[Hiring] Director Of Programmatic Media Buying @Gray Media

Role Description

We are seeking an experienced Director of Programmatic Media Buying to lead and scale a high-performing programmatic media organization. This role is responsible for overseeing strategy, execution, optimization, and innovation across a large portfolio of digital advertising campaigns spanning display, video, streaming TV, audio, native, gaming, and emerging digital channels.

The ideal candidate is a proven programmatic leader who thrives in a high-volume, fast-paced environment and has experience managing complex campaign operations at scale. This individual will lead a team of 15+ programmatic professionals, drive operational excellence, develop scalable processes, and leverage technology to deliver measurable results for clients.

This is a unique opportunity for a strategic operator who combines deep programmatic expertise with strong people leadership, technical knowledge, and the ability to influence the future direction of a growing digital media organization.

Duties/Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Programmatic Leadership & Strategy:
  • Own the overall programmatic media buying strategy across multiple digital channels, including display, online video, CTV/OTT, streaming audio, native, gaming, and digital out-of-home.
  • Lead a high-volume programmatic operation responsible for managing thousands of campaigns and significant monthly media spend.
  • Establish best practices around campaign execution, optimization, measurement, and reporting.
  • Drive innovation by evaluating new technologies, inventory sources, data partnerships, and emerging advertising solutions.
  • Serve as the organization's programmatic subject matter expert and strategic advisor.
• Team Leadership & Development:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 15+ programmatic buyers, strategists, and specialists.
  • Build a culture focused on accountability, operational excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Develop training programs, workflows, and career development paths to scale team capabilities.
  • Create performance standards and processes that enable consistent execution across a large campaign portfolio.
  • Partner with recruiting and leadership teams to attract and retain top programmatic talent.
• Campaign Operations & Optimization:
  • Oversee the complete lifecycle of programmatic campaigns, from strategy and activation through optimization and reporting.
  • Ensure campaigns are launched accurately, delivered efficiently, and optimized toward client performance goals.
  • Develop optimization frameworks across:
    • Audience targeting and data strategies
    • Geographic performance
    • Creative performance
    • Inventory and publisher quality
    • SSP and marketplace relationships
    • Device, browser, and operating system performance
    • Frequency management and attribution strategies
  • Analyze performance trends and translate data into actionable insights for internal teams and clients.
• Technology & Platform Expertise:
  • Lead programmatic execution across enterprise DSP platforms, including:
    • The Trade Desk
    • Other DSP and media buying platforms as needed
  • Maintain deep expertise in:
    • Audience segmentation and activation
    • First-party and third-party data strategies
    • Contextual targeting
    • Conversion tracking and attribution
    • Pixel implementation and measurement solutions
    • Campaign automation and workflow optimization
  • Partner with technology teams to improve integrations, reporting capabilities, and operational efficiency.
• Business Growth & Innovation:
  • Collaborate with sales, product, and executive leadership teams to develop differentiated programmatic solutions.
  • Identify opportunities to increase revenue, improve margins, and expand product offerings.
  • Support the development of new advertising capabilities and go-to-market strategies.
  • Build strong relationships with clients, vendors, and technology partners.
  • Other Duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in digital media, programmatic advertising, or ad technology.
• 5+ years of experience leading programmatic teams or digital media operations.
• Proven experience managing teams of 15+ employees.
• Extensive experience operating in a high-volume programmatic environment with complex campaign workflows.
• Advanced knowledge of enterprise DSP platforms, particularly The Trade Desk.
• Strong understanding of programmatic buying, audience targeting, attribution, measurement, and optimization strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to build scalable processes and improve operational efficiency.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.

Requirements

• Experience transitioning or scaling an in-house programmatic operation.
• Experience managing large-scale digital advertising budgets.
• Experience across omnichannel advertising solutions, including CTV/OTT, audio, gaming, native, and DOOH.
• Experience launching new digital advertising products or capabilities.
• Experience working with enterprise clients and multi-market campaigns.
• Strong understanding of ad tech integrations, pixels, tagging solutions, and measurement platforms.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical(Rx), Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Health Savings Account with Company contributions
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employer-paid life and disability benefits
• Paid parental leave benefits
• Adoption and Surrogacy Benefits
• 401(k) Plan, including matching and profit-sharing contributions
• Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary benefits, including Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, Accident Insurance, and supplemental life insurance coverage
• Paid Time Off, including Relocation PTO