improvement by evolving workflows, sharing best practice and championing innovation across the agency.

Qualifications

What are we looking for?

• Strong experience in programmatic within a digital or media agency, or across the programmatic ecosystem.
• A solid understanding of the digital advertising landscape, including DSPs, SSPs, data and measurement frameworks.
• Proven ability to translate strategy into clear, effective activation that delivers commercial impact.
• Experience leading and developing people, with a collaborative and supportive leadership style.
• Confidence managing multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and delivery standards.
• A curious, analytical mindset with the ability to problem‑solve and optimise performance.
• Clear and engaging communication skills, with the ability to build trust across teams and with clients.

Additional information

Zenith International offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees. Full details are shared when you join, but highlights include core benefits such as Pension, Life Assurance, and Private Medical cover, alongside enhanced policies like Reflection Days and Shared Parental Leave. You’ll also have access to a range of additional initiatives, including:

Publicis Career Page which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAGs (Employee Action Groups).

Publicis Groupe works primarily from the office or our clients' office four days per week.

At Zenith International, we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age, citizenship, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.

We are committed to providing a fair, accessible, and inclusive recruitment process. If you have any access needs - for example, related to disability, neurodivergence, or a health condition - please let us know. We’ll work with you to ensure the process works for you. Sharing this information will never impact your application.

Guided by our values, we listen with empathy, uplift each other, take responsibility, and embrace change - building a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and genuinely included.