Job Description

C2's client, an independent New York-focused media planning and buying firm, seeks a Director of Programmatic Trading & Data to lead its in-house trading function while helping expand the agency's programmatic, data, and revenue capabilities.

Our client develops customized media strategies that help clients maximize their investment across an evolving media landscape. Following the acquisition of a creative agency, the team is continuing to grow its omnichannel capabilities while investing in stronger internal operations, scalable workflows, and differentiated offerings across programmatic, analytics, and media activation.

This role is built for a senior programmatic leader who is equally comfortable leading strategy, mentoring traders, QA'ing campaigns in-platform, and helping shape the future of the department. The right person understands the realities of independent agency life, brings a no-job-too-small attitude, and knows how to balance operational rigor, innovation, and collaborative leadership without ego.

Start Date: ASAP, ideally before the end of the quarter
Duration: Direct Hire
Location: Hybrid, 2 days/week in New York City office
Compensation: Approximately $120,000 annually, with potential for spot bonuses and additional compensation tied to new business growth
Technology: TBD

Interview Process:
Initial interview with Chief Innovation & Analytics Officer
Second interview with the trading team and leadership
Final interview with the CEO

Job Description

The Director of Programmatic Trading & Data oversees our client's in-house trading team while helping evolve the agency's programmatic operations, data partnerships, and external programmatic offerings.

This is a hands-on leadership role overseeing a small but growing trading team. Success comes from combining deep DSP expertise with operational leadership, strong collaboration, thoughtful mentorship, and a willingness to jump into the work alongside the team when needed.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and mentor the in-house trading team across omnichannel programmatic activation including display, video, CTV, audio, DOOH, native, and high-impact media
• Establish and refine workflows, QA processes, KPIs, and operational best practices across trading and campaign management
• Maintain hands-on involvement in platform execution, optimization, troubleshooting, and campaign QA
• Partner with analytics and media leadership to align data strategy with omnichannel planning, attribution, measurement, and privacy-compliant audience activation
• Evaluate and onboard new data, identity, attribution, and measurement partners to strengthen audience targeting and cross-channel insights
• Support business development efforts by helping position the agency's programmatic and data capabilities within pitches, presentations, and external partnerships
• Drive innovation across automation, testing frameworks, AI-assisted workflows, and emerging programmatic platforms
• Collaborate with leadership on department structure, operational improvements, and team development
• Manage relationships with external partners, vendors, and platform representatives

Requirements:

• 7–10+ years of experience in programmatic media and digital activation
• Proven experience managing a trading team and in-house programmatic function
• Independent or mid-sized agency experience
• Deep expertise across DSPs including The Trade Desk, DV360, and omnichannel programmatic buying environments
• Comfortable managing up, managing down, and serving as a thought partner to leadership
• Experience helping build scalable trading operations within a growing agency
• Strong understanding of audience strategy, identity resolution, attribution, privacy, and measurement frameworks
• Hands-on platform experience with the ability to execute, optimize, troubleshoot, and QA campaigns directly within DSPs
• Experience building or refining operational processes and workflows within programmatic teams
• Familiarity with verification and brand safety tools such as DoubleVerify or IAS
• Experience contributing to business development, sales, or revenue growth initiatives
• Ability to operate as both a strategic leader and hands-on operator
• Collaborative, adaptable leadership style with high EQ

Nice to Have:

• Experience commercializing programmatic or data capabilities as external offerings
• Exposure to social platform data partnerships or omnichannel audience strategy

Not your type of gig, but know someone who would be interested? Refer a qualified candidate, and if they get the job, you get a signing bonus! (Make sure they mention your name as their referral source so you get your well-deserved credit!)

All candidates must be located and authorized to work in the United States. C2 does not sponsor work visas. No C2C.