Associate Director, Digital and Video Investment

Dentsu International Americas, LLC; New York (NY); On-site; USD 83,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k

Paid time off

Holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Dentsu's Carat in New York seeks an Associate Director to lead daily investment and activation across digital, programmatic, and national video media for assigned client accounts. You translate client objectives into tactical recommendations, oversee negotiations, and drive campaign execution with team leadership and budget stewardship.

You will guide client discussions, manage cross‑functional teams, and contribute to growth initiatives while ensuring QA, reporting, and performance insights.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 6+ years of relevant media investment experience across video, digital, and programmatic buying.
• Proven experience managing investment or activation teams with talent development.
• Strong knowledge of linear TV, streaming, online video, and digital channels.
• Proficiency with DSPs, ad servers, analytics dashboards, and office software.
• Strong negotiation, analytical and communication skills; present recommendations clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead investment strategy and marketplace expertise across multiple channels.
• Oversee campaign activation, pacing, optimization, and delivery with QA.
• Manage client and internal relationships, timelines, and expectations.
• Coach and develop direct reports; ensure timely, accurate performance reporting.
• Support growth initiatives and test new technologies and approaches.

Skills

Media investment

Team leadership

Negotiation

Analytics

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

DSPs

Ad servers

Analytics dashboards

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Job Description: The Associate Director leads daily investment and activation across digital, programmatic, and national video media for assigned client accounts. Working with the Director, this individual translates client business objectives into tactical recommendations, oversees negotiations and campaign execution, and ensures investments deliver against campaign goals. The role combines client and partner relationship management with team leadership, staff development, and operational oversight. The Associate Director is accountable for the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of team deliverables, from planning and activation through optimization, reporting, and budget stewardship.

Key Responsibilities

Investment Strategy and Marketplace Expertise

Lead RFPs and tactical recommendations across linear television, streaming and connected TV, online video, and other digital and programmatic channels, aligning audiences, platforms, and content opportunities with client objectives. Oversee national video and direct digital negotiations, partner selection, and expenditures; coordinate negotiations across channels to maximize client value and budget efficiency. Maintain expertise in the media marketplace, buying platforms, direct buying processes, and dentsu products; build relationships with media partners and identify relevant innovation and testing opportunities.

Campaign Activation and Performance

Oversee campaign setup, activation, pacing, optimization, and delivery across direct and programmatic buys, with close oversight of hands‑on platform execution. Ensure consistent QA and adherence to campaign management best practices; monitor budgets and performance, identify risks, and implement timely course corrections. Review tactical plans, campaign deliverables, and reporting for accuracy and quality; translate results into clear insights, optimization rationale, and actionable recommendations.

Client and Internal Relationships

Build trusted client relationships, understand their business and goals, and manage expectations, priorities, and deliverable timelines. Lead day‑to‑day client discussions and presentations, clearly explaining recommendations and results while representing the client perspective in team feedback. Maintain effective communication with planning, creative, analytics, and other agency teams; keep leadership informed of campaign health, client issues, and growth opportunities.

Team Leadership and Development

Manage daily team workflow, delegate responsibilities, and balance workloads and priorities to deliver high‑quality work on time. Train, coach, and mentor direct reports across digital and video investment; identify development needs, provide timely feedback, and complete accurate performance reviews. Promote accountability, collaboration, and knowledge sharing; resolve issues and ensure the team receives relevant client, agency, and account updates.

Agency Growth and Innovation

Support the Director with central initiatives, new business pitches, and opportunities to grow existing client relationships. Contribute marketplace perspectives, thought leadership, and shareable resources that strengthen investment knowledge and practices across dentsu. Evaluate emerging technology, partner solutions, and buying approaches; share test results and support the development of new capabilities.

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.

6+ years of relevant media investment experience, with demonstrated expertise spanning video, digital, and programmatic buying.

Proven experience managing investment or activation teams, including developing talent, delegating effectively, and fostering accountability.

Strong knowledge of linear television, streaming and connected TV, online video, and broader digital channels, including direct and programmatic buying models.

Proficiency with DSPs, ad servers, ad verification tools, planning and financial systems, audience and data platforms, and analytics and reporting dashboards.

Strong negotiation, analytical, and quantitative skills, with the ability to connect media performance and investment decisions to client business objectives.

Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills; able to adapt recommendations to different audiences and address client concerns professionally.

Strong project management, attention to detail, and follow‑through; able to prioritize multiple workstreams and solve problems proactively.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word; a collaborative approach to working across teams and disciplines.

The annual salary range for this position is $82,800-$110,400. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law.

Benefits available with this position include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long‑term disability insurance
• 401k
• Flexible paid time off
• At least 15 paid holidays per year
• Paid sick and safe leave
• Paid parental leave

Dentsu also complies with applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies. For further details regarding Dentsu benefits, please visit www.dentsubenefitsplus.com.

Location

New York

Brand

Carat

Time Type

Full time

Contract Type

Permanent

Dentsu is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. We do this without regard to race, color, national origin, sex , sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religious practices and observances, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Dentsu is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with us, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] by clicking on the link to let us know the nature of your accommodation request and your contact information. We are here to support you.

About dentsu

For over 120 years, innovation is a core tenet of our offering – exploring new ways to reach, engage and nurture relationships with audiences. Together we drive a multiplier effect for clients at a global scale, through the development of Integrated Growth Solutions that are underpinned by our promise to clients: innovating to impact. Be a force for good. Sustainability is a vital part of our business and an important area of focus for our clients. We’re leading the way – helping to build a more sustainable planet. Dream loud. In this moment of transformation, we need our people to be fearless, embracing change and ambiguity, driven by the love for their work and excitement for the future. Team without limits. We create opportunities for connection and collaboration between our colleagues and clients, building a sense of belonging and having some fun along the way. Find out more about us Who we are Our Social Impact Our work.