Company: Mediabrands

Location: Toronto, ON

Expected salary:

Job date: Thu, 31 Jul 2025 22:18:38 GMT

Job description: Position SummaryThe Associate Director, Programmatic is responsible for developing innovative, audience-based programmatic campaigns that challenge digital norms and deliver outstanding results across a portfolio of KINESSO clients. The Associate Director will provide thought leadership on audience strategies, optimization approach, and campaign architecture and will serve as the primary day-to-day contact for both our agency partners and clients.This role requires a highly collaborative individual who is analytical and leverages data-driven insights to develop and deliver precise, effective tactical recommendations – ensuring they address and meet client business goals and KPIs. The ideal candidate will have deep experience in programmatic campaign management (display, video, audio, CTV, DOOH); extensive in-console experience with DSPs and exchange-based media buying; superior analytical thinking ability, excellent presentation/client servicing skills and experience managing direct reports.Key Responsibilities

• Act as the subject matter expert for programmatic strategy, providing informed channel and platform recommendations. Develop targeted, innovative programmatic campaigns aligned with client strategies and business objectives.
• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for agency partners and clients, ensuring clear communication and alignment
• Manage the programmatic team’s operations, including task management through Asana and maintaining efficient workflows.

• Oversee the team in running and optimizing campaigns with different goals/KPIs. Ensure DSPs recommendations made are based on historical performance against each KPI with consideration for broader agency objectives.

• Confidently and effectively communicate and recommend technical solutions with agency partners that drive client business results.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendor partners to identify emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities for client growth.

• Proactively managing potential issues that may be flagged by senior management or team members regarding campaign performance overall (e.g. low viewability placements, non-brand safe sites etc.) and identify opportunities for optimization (e.g. high performing placements with low eCPMs)

• Accountable for reviewing and approving campaigns and ensuring budgets align, naming conventions are accurate and selecting proper DSP’s to align with campaign goals.

• Ensure that client expectations are met and adapt or make recommendations to adjust as required.

• Support finance primes and senior leadership team with pulling ad hoc reports and drawing meaningful insights to support business decisions.

• In partnership with Director, make recommendations to implement process improvements that better set up the team to perform more efficiently and effectively.

• Ensure processes are effectively communicated and consistently adhered to by team members.

• Deep understanding of organization’s business objectives and challenges; proactively uncover new opportunities for products and solution offerings.

• Act as a subject matter expert and further develop partnerships with DSP (demand side platform) partners to ensure awareness of new features and address technical issues.

• Accountable for ensuring all team members are trained in required areas and have completed required certifications (Adobe, Google, etc.)

• Oversee the team and ensure they are utilizing advanced optimization techniques.

• Proactively presents strategic brand solutions to client teams.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Professional or Educational background in Marketing or Advertising would give leverage to this application.

• Leadership and advanced experience in programmatic display, video, audio, CTV, DOOH, trafficking or ad operations

• Experience optimizing campaigns

• Familiarity with ad serving and campaign management tools would give leverage to this application. (e.g. CM360, Google Analytics, Google Ad Sense, etc.)

• Basic understanding of tagging for analytics

• Fundamental knowledge of online media metrics and analysis

• Learning agility, with a passion for continuous development.

• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).

• Highly developed organizational skills with attention to detail accuracy.

• Excellent ability to manage and prioritize time effectively.

• Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently.

• Proactive approach to problem solving, assisting the team, self-development, etc.

• Ability to develop and foster relationships with media partners and clients.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and Google Workspace (Google Doc, Sheets, Slides etc.)

• Demonstrated ability using Excel, with knowledge of pivot tables, basic formulas and visualizations.

KINESSO is the technology-driven performance marketing agency that sits at the very heart of IPG Mediabrands, providing actionable growth for both our agency partners and clients. We turn ‘action’ into ‘outcome’ for our clients, leveraging our unique capabilities in optimization, analytics, AI, and experimentation. KINESSO has brought together the collective power of what was formerly Matterkind, Reprise, and Kinesso under one collective entity that will serve as the most powerful delivery engine in the industry. We have extensive offerings spanning across performance marketing and data and technology. Fueled by a deep understanding of consumer behavior, we offer an end-to-end engine of planning and optimization while also delivering on data-driven strategy for social platforms, actionable growth in e-commerce, and creating curated marketplaces specific to each client’s function and needs. The company has more than 6,000 employees operating in more than 60 countries. Learn more atWhat’s in it for you?

• Generous paid time off with a minimum of 37 paid days off including vacation and monthly wellness days. We also have four-day long weekends, half-day summer Fridays, and meeting-free Friday afternoons year-round.
• A flexible hybrid work model that works for you.
• A focus on personal development with formal training opportunities, including mental health training and inclusion education for everyone.
• A chance to be part of and grow within a global network of agencies.
• The opportunity to contribute to our company culture by joining one of our many community-based employee groups, such as Black Employee Network, Girls on Fire, Hispanic or Latinx Alliance, Neuro Network, Pan-Asian Network, and Rainbow Lounge.

KINESSO is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, colour, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, provincial, or municipal law. If you require an accommodation in any aspect of the selection process, please reach out to

Position Summary – Associate Director, Programmatic

The Associate Director, Programmatic at KINESSO leads the development of innovative, audience-focused programmatic campaigns, ensuring excellent results for clients. This role involves thought leadership on audience strategies, optimization, and campaign architecture, serving as the main contact for agency partners and clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Expertise and Strategy: Act as the subject matter expert for programmatic strategies and develop targeted campaigns aligned with client goals.
• Communication: Maintain clear communication with agency partners and manage team operations using task management tools.
• Campaign Management: Oversee campaign optimization based on performance against KPIs, providing technical solutions to enhance client results.
• Relationship Management: Build strong relationships with vendor partners, identifying trends and growth opportunities.
• Performance Oversight: Proactively address campaign issues and ensure budgets align with goals.
• Team Leadership: Ensure team members are trained, utilizing advanced optimization techniques, and adhering to processes.
• Business Insight: Support senior leadership with insights for decision-making and identify new opportunities for solutions.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Marketing or advertising background.
• Leadership experience in programmatic media (display, video, audio, CTV, DOOH).
• Familiarity with campaign management tools (e.g., CM360, Google Analytics).
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

Company Overview

KINESSO is a performance marketing agency under IPG Mediabrands, focusing on actionable growth through optimization, analytics, and data-driven strategies. With over 6,000 employees in 60 countries, KINESSO promotes a culture of community, personal development, and equal opportunities.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including wellness days and long weekends.
• Flexible hybrid work model.
• Opportunities for personal development and community engagement.

KINESSO is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities for all.