Programmatic Media Buyer

cars; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 93,100 - 114,050; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Plans

New Hire Stipend for Home Office Setup

Generous PTO

Paid Holidays & Floating Holiday

Job summary

Cars Commerce is seeking a Programmatic Media Buyer to oversee end-to-end DV360-based campaigns across video environments. You will manage campaign setup, trafficking, pacing, optimization, and reporting, while crafting audience strategies and leveraging first- and third-party data to drive efficient performance.

Join a data-driven marketing team and own the channel, collaborating with analytics and creative teams.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in digital media and programmatic buying.
• Hands-on experience managing campaigns in Google DV360 (required).
• Familiarity with the Google Marketing Platform ecosystem (Campaign Manager 360, GA4, Floodlight).
• Experience executing PMP deals and working with publishers/vendors.
• Strong analytical mindset with ability to translate data into actionable insights.

Responsibilities

• Plan, build, and execute programmatic campaigns in DV360 across video environments.
• Manage full lifecycle: setup, trafficking, QA, pacing, optimization.
• Develop audience strategies using first- and third-party data.
• Activate data via clean room and identity solutions for targeting and measurement.
• Execute PMP and programmatic guaranteed deals and optimize supply-paths.

Skills

Digital media experience

Google DV360

Data analysis

Communication & collaboration

Attention to detail

Tools

DV360 platform

Campaign Manager 360

GA4

Floodlight

Looker Studio

Job description

Be essential at Cars Commerce

At Cars Commerce, we’re fanatical about simplifying everything about car buying and selling. We do right by our customers and consumers to better connect the industry with simplified and tierless technology to enhance, measure and drive local automotive retail. Whether through our No.1 most recognized marketplace, Cars.com, our industry-leading digital experience, Dealer Inspire, our trade and appraisal technology, AccuTrade, our reputation-based digital wholesale auction marketplace, Dealerclub, or our new Cars Commerce Media Network, Cars Commerce is essential for success in the automotive industry.

No one ever travels alone here: at its core, Cars Commerce is collaboration. In fact, it’s built into the very fabric of our shared values. We like to say we Rise Together – putting people at the center of what we do, from consumer to customer to community. Life at Cars Commerce makes it easy when we share the ethos to be Open to All, encouraging open-minded communication because we know diverse thinking yields better outcomes. But critical to our success is Caring to Challenge and Taking Ownership, fueling a competitive spirit in a respectful environment where we think about tomorrow but act today. At our foundation, we have integrity, Doing the Right Thing, even when it’s hard. It’s our shared commitment to these values that makes Cars Commerce a place where growth becomes not only possible, but downright unavoidable.

But don’t take our word for it. We are proud to be named one of Built In’s 2026 Best Places to Work in Chicago and across the U.S. Ready to make your mark? Join a team that’s driving real change in the automotive industry.

As a Programmatic Media Buyer, you’ll plan, build, and execute programmatic video campaigns across CTV and OLV environments as a key contributor in our Consumer Marketing Team. You’ll own the full lifecycle from campaign setup and trafficking through pacing, optimization, and reporting. Working primarily in Google DV360 and the broader Google Marketing Platform ecosystem, you’ll develop audience strategies that leverage first-party, third-party, and Google audience data, execute PMP and programmatic guaranteed deals, and apply bid strategies, frequency controls, and value-based optimization to drive efficient, scalable performance. You’ll also partner closely with Marketing Analytics to design incrementality tests, connect campaign decisions to MMM signals, and ensure we’re optimizing toward business value rather than just platform-reported conversions. This is a hands‑on role with real channel ownership. You’ll work cross‑functionally to turn performance data into clear recommendations and creative testing plans. You’ll also bring a point of view on emerging GMP features, privacy, and identity solutions. If you want to operate a strategic channel inside an audience‑driven technology company that’s simplifying everything about buying and selling cars, and you Care to Challenge, Take Ownership, and Rise Together with the team around you, this role is for you.

What You’ll Do:

• Plan, build, and execute programmatic campaigns within Google DV360 across video (CTV/OLV) environments
• Manage full campaign lifecycle including campaign setup, trafficking, QA, pacing, and optimization
• Develop and implement audience strategies leveraging first‑party, third‑party, and Google audience data
• Activate first‑party data through clean room and identity solutions (e.g., Google PAIR, Ads Data Hub) to support audience targeting and measurement in a signal‑loss environment
• Execute and optimize private marketplace (PMP) and programmatic guaranteed deals
• Evaluate and apply supply‑path optimization (SPO) principles, including curated deal IDs and SSP/curation partner selection, to improve media quality and efficiency
• Monitor campaign pacing, delivery, and performance against budget and KPIs, and forecast spend to ensure accurate allocation across flights and channels
• Analyze performance data to identify trends, insights, and optimization opportunities across creatives, inventory, and audiences
• Implement bid strategies, frequency controls, and targeting refinements to improve efficiency and scale
• Apply value‑based optimization, including custom bidding and conversion value signals, to align media delivery with downstream business value rather than flat conversion volume
• Partner with internal teams to ensure accurate conversion tracking and with Marketing Analytics to design and interpret incrementality tests (geo holdouts, conversion lift) and connect campaign decisions to MMM and incrementality signals and not just platform‑reported conversions
• Develop weekly and monthly performance reports, highlighting performance insights and strategic recommendations
• Partner with creative teams to design and execute structured creative tests (A/B, multivariate, DCO), and translate results into creative briefs and asset roadmaps
• Evaluate emerging GMP features, beta programs, and industry developments in privacy and identity for applicability to Cars.com; pilot and codify what works

Who We Are Looking For:

• 3–5 years of experience in digital media, with proven success in programmatic buying
• Hands‑on experience managing campaigns in Google DV360 (required)
• Familiarity with the Google Marketing Platform ecosystem (Campaign Manager 360, GA4, Floodlight)
• Experience executing PMP deals and working with publishers/vendors
• Working knowledge of supply‑path optimization and curation, including curated deal IDs
• Strong understanding of programmatic buying models, auction dynamics, and inventory types (OLV/CTV primary, nice to have display and audio)
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools (Excel, Google Sheets, Looker Studio); SQL a plus
• Experience with audience segmentation, targeting strategies, and data integrations
• Familiarity with measurement frameworks beyond last‑touch — incrementality testing, MMM, and value‑based measurement
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple campaigns simultaneously in a deadline‑driven environment
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

Bonus If You Have:

• Media agency experience
• GMP Certifications (DV360, CM360)
• Exposure to other DSPs (The Trade Desk, Amazon DSP, etc.)
• Experience in two‑sided marketplaces or high‑consideration purchase categories (automotive, real estate, travel, financial services)
• Exposure to custom bidding scripts or value‑based bidding implementations

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position: $93,100.00–$114,050.00. In addition to base salary, some roles are eligible for bonus and/or equity programs, depending on level and role. Regular full‑time positions are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. If you are hired at Cars Commerce, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills and/or experience. If the salary range is close to what you’re seeking, we encourage you to apply and learn more about the total compensation package for this position.

Our Comprehensive Benefits Package includes:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Healthcare Plans
• New Hire Stipend for Home Office Set‑Up
• Generous PTO
• Paid Holidays, Floating Holiday, Volunteer Day, Recharge Day

Learn more about our Benefits, Perks, & Culture on our LinkedIn Life Pages!

For US‑based Positions:

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Please note that we are unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.

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