Responsibilities

• Own the tag management strategy. Select the tag management platform KCL will standardize on, then own site and app wide tagging architecture end to end, bringing legacy tags, floodlight activities, and orphaned pixels into a documented inventory where every tag has a named owner and a defined purpose.
• Implement the tag management platform. Stand up the chosen system, covering data layer design, naming and versioning conventions, environment separation, and a QA and approval workflow, then train marketing, product, and engineering partners to work within it. The goal is a scalable set-up where a small team can maintain the full platform confidently.
• Own ad trafficking and ad-server strategy. Evaluate, select, implement, and operate the ad-serving stack behind client-facing campaigns (Google Ad Manager, Freestar etc.), traffic creative and placements, and manage the technical relationship with ad-tech vendors and their reps.
• Deliver defensible impressions reporting. Design and stand behind the external, client-facing reporting methodology so it holds up under third-party verification.
• Keep internal and external measurement reconciled. Partner with Data Engineering and Analytics on where event data lands (Amplitude, Databricks) versus what routes through the external ad server, so the two paths agree rather than diverge.
• Put AI to work on ops-heavy work to increase productivity. Accelerate tag reviews, QA of trafficking setups, and reporting reconciliation, then turn what works into repeatable practices others can adopt.
• Keep KCL current with industry best practice. Bring outside-in knowledge of programmatic and display ad-serving standards, and adjust KCL's approach as the ad-tech landscape moves.
• Represent KCL with clients and across internal stakeholders. Navigate a complex internal stakeholder network spanning Data, Sales, Partner Revenue, Engineering, and join the Sales team in front of senior executives at large CPG brands and retail partners to explain KCL's measurement approach and what we can commit to / end of campaign presentations.
• Build the function. Begin as an individual contributor and player-coach, then hire and manage as the function's scope expands.

Requirements

• 10+ years in advertising operations or ad trafficking at a publisher, media company, or high-traffic consumer app, including direct ownership of a tag management platform such as Google Tag Manager or Tealium.
• Hands-on experience operating at least one enterprise ad server (Google Ad Manager/DFP, Freestar, or equivalent), including client-facing reporting that had to withstand outside scrutiny.
• Working fluency with the signal path into ad platforms: Meta CAPI alongside the Pixel, Google Ads enhanced conversions, and major ad platforms’ conversion APIs, with real ownership of identifier quality, event match rates, browser/server deduplication, and consent state.
• Ability to pull data independently directly with SQL when the answer is not already in a dashboard.
• Demonstrated use of AI tools to increase personal or team throughput on ops-heavy work.
• Proven ability to manage a complex internal stakeholder network, plus the presence to meet senior client-side executives at large CPG brands and retail partners alongside Sales.
• Comfort operating with significant autonomy and ambiguity.
• 5+ years leading an operations team of at least 3 technical individuals. Clear experience building and growing a high-performing team.

Preferred

• A proven track record of raising internal productivity with AI, and a willingness to champion the rollout of AI tooling to teams beyond Ad Ops.
• Advanced SQL plus one or more additional scripting languages (e.g. Python, PySpark) for reconciliation and QA work at scale.
• Experience leading a platform selection or migration, whether ad server or tag manager, rather than only steady-state operation of an inherited stack.
• Experience running or contracting a formal tag inventory and cleanup project, including floodlight rationalization and pixel governance.
• Agency background on the media or ad ops side, with direct exposure to how large advertisers structure their verification requirements.
• Familiarity with coupon and deals, retail media, or affiliate and sponsored-content business models.

Benefits

• Base Salary:   $160,000-$180,000
• 💻 Home Office Perks – We set you up for success with a company-provided laptop, a $450 home office stipend, and monthly reimbursements for internet and phone.
• 🌴 Time to Recharge – Enjoy 10 company holidays, a floating holiday, flexible PTO (or accrued PTO for select content roles), and a sabbatical every 5 years.
• ❤️ Health & Wellness – Choose from three insurance plans, with KCL covering 100% of medical and dental premiums (excluding the PPO buy-up). We also offer vision, life insurance, FSA, HSA contributions, fertility benefits, and an Employee Assistance Program.
• 💰 Financial & Retirement Benefits – A 401(k) with a 4% company match, multiple bonus opportunities, and professional development perks like certification reimbursement and public speaking bonuses.
• 👶 Family & Leave – Generous parental leave (12 weeks for carrying parents, 8 weeks for non-carrying), extended caregiver leave, and even time off if you're cast on Survivor !
• 💡 Community & Culture – Regular team check-ins, company-wide meetings, and a commitment to giving back through our KCL Foundation and service initiatives.