Freelance Associate Director, Programmatic

USA (Remote)

$90/hr – $100/hrSenior Level5+ years expContract

Posted 4 weeks ago

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Job Summary

Own programmatic strategy and client advisory across DSPs, data, and tech partnerships to drive integrated growth with a cross-channel lens.

  • Growth orchestration: Lead strategic planning across SSPs, header bidding, attribution, and privacy-first targeting to fuse programmatic with other digital touchpoints.
  • Advisory and team growth: Translate complex tech stacks for senior stakeholders while coaching managers and associates for clear development paths.
  • Data and tech velocity: Drive first/third party data, identity solutions, and new tech partnerships to stay cookie-less and improve ROI.

Job Description

Responsibilities

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

Requirements

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

Preferred

    Benefits

      DEPT® logo

      DEPT®

      3.6 Glassdoor

      DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, 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. Certified B Corp and Climate Neutral since 2021.

      Founded in 2016
      Amsterdam, North Holland, NLD
      4.5K employees (1,449 in marketing)
      68% recommend to a friend
      85% CEO approval

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      Traffic Source Mix
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      40%
      Direct
      50.1%
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      Social
      1.8%
      Paid
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      Current headcount: ~4.5K

      Marketing Team

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      Marketing Roles Posted (Last 30 Days)
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