Client Service Director

The Trade Desk; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

The Trade Desk seeks a senior Partnerships Director for Automotive to lead strategic OEM collaborations and drive growth of programmatic solutions. You will design 12-month plans, oversee RTB strategies, and partner with product teams to deliver OEM-specific wins.

You will leverage first- and third-party data, craft playbooks, and mentor teammates, shaping automotive advertising across display, CTV, audio, and more for global clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher.
• 7+ years in programmatic or digital media, with 3+ years working directly with Automotive OEMs.
• Deep understanding of the Automotive media ecosystem, OEM/dealer models, and launch cycles.
• Experience collaborating with Automotive marketing teams and agency partners.
• Proficient in buying and optimizing across display, CTV, video, digital audio, and DOOH.
• Strong grasp of Auto-specific data providers and activation.
• Experience with MMM, MTA, or Auto-specific attribution solutions.
• Strong Excel fluency; SQL/Python a plus.
• Exceptional client communication and storytelling skills.
• Comfortable in a fast-moving environment and capable of leading new business conversations.

Responsibilities

• Own and grow strategic partnerships with Automotive OEMs.
• Design and execute 12-month business plans for OEM goals.
• Lead RTB strategies and campaign optimizations.
• Advise on Auto vertical best practices and audience strategies.
• Collaborate with BD and Product to build OEM-specific solutions.
• Serve as an internal Auto category expert across teams.
• Provide performance analysis using first- and third-party data.
• Create playbooks and strategic guidance for OEMs.
• Mentor team members in Auto best practices.

Skills

Programmatic

Auto OEMs

Relationship mgmt

Data storytelling

Excel

SQL/Python

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Excel

SQL

Python

Job description

The Trade Desk is a global technology company and the world's leading independent platform for digital advertising, with over 3,000 employees across more than 30 offices. Our technology helps advertisers reach the right audiences across the open internet - from streaming TV and podcasts to mobile apps, news, and more. Advertising powers the content people love. By making it more transparent, effective, and responsible, we help support trusted journalism, quality entertainment, and creators worldwide. The world's brands and agencies rely on us to reach their customers and grow their businesses responsibly. The scale of our platform brings unique technical challenges - from processing massive datasets in real time to building systems that operate reliably on a global scale. When you work here, your impact is worldwide. We welcome diverse perspectives, encourage curiosity, and build teams that learn from one another. If you're driven to solve meaningful challenges, we'd love to meet you.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Own and grow strategic partnerships with major Automotive OEMs (national and regional level), acting as the lead point of contact and trusted advisor on all things programmatic.
• Design and execute 12-month business plans tailored to OEM goals, including model launches, brand building, and retail alignment.
• Lead real-time bidding (RTB) strategies and campaign optimizations, leveraging advanced data inputs (DMPs, CDPs, VIN-level data, location-based signals, etc.).
• Advise on best practices specific to the Auto vertical - such as sequential messaging across funnel stages, dealer tie-ins, and audience re-engagement strategies.
• Partner with Business Development and Product teams to build OEM-specific solutions that drive measurable outcomes and maximize platform usage.
• Serve as an internal Auto category expert, collaborating cross-functionally to drive innovation for automotive advertisers.
• Provide performance analysis and campaign insights using first-party data, third-party Auto intent data, and custom attribution models.
• Create playbooks, POVs, and strategic guidance for OEM clients around digital transformation, data activation, and omnichannel execution (display, CTV, digital audio, etc.).
• Contribute to the enablement and mentorship of team members in Auto best practices.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE

• Bachelor's degree or higher
• 7+ years in programmatic or digital media, with 3+ years working directly with Automotive OEMs (client-side or agency-side).
• Deep understanding of the Automotive media ecosystem, including OEM/dealer models, Auto path-to-purchase behavior, and seasonal/launch planning cycles.
• Experience collaborating with Automotive marketing teams and their agency partners (e.g., media AORs, Tier 2/Tier 3 teams, creative shops).
• Proficient in buying and optimizing across multiple channels: display, CTV, video, digital audio, and DOOH.
• Strong grasp of Auto-specific data providers (e.g., Polk/IHS, Oracle Auto, S&P Mobility, LiveRamp) and ability to activate/optimize against them.
• Experience with MMM, MTA, or Auto-specific attribution solutions.
• Strong technical fluency in Excel; experience with SQL, Python, or similar tools a plus.
• Exceptional client communication and storytelling skills - able to translate complex data and insights into strategic recommendations.
• Comfortable in a fast-moving environment, able to proactively lead new business conversations and optimize existing engagements.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and long-term relationships across complex stakeholder networks

The Trade Desk does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm recruiters. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of The Trade Desk. The Trade Desk is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

The Trade Desk will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, Ordinance No. 184652.

In accordance with various US state laws, the range provided is the Trade Desk's reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, and location. All employees may be eligible to become The Trade Desk shareholders through eligibility for stock-based compensation grants, which are awarded to employees based on company and individual performance. The Trade Desk also offers other compensation depending on the role such as variable compensation-based incentives and commissions. Plus, expected benefits for this role include comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, and vision) with premiums paid in full for employees and dependents, retirement benefits such as a 401k plan and company match, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, well-being benefits, reimbursement for certain tuition expenses, parental leave, sick time of 1 hour per 30 hours worked, vacation time for full-time employees up to 120 hours thru the first year and 160 hours thereafter, and around 13 paid holidays per year. Employees can also purchase The Trade Desk stock at a discount through The Trade Desk's Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

The Trade Desk also offers a competitive benefits package.

Note

Interns are not eligible for variable incentive awards such as stock-based compensation, retirement plan, vacation, tuition reimbursement or parental leave

In accordance with various US state laws, the range provided is the Trade Desk's reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The base salary range for this role is

$111,900 — $205,200 USD

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, The Trade Desk is committed to creating an inclusive hiring experience where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Please reach out to us [e-mail] request an accommodation or discuss any accessibility needs you may require to access our Company Website or navigate any part of the hiring process.

When you contact us, please include your preferred contact details and specify the nature of your accommodation request or questions. Any information you share will be handled confidentially and will not impact our hiring decisions.