Associate Director, Programmatic

Code3 is an integrated marketing agency, powering business growth for digital disruptors and Fortune 500 leaders alike. Our power is at the intersection of Connections, Creative and Commerce – that’s what is in our DNA. By harvesting insights and utilizing audience data, we work with our clients to develop scroll-stopping content and creative that performs and elevates the brands we work with across all digital media platforms.

Our people are energized by challenges and sprint to find unorthodox solutions. We plan, activate and measure as one team, and we’re not afraid to push boundaries and test our way to success. Coders are Relentless, Gritty, Nimble humans who are always striving to be better.

We believe in empowering our clients with the most efficient & impactful ways to engage with their consumers. Code3 brings the same dedication to excellence and success we see across media to our programmatic offering. Combining digital channels under one umbrella allows for faster cross channel knowledge share, efficient campaign management, consistent creative storytelling, and incrementality testing.

The Opportunity

As an Associate Director, Programmatic & Direct Media, you’ll be responsible for managing and elevating programmatic and direct media strategy, activation and thought leadership across a portfolio of clients spanning several categories. You have a deep passion for the evolving media landscape and understand how programmatic, CTV and publisher partnerships fit into the broader media ecosystem.

You’ll work closely with a cross-disciplinary team across both challenger and enterprise accounts. You’ll be charged with developing smart media strategies, managing performance and partner relationships, and shifting thinking beyond individual platforms and campaign tactics to connect media investment with broader business objectives and outcomes.

This is a hands-on, client-facing role. You should be equally comfortable building a programmatic strategy, evaluating a new media partner, presenting recommendations to a client, or getting into a DSP to troubleshoot and optimize a campaign.

What you’ll do:

• Define and own programmatic and direct media strategy across your portfolio, spanning CTV, OLV, display, native, audio, DOOH, high-impact and emerging formats
• Lead strategy and activation across DSPs including StackAdapt, DV360, The Trade Desk and others, maintaining the hands-on expertise to oversee 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 across 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 that can improve client strategies and performance
• Partner closely with Client Partnerships, Creative, Growth and Analytics teams to connect media strategy and measurement to broader client objectives
• Be a storyteller and trusted client advisor, turning complex strategies, marketplace dynamics and performance data into clear recommendations and business implications
• Mentor junior team members while supporting new business pitches, thought leadership and the continued evolution of Code3’s programmatic and direct media capabilities

Who will love this role:

• 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

You should have:

• 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

Perks and Benefits:

• Full medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as generous retirement program 
• Thoughtful parental leave and return program
• Flexible Time Off, holidays, quarterly Company “Recharge” Days, and holiday closure in December
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Commitment to transparent DEIB practices

Code3’s people are what set us apart. We’re dedicated to hiring, retaining, and developing a diverse group of remarkable Coders because we know it’s the way things should be. By prioritizing our commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and safe environment, we are living our mission of fueling the growth of our people. It’s this focus that empowers Coders to not only achieve great work for our clients, but also propel their own development forward and upward. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds and all identities to apply even if you don’t feel that you meet all of the requirements above!

If you have any special needs that we can accommodate, please reach out to our team at [email protected] so we can make accommodations.

Salary Information: The base salary range for this position is $113,000-$140,000 and is commensurate with candidate experience and location. Compensation for this position also includes up to a 7% bonus based on performance.

For candidates that are based in California, we encourage you to review this important information for California residents here. For best results, open the link in a new tab.