Sr. Programmatic Advertising Manager – Austin, TX

Winwithoptimal; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Health insurance

Flex spending

Employee assistance

Job summary

Optimal is seeking a senior programmatic advertising manager with at least 3 years of hands-on programmatic media management experience to guide strategy across DV360, The Trade Desk, Beeswax and StackAdapt. You will manage campaigns, optimize performance, and drive client results in a fast-paced agency environment.

Based in Austin on a hybrid schedule, you will collaborate with BI, sales and creative teams, test new channels, and mentor junior staff while delivering clear client reports.

Qualifications

• 4-year Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, advertising, economics, finance, analytics, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in the programmatic ecosystem with DSPs.
• Experience using DV360, The Trade Desk, Beeswax, or StackAdapt.
• Hands-on trafficking experience with Campaign Manager 360 or similar.
• Experience leading programmatic media strategy for clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and client relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and allocate budgets across top performing programmatic channels.
• Test new channels, ad types, and audiences.
• Manage programmatic campaigns and optimize to meet KPIs.
• Track budgets and pacing; adjust spend accordingly.
• Prepare client reports and present analyses.
• Collaborate with internal teams on account strategies.
• Guide creative assets and test variations.
• Identify and test new programmatic opportunities.
• Maintain relationships with vendors to maximize capabilities.

Skills

Programmatic strategy

Campaign management

Data analysis

Client relationships

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

DV360

The Trade Desk

Beeswax

StackAdapt

Campaign Manager 360

Power BI

Adobe Analytics

Job description

About The Role

Optimal is looking for an ambitious senior programmatic advertising manager with at least 3 years of hands‑on programmatic media management experience to join our team! The Sr. Programmatic Advertising Manager will play an active role in dictating & executing programmatic strategy across various programmatic platforms including DV360, The Trade Desk, Beeswax & Stackadapt. The ideal candidate for this role exhibits a true passion for programmatic media, has hands‑on experience managing programmatic ad campaigns, and exhibits a strong familiarity with programmatic media buying and ad serving platforms. At Optimal, we are actively looking to scale standout candidates – those who are ready for significant opportunities and hungry to take on meaningful responsibilities that drive real business results for our clients. New employees that grow the fastest at our company are strategic problem solvers who are proactively looking to improve with innovative ideas but are also relentless at following through.

Who Are We?

Optimal is a performance marketing agency on a mission, bringing together the best data, technology, and people to achieve our clients’ marketing goals. Brand, campaign, or cause: we maximize performance at every moment. Our team is leading the digital media charge in connecting consumers with the products and services that will help them live healthier, happier lives. We strive to make a difference for our clients, the individuals we reach, and the world around us. Everyone at Optimal has the opportunity to learn, grow, and progress. Through our proprietary training programs, we provide our team members with the personal and professional development they need to achieve advancement at any stage in their careers.

Essential Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities

• Programmatic Strategy – Work with key clients to plan and allocate budgets across top performing programmatic channels. Identify opportunities to test new channels, ad types, & audiences across the programmatic media landscape. Build strategic recommendations by analyzing historical performance, competitors, and industry trends.
• Campaign Management & Optimization – Manage programmatic advertising campaigns on an ongoing basis, conducting performance analysis & proactively adjust campaigns to ensure client KPI’s are met and, when possible, exceeded.
• Budget Allocation & Pacing – Manage monthly programmatic advertising budgets with high media spend and make informed decisions about the best use of client dollars based on your experience and industry knowledge. Track daily budget pacing and adjust media spend to ensure client budgets are adhered to. Use performance analysis to make decisions on budget allocation and execute budget changes accordingly.
• Reporting & Analysis – Perform deep‑dive analysis into performance trends through platforms like DV360, Campaign Manager 360, The Trade Desk, Stackadapt, Microsoft PBI, & Adobe Analytics. Write client reports and present analysis and strategic recommendations during weekly, monthly and quarterly meetings.
• Collaboration and Team Management – Work closely with the Associate Director of Programmatic Media and leadership team to develop & recommend new account strategies & optimizations. Oversee the development of programmatic advertising specialists and interface with various internal teams such as our business intelligence, business development, PPC, SEO, and creative teams.
• Creative Ideation – Guide the creative team and test variations of creative assets needed to determine highest-performing creative and ad copy.
• Innovation – Identify and test new programmatic opportunities, including platforms, inventory sources, channels, audiences, etc. to improve performance and drive innovation.
• Work with Industry Experts and Vendors – Enhance agency relationships with programmatic vendors to fully use their capabilities and recommend strategies and solutions that best meet our business needs.

Minimum Qualifications & Skill Requirements

• 4‑year Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, advertising, economics, finance, analytics, or a related field. Relevant experience also applicable.
• 3+ years of experience in the programmatic ecosystem, using one or more Demand Side Platforms (DSP’s)
• Significant experience using ad‑serving platforms such as DV360, The Trade Desk, Beeswax, or StackAdapt
• Hands‑on trafficking experience in an ad server – Campaign Manager 360 or similar
• Experience leading & executing programmatic media strategy for clients
• Best‑in‑class written and verbal communication skills and client relationship skills.

Benefits

• Open leave (paid time off)
• Paid Leave for new parents
• Health insurance (including dental and vision)
• Flex Spending Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401K with company matching
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Professional development opportunities
• Rewards and recognition programs

Office Hours

This role is based out of our Austin office. Our Austin team works on a hybrid basis, with three days per week working in the office and two days per week working from home. Work hours are consistently 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday – Friday, with the expectation that evening and weekend work will be required as necessary.