Associate Director, Programmatic

DEPT®•CO, US, AZ, US, UT, US, OR, US, CA, US, WA, IL, US, NY, US, FL, US, US - Remote, WA

4d•$100,000 - $110,000•Remote

About The Position

The Freelance Associate Director, Programmatic is a strategic leadership role focused on account health and craft innovation. This role steers the programmatic direction for a portfolio of accounts, moving beyond the tactical to act as a senior consultant on automated buying. The individual is responsible for identifying how programmatic can bridge the gap between brand awareness and performance, while navigating the complexities of an evolving, privacy-first digital landscape. As a leader within the craft, this role ensures strategies are not only meeting KPIs but pushing the boundaries of what automated media can achieve.

Requirements

5–7 years of programmatic experience, with a proven track record of strategic planning and account leadership within an agency setting.
Deep knowledge of the programmatic landscape, including SSP dynamics, Header Bidding, Clean Rooms, and Attribution modeling.
Advanced proficiency in multiple DSPs (e.g., The Trade Desk, DV360, Amazon DSP, Walmart Connect) and Ad Servers (CM360).
The ability to influence cross-functional teams and build implicit trust with senior client stakeholders.
You can interpret complex data sets to identify high-level trends and provide strategic recommendations that move "hearts and minds."
A "get sht done" mentality when it comes to troubleshooting technical issues or navigating industry shifts.
A passion for collaboration and a commitment to nurturing talent within the Programmatic craft.

Responsibilities

Steer the programmatic strategy for high-profile clients, ensuring that automated media buying is integrated into their broader business and marketing goals.
Direct the implementation of 1st and 3rd party data strategies, helping clients navigate the cookie-less future through identity solutions and privacy-centric targeting.
Act as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, translating technical programmatic complexities into clear business value and growth opportunities.
Lead the evaluation and onboarding of new programmatic tech partners, including DSPs, SSPs, and Dynamic Creative Optimization (DCO) platforms.
Partner with Search, Social, and SEO leads to drive a "Total Media" approach, ensuring programmatic inventory complements other digital touchpoints.
Identify and pitch proactive growth opportunities within your portfolio, contributing to the agency's organic revenue through strategic expansion.
Manage and mentor a team of Managers and Associates, overseeing their tactical output and providing a clear path for their professional development.

Benefits

DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).
We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle, or disabilities.
We offer accommodations for candidates who need them.
DEPT® participates in E-Verify.
We are a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work.
We have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place.
DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster.
Our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data.
We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move.
Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Coach, eBay, and OpenAI.
We take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive.
We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.
We encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.