Associate Media Director, Programmatic

Mediassociates; Newtown (CT); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Mediassociates is seeking an Associate Media Director, Programmatic to lead audience-driven programmatic initiatives across multiple clients. You will shape strategy, oversee activation, and work with analytics to optimize performance and measurement.

In this hybrid Connecticut-based role, you will mentor junior staff, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and stay ahead of privacy and tech trends to drive client outcomes and agency growth.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in programmatic media and related experience.
• Strong expertise in activation, audience strategy, and performance optimization.
• Hands-on knowledge of leading DSPs and ad tech tools.
• Experience across multiple channels (CTV, OLV, Display, Native, Streaming Audio, DOOH).
• Client-facing communication and leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement audience-led programmatic strategies aligned to client KPIs.
• Oversee campaign builds, trafficking, pacing, and in-platform optimization.
• Collaborate with analytics to evolve measurement and testing frameworks.
• Manage platform decisions and vendor relationships for assigned clients.
• Lead and develop junior team members and stay current with trends.

Skills

Programmatic media

Audience strategy

Performance optimization

DSPs knowledge

Campaign Manager 360

Data platforms

IAS verification tools

Omnichannel programmatic

Measurement & attribution

Client-facing

Team leadership

Tools

Tableau

Mediaocean

Wrike

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

Slack

Google Campaign Manager 360

Job description

The Associate Media Director (AMD), Programmatic (reporting directly to the Director, Programmatic) will play a key role in advancing and scaling the agency’s programmatic capabilities through data-informed strategy, technology enablement, and cross-functional collaboration. This role sits at the intersection of media strategy, analytics, and marketing technology, with a primary focus on applying audience insights and performance data to strengthen programmatic effectiveness and drive measurable client outcomes.

The AMD will work closely with Programmatic leadership, activation, strategy, analytics, and data teams to ensure campaigns are built on a strong foundation of audience strategy, rigorous testing frameworks, and performance accountability. This role requires both strategic vision and hands‑on platform expertise, serving as a subject matter expert who helps shape how programmatic strategies are applied, optimized, and scaled across an assigned client portfolio. The AMD will also help to build and elevate programmatic capabilities across the team, reinforcing best practices and strengthening overall impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Audience Development

• Lead audience‑led programmatic strategies and targeting frameworks aligned to client KPIs, translating platform insights and performance data into actionable recommendations.
• Ensure strategies reflect evolving privacy standards and responsible data usage.

Campaign Activation & Delivery

• Own campaign builds, trafficking oversight, and QC across DSPs; manage pacing, budget delivery, and in‑platform optimization.
• Troubleshoot delivery/performance issues in partnership with ad ops and analytics.

Measurement & Testing

• Partner with analytics/data teams to evolve measurement approaches and implement testing frameworks (A/B, audience, creative, incrementality) that drive continuous optimization.

Platform & Technology

• Own platform decisions for assigned clients (DSPs, data partners, inventory, measurement tools) and manage day‑to‑day vendor relationships.
• Identify opportunities to improve automation and workflow efficiency.

Cross‑Functional & Team Leadership

• Serve as SME for clients and internal teams, translating performance insights into business impact narratives.
• Support new business initiatives and stay current on emerging programmatic trends.
• Lead and develop junior programmatic team members.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• 7+ years in programmatic media, with strong expertise in activation, audience strategy, and performance optimization.
• Deep hands‑on knowledge of leading DSPs (Amazon, The Trade Desk, DV360), Google Campaign Manager 360, data platforms, and ad verification tools (IAS).
• Proven omnichannel programmatic experience across CTV, OLV, Display, Native, Streaming Audio, and DOOH.
• Strong grasp of measurement, attribution, and vendor/data partner evaluation.
• Client‑facing presence; ability to translate complex strategy into clear narratives.
• Experience leading/developing junior staff; strong project management skills.
• Familiarity with Tableau, Mediaocean, Wrike, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Slack.

Location & Work Arrangement

Mediassociates hires employees who reside in the following states: Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Candidates must live in one of these states at the time of hire.

Employees who live within approximately one hour of our office in Sandy Hook (Newtown), Connecticut work a hybrid schedule [2 days per week in office]. Our updated office space lets you take part in the office culture and team bonding that naturally happen in person. And if you need a break, there's a beautiful waterfall and serene stream just outside our front door.

Candidates outside the local area who can work during our core East Coast office hours, 8:30am–5:30pm ET, are encouraged to apply. Remote team members are invited to the office at least twice a year, for our Summer Party and our Holiday Party. Other team or client meetings may be scheduled throughout the year.

Final compensation will depend on experience and skills. Mediassociates offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with company match; paid time off, paid holidays, life and disability insurance among other benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Mediassociates is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.