HEAD OF AD TECH

Media24; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 95 000 - 135 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media company in South Africa is seeking a Head of Ad Tech to lead its advertising technology strategy. The successful candidate will drive innovations in programmatic advertising and lead a high-performing team. Required qualifications include an Honours degree in a relevant field and extensive experience in digital advertising, encompassing leadership roles with P&L responsibility. This position combines strategic oversight with technical expertise, aimed at maximizing revenue and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• At least six years of progressive experience in digital advertising or ad tech.
• Minimum four years in senior leadership managing ad tech teams.
• Experience with data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute ad tech strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Architect and maintain ad tech platforms for efficiency.
• Build and mentor a high-performing ad tech team.
• Drive user acquisition and manage relationships with ad tech vendors.

Skills

Technical expertise in programmatic advertising ecosystems

Leadership skills

Analytical and problem-solving abilities

Outstanding communication skills

Education

Honours degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or Mathematics

Tools

Google Ad Manager

SQL

Python/R

Job description

We’re looking for an innovative Head of Ad Tech to lead our advertising technology strategy and drive innovation in the rapidly evolving advertising landscape. This senior leadership role, reporting to the Chief Information Officer, is perfect for a strategic thinker with deep technical expertise who thrives on building cutting-edge ad tech solutions, optimising programmatic campaigns and scaling revenue through advanced advertising technologies.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic leadership & vision

• Develop and execute comprehensive ad tech strategy aligned with business growth objectives and revenue targets
• Drive innovation through AI, machine learning and automation to optimise targeting, creative execution and campaign performance
• Lead digital transformation initiatives and establish best practices for programmatic advertising operations
• Identify emerging market opportunities in new platforms, ad formats and programmatic channels

Technical platform management

• Architect and maintain enterprise-wide ad tech platforms supporting both programmatic and managed service advertising
• Oversee integration and optimization of DSPs, SSPs, DMPs and ad exchanges for maximum efficiency and ROI
• Implement advanced audience targeting capabilities
• Ensure robust data management, privacy compliance and brand safety across all advertising initiatives

Team leadership & development

• Build, lead and mentor a high-performing team of ad tech engineers and programmatic specialists
• Foster cross-functional collaboration with marketing, creative, product, data science and engineering teams
• Establish clear performance metrics, career development pathways and operational excellence standards
• Drive knowledge sharing and continuous learning in fast-evolving ad tech landscape

Revenue growth & partnerships

• Drive user acquisition, retention and engagement through high-impact advertising strategies
• Manage strategic relationships with key ad tech vendors, agencies and technology partners
• Scale programmatic practices to maximise revenue
• Present performance insights and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and key stakeholders

Required Qualifications, Experience and Competencies

Education & experience

• Honours degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics or related field
• At least six years of progressive experience in digital advertising, ad tech or programmatic advertising
• Minimum four years in senior leadership roles managing ad tech teams and P&L responsibility
• Proven track record of scaling ad tech operations and delivering significant revenue growth

Technical expertise

• Deep expertise in programmatic advertising ecosystems including DSPs, SSPs, ad exchanges, and real-time bidding
• Advanced knowledge of Google Ad Manager, Prebid, The Trade Desk, Amazon DSP and other major platforms
• Strong understanding of data management platforms (DMPs), customer data platforms (CDPs), and audience segmentation
• Experience with ad serving technologies, attribution modelling and cross-device tracking
• Proficiency in SQL, Python/R and advanced analytics tools for campaign optimisation
• Knowledge of privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA) and their impact on advertising technology

Leadership & business acumen

• Exceptional leadership skills with demonstrated ability to inspire and manage technical teams in fast-paced environments
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with data-driven decision-making approach
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills for internal and external stakeholder management
• Experience managing budgets, vendor relationships, and complex technology integrations
• Strategic thinking ability to translate technical capabilities into business opportunities

Industry knowledge

• Deep understanding of digital advertising trends, including CTV/OTT, mobile, video and emerging ad formats
• Experience with AI/ML-driven automation tools and predictive analytics for advertising optimisation
• Knowledge of brand safety tools, fraud prevention and ad quality management systems
• Understanding of attribution modelling, multi-touch attribution and measurement frameworks

Given the employment equity policy of Media24, preference will be given to suitable candidates from the designated groups