Associate Media Director - Programmatic Buying

Job description

Company Description

Our agency client is seeking a Programmatic Buying AMD to lead self-service buying operations and drive performance excellence for a higher education client. This leadership role oversees a team of 3-5 Platform Buyers managing multi-channel programmatic execution across video, audio, display, and social. You’ll be responsible for strategic direction, team development, and ensuring campaigns achieve enrollment recruitment goals. This position requires both programmatic expertise and proven leadership skills within an integrated media environment.

Contract Details:

• 35-40 hours/week
• 6 month engagement, with strong likelihood to extend into 12 months
• Immediate start
• Looking for candidates based in Boston or NYC but the role will be remote. EST is ideal
• $65-70/hr

Job Description

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead and mentor a team of 3-5 Platform Buyers responsible for hands-on-keyboard campaign execution across DSPs and social platforms
• Provide clear strategic direction while empowering team members to execute with autonomy
• Conduct regular performance reviews, skill development sessions, and career growth conversations
• Foster a culture of testing, learning, and optimization within the buying team
• Balance team management responsibilities with collaborative, hands-on involvement in strategic campaign decisions
• Ensure team accountability for on-time, on-budget, high-quality campaign execution

Strategic Campaign Management:

• Oversee multi-channel programmatic buying operations across video (CTV/OLV), audio (streaming/podcast), display (programmatic), and social platforms
• Develop advanced optimization strategies that push performance boundaries and align with enrollment recruitment goals
• Provide strategic direction on campaign design, audience targeting, creative approaches, and platform utilization
• Partner with planning, analytics, and client teams to ensure campaigns align with institutional objectives and KPIs
• Make data-driven decisions on budget allocation, platform mix, and tactical pivots to maximize enrollment outcomes
• Ensure adherence to best practices, timelines, and quality standards across all buying operations

Client & Stakeholder Partnership:

• Serve as primary buying contact for higher education client, building trust through expertise and results
• Present campaign performance, optimization strategies, and recommendations to client stakeholders with confidence
• Translate complex programmatic concepts into clear insights that demonstrate value and impact on enrollment
• Manage client expectations while advocating for innovative approaches and necessary optimizations
• Provide valuable feedback and strategic POVs that inform broader media strategy and planning

Platform & Vendor Management:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with platform technology partners (Google, Amazon, Meta, Snapchat, TikTok, etc.)
• Stay current on platform updates, new features, and beta opportunities relevant to education marketing
• Identify and evaluate new technologies, data sources, or tactics that could drive enrollment results
• Negotiate preferred access to inventory, beta features, or added value opportunities
• Ensure team leverages full platform capabilities and stays ahead of industry changes

Performance & Analytics:

• Set performance expectations and ensure campaigns achieve delivery and KPI goals (inquiries, applications, enrollments)
• Guide advanced analytics approaches including attribution modeling, incrementality testing, and audience analysis
• Review and approve weekly, monthly, and quarterly performance reports before client delivery
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities in campaign data; translate findings into strategic recommendations
• Contribute to process improvements that enhance efficiency, quality, or performance outcomes

Qualifications

• 6+ years of professional experience in digital media buying with focus on programmatic and social platforms
• 2+ years managing teams responsible for hands-on-keyboard campaign execution
• Advanced expertise across programmatic DSPs (DV360, Amazon DSP) and social platforms (Meta, Snapchat, TikTok, LinkedIn)
• Deep understanding of digital advertising ecosystem including supply paths, data strategies, and measurement approaches
• Experience in higher education marketing, student recruitment, or education services strongly preferred
• Proven track record achieving performance goals and driving measurable business results
• Strong analytical capabilities with ability to translate data into strategic insights
• Excellent presentation and communication skills for C-level stakeholder interactions
• Demonstrated leadership abilities including coaching, conflict resolution, and team development

IDEAL CANDIDATE DEMONSTRATES

• Strategic vision combined with operational excellence in programmatic buying
• Understanding of higher education recruitment challenges, enrollment funnel, and category dynamics
• Expertise reaching Gen Z audiences through programmatic and social channels
• Ability to manage up, down, and across organizational structures effectively
• Solutions-oriented leadership style that empowers team while ensuring accountability
• Track record of process innovation and operational improvement
• Passion for media innovation and staying ahead of industry trends
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or related field

Additional Information

SUCCESS METRICS

• Team achievement of enrollment KPIs across all managed campaigns (cost per inquiry, cost per application, cost per enrollment)
• Campaign delivery accuracy and budget stewardship across portfolio
• Team development and retention (skill growth, engagement, performance)
• Performance improvements through optimization and testing initiatives
• Quality of strategic insights and recommendations provided to stakeholders
• Successful identification and implementation of innovative tactics or platforms
• Client satisfaction and strength of relationship

We Are Rosie is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical​​​ condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or ​expression, veteran status, marital status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.