Associate Director, Programmatic

Code3

2d•$113,000 - $140,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Code3 is an integrated marketing agency that focuses on powering business growth for both digital disruptors and Fortune 500 leaders. The agency's core strengths lie at the intersection of Connections, Creative, and Commerce. Code3 utilizes audience data and insights to develop high-performing content and creative across all digital media platforms. The company culture is characterized by people who are energized by challenges, seek unconventional solutions, and operate as a unified team that is not afraid to push boundaries. Code3 values individuals who are Relentless, Gritty, and Nimble, with a constant drive for improvement. The agency is committed to empowering clients with efficient and impactful consumer engagement strategies. Code3's programmatic offering is a key part of this, combining digital channels for enhanced knowledge sharing, campaign management, consistent storytelling, and incrementality testing.

Requirements

6+ years of experience developing and activating programmatic media strategies, ideally within an agency environment.
Strong hands-on experience across DSPs such as The Trade Desk, DV360, and StackAdapt, including campaign setup, optimization, and troubleshooting.
Experience across CTV, OLV, display, and other programmatic channels, including PMP, Preferred, Programmatic Guaranteed, and direct publisher buys.
Strong understanding of the programmatic ecosystem, including DSPs, SSPs, publishers, data providers, and verification partners.
Experience developing audience strategies leveraging first-party data, contextual targeting, and modeled audiences.
Strong media planning, measurement, and analytical skills with the ability to translate performance into clear strategic recommendations.
Proven client-facing experience with the ability to simplify complex media concepts, anticipate needs, and act as a trusted advisor.
Experience building media partner relationships and contributing to new business pitches.
Relevant platform certifications are a plus.

Nice To Haves

Passion for the ever-changing media landscape and the evolving role of programmatic, CTV, and direct media.
A data-driven decision-maker passionate about exceeding client expectations.
Someone who enjoys being both strategic and hands-on and doesn’t want to lose touch with the platforms as they grow in seniority.
An entrepreneurial spirit who craves building, elevating, and adapting process.
An appetite for leveraging AI, automation, and other technologies to improve workflows, activation, and strategy.
A people person who enjoys building close relationships with your team, partners, and clients.
A natural curiosity for new publishers, platforms, formats, and ways brands can connect with consumers.
A passion for vocalizing thought leadership and new ideas via presentations, POVs, blogs, and other content distribution channels.
A problem solver with the ability to develop creative solutions and navigate complexity.

Responsibilities

Define and own programmatic and direct media strategy across a portfolio of clients, including CTV, OLV, display, native, audio, DOOH, high-impact, and emerging formats.
Lead strategy and activation across DSPs such as StackAdapt, DV360, and The Trade Desk, overseeing setup, pacing, optimization, QA, and troubleshooting.
Develop buying and audience strategies across open exchange, PMP, Preferred Deals, Programmatic Guaranteed, and direct IO opportunities.
Own media planning and performance best practices, including forecasting, budgeting, reach and frequency, learning agendas, optimization, and analysis.
Cultivate strategic relationships with publishers, platforms, and media partners, leading RFPs, evaluating opportunities, and negotiating direct and programmatic partnerships.
Identify and test new partners, formats, technologies, automation, and AI applications to enhance client strategies and performance.
Partner closely with Client Partnerships, Creative, Growth, and Analytics teams to align media strategy and measurement with broader client objectives.
Act as a storyteller and trusted client advisor, translating complex strategies, marketplace dynamics, and performance data into clear recommendations and business implications.
Mentor junior team members, support new business pitches, contribute to thought leadership, and drive the evolution of Code3’s programmatic and direct media capabilities.