Programmatic Director

The Shipyard is a leading, independent agency that builds performance-driven brands audiences can’t help but love.

By applying modern mindsets to established models, we fuel brand and marketing decisions that are more courageous and more validated.

Our ability to align bold creativity with individual consumer motivations lets us do more than hope for brand love – we methodically engineer it throughout the consumer journey. That’s how we activate the synergistic power of brand building and performance marketing.

Engineering Brand Love through the courageous ambitions of our people and our clients.

The agency has significant momentum and is on a roll with new business. Our team continues to expand across four cities (Columbus, Newport Beach, Sacramento, and San Diego) and we’re still growing. Come join our team!

SUMMARY

We are looking for a smart, experienced, and motivated Programmatic Director to join our San Diego team.

The Programmatic Director is responsible for leading our programmatic media buying and strategy, overseeing the execution and optimization of programmatic campaigns across buying platforms, with The Trade Desk being our priority. This role requires a unique combination of technical expertise in programmatic trading, strategic thinking for media planning, and leadership to drive innovation and performance. The Director will work closely with internal teams, clients, and technology partners to ensure that programmatic campaigns are seamlessly integrated into broader media strategies, delivering outstanding results and insights.

This is a hybrid work-from-home/office position (in-office attendance is required on Tuesdays & Thursdays) and the candidate must live near San Diego, CA.

At The Shipyard, we know that it's your unique talents, backgrounds, and perspectives that make you who you are, just like our team, who come from various career paths and experiences. We believe we can't be truly diverse without bringing your most authentic self to the agency.

Studies show that people from marginalized communities may not always apply for positions if they don't meet every single requirement in a job posting. At The Shipyard, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the requirements. We believe that your passion for what we stand for — our values and purpose — is just as important as meeting every checkbox. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Thought Leadership: Influence and inspire the agency and clients, elevating the programmatic discipline and shaping it as a growth opportunity for the agency. Generate thought leadership content and participate in industry conversations on programmatic media
• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a comprehensive programmatic media strategy that aligns with client objectives and agency goals. Provide visionary leadership for the agency and clients to anticipate market changes, technology advancements, and growth opportunities
• Programmatic Trading Expertise: Manage the hands-on, day-to-day execution of programmatic buys, including strategy development, campaign setup, monitoring, optimization, and analysis. Ensure campaigns meet targeted performance goals while maximizing efficiency and ROI
• Team Development and Mentorship: Lead, mentor, and build a highly skilled programmatic trading team. Foster an environment of continuous learning and development, encouraging team members to deepen their expertise in programmatic media
• Data Analysis and Insights: Utilize advanced analytics to interpret campaign data, generating insights that drive strategy and optimization. Present complex results and strategies to clients and internal teams in a clear and compelling manner
• Client and Internal Collaboration: Serve as the primary programmatic expert for clients and internal teams, providing strategic recommendations and insights. Build strong relationships with clients, third-party vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure collaborative and effective campaign management
• Innovation and Growth: Stay at the forefront of programmatic media trends and technologies - within. Identify and evaluate new programmatic expansion and optimization opportunities, including emerging platforms, data sources, and trading strategies
• Operational Excellence: Oversee programmatic budgeting, billing, and reconciliation processes. Ensure that all programmatic activities adhere to industry best practices and agency standards for quality and performance

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in digital media buying, with at least 4 years focused on programmatic trading
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful programmatic campaigns that meet or exceed objectives
• Deep understanding of the programmatic ecosystem, including DSPs, SSPs, DMPs, and third-party data providers
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to derive meaningful insights from complex data
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of conveying technical concepts to non-technical audiences
• Leadership experience with the ability to mentor and develop talent
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically and creatively

WHAT YOU'LL GET

• The overall target range of base compensation for this role is $105,000 - $126,000 Compensation offered will be determined by additional factors such as location and experience
• 40 hours of paid sick time (annually)
• Open PTO
• Flexible work hours and remote work
• Paid holidays + holiday closure between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance and disability benefits
• 401k program with employer matching
• 6 weeks paid parental leave
• Employee bonus referrals
• Dog-friendly offices 
• Company-provided snacks and beverages (yes, beer/wine included)
• … and lots more!

Requirements

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for visa sponsorship