Global Director, Programmatic

WPP Media; New York (NY); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

EssenceMediacom, a leading WPP Media brand, seeks a Global Director of Programmatic to guide a multi-channel programmatic buying team across video, mobile, social, display and native advertising. You will collaborate with Strategy, Planning, Direct Investment and Analytics to deliver best-in-class execution and client service.

The role requires 7+ years in programmatic or ad tech, hands-on DSP/SSP experience, and leadership of junior staff.

Qualifications

• 7+ years progressively senior/technical experience in programmatic, ad operations, or biddable media.
• Hands-on experience with ad technologies including data management platforms, DSPs, SSPs, ad-verification, and third-party data providers.

Responsibilities

• Provide programmatic leadership to Associate Directors, Managers, and junior staff.
• Collaborate with Data Science and Analytics to develop measurement plans for tactical recommendations.
• Lead account-level programmatic roadmap creation in coordination with Data Science teams.
• Partner with client and agency brand teams to drive understanding of programmatic benefits and adoption within a holistic measurement plan.

Skills

Programmatic leadership

Data analytics

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Strategic thinking

Team management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Communications, or Advertising

Tools

Data Management Platforms (DMPs)

DSPs

SSPs

Ad verification tools

Tag management systems

Job description

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by ourpioneeringagentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth.

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

About EssenceMediacom: A Leading WPP Media Brand

This role is within EssenceMediacom, a leading brand within WPP Media, where you will be instrumental in driving breakthroughs for the world’s best brands through data-driven media and creative strategies.

Role Summary & Impact

As a Global Director, Programmatic, you will guide and direct the programmatic buying team, including Associate Directors, Managers, and a team of new and experienced programmatic specialists executing campaigns across multiple channels, platforms and devices such as video, mobile, social, display and native advertising. You will lead cross-departmental work streams and communication with Strategy, Planning, Direct Investment and Analytics to facilitate best-in-class execution and service to clients. In addition to team leadership, you will contribute to practice-level thought leadership and be responsibile for higher-level programmatic deliverables such as SWOTs, QBRs, POVs and account-level programmatic roadmaps.

Skills and Experience

• Provide programmatic leadership to Associate Directors, Managers, and junior staff.
• Collaborate with the Data Science and Analytics team to develop measurement plans for tactical recommendations.
• Continuously expand the knowledge base and improve our Programmatic offerings.
• Lead account-level programmatic roadmap creation in lockstep with the Data Science teams.
• Partner with our client and agency brand teams to drive their understanding of programmatic and its advantages and our capabilities to grow the adoption of programmatic as part of a holistic measurement plan that aligns optimizable media and brand metrics.
• You will develop, apply and share standard methodologies for desk operations, communications, campaign management, cross-departmental coordination (finance, ad ops, etc.), measurement planning and reporting.
• Help lead overall development of desk-level programmatic buying strategies; leadership of programmatic specialists; evaluation and identification of optimal partners (tech, data, media).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Communications, Advertising; OR equivalent professional work experience.
• 7+ Years experience progressively senior/technical experience in programmatic, ad operations or biddable media on the media owner, agency (preferred) or ad tech side.
• Hands‑on experience with ad technologies including data management platforms, DSP’s, SSP’s, ad-verification, and third‑party data providers is required.
• Familiarity with viewability measurement (MOAT, IAS, DoubleVerify) and audience measurement (Nielsen DAR).
• Practical experience with ad‑serving solutions, tag management and operations is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with Media Mix Modeling, or attribution modeling is advantageous.
• Ability to showcase your strong analytical abilities and quantitative skills, including math proficiency.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment toBe Extraordinary, investing in our employees to