Associate Director, Programmatic

GALE; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 2,000,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading advertising services company in Bengaluru is seeking an Associate Director, Programmatic to oversee programmatic strategy and delivery for key clients. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in programmatic ecosystem management, expertise in various ad formats, and demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. This full-time role focuses on driving performance accountability and mentoring a team within a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of experience in programmatic strategy, planning, and campaign management.
• Hands-on proficiency across major DSPs.
• Strong understanding of various advertising channels.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end programmatic strategy and delivery across client accounts.
• Lead campaign architecture, optimizations, and performance accountability.
• Influence ad-tech partnerships and drive innovation.

Skills

Programmatic strategy and planning

Programmatic buying models

DSP experience (DV360, The Trade Desk)

Ad verification/brand safety tools

Analytical skills

Project management

Leadership and mentoring

Tools

Google Analytics 4

Adobe Analytics

Biddable platforms

Job description

Join to apply for the Associate Director, Programmatic role at GALE

Associate Director, Programmatic – Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

We are seeking an accomplished Associate Director – Programmatic to lead strategic planning, performance oversight, and innovation across our programmatic practice. This role demands a deep understanding of programmatic ecosystems, strong leadership abilities, and the capability to translate data into actionable business outcomes.

About Us

GALE is an amalgamation of consultancy and agency services, dedicated to addressing complex brand challenges with an integrated approach. Our headquarters is in New York, with additional offices in Toronto, Singapore, and Bangalore. We are bound by core values that guide our every action and approach to our work: values such as Everyone Matters, No Silos, and Masters of Our Craft. If you are driven by a passion for building something exceptional, an eagerness to innovate, and a dedication to achieving excellence in your craft, GALE is the ideal place for you to thrive.

Who You Are

• 8–12 years of progressive experience in programmatic strategy, planning, and campaign management.
• Deep expertise in programmatic buying models (RTB, PMP, PG), advanced optimization tactics, audience strategies, and KPI frameworks.
• Hands‑on proficiency across major DSPs such as DV360, The Trade Desk, and Amazon DSP. Experience working with other biddable platforms will be valuable.
• Strong understanding of Display, Native, Video, YouTube, CTV, Audio and DOOH advertising channels with knowledge of all major ad formats.
• Solid experience with ad verification/brand safety platforms (IAS, DoubleVerify, MOAT).
• Strong technical competency with tags, pixels, tracking, macros, and troubleshooting.
• Proven experience setting up and managing PMP and PG deals across platforms.
• Familiarity with analytics tools such as GA4, Adobe Analytics, and MMPs (AppsFlyer, Kochava, Adjust), etc.
• Curiosity-driven innovator who stays up-to-date with emerging channels (retail media, streaming platforms, identity solutions) with an ability to evaluate and recommend new ad‑tech partners, test new betas, and lead innovation roadmaps.
• Excellent analytical, quantitative, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and drive strategic decisions.
• A proactive leader with the ability to set objectives, manage multiple workstreams, and ensure accountability.
• Strong communicator capable of influencing internal teams, clients, and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring and upskilling teams; passionate about building high‑performing programmatic talent.
• Passionate about craft mastery, and an advocate for collaboration in a no‑silos culture.

What You Will Do

• Own end‑to‑end programmatic strategy and delivery across key client accounts.
• Lead campaign architecture, data onboarding, experimentation frameworks, and advanced optimizations.
• Drive performance accountability—pacing, KPI alignment, measurement plans, and actionable insights.
• Partner with Planning, Analytics, Creative, and Tech teams to deliver full‑funnel programmatic success.
• Shape audience strategy, reporting intelligence, and programmatic innovation for clients.
• Influence platform selection, deal negotiation, and ad‑tech partnerships to drive value.
• Evangelize programmatic best practices internally and externally.
• Identify automation, workflow enhancements, and scalability opportunities for the team.
• Represent programmatic expertise in client conversations, pitching, and business development.
• Coach and grow a team of programmatic traders/managers to elevate craft excellence within GALE.

Seniority Level

Director

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Business Development and Sales

Industries

Advertising Services