Learfield
Director, Programmatic Revenue & Operations
Learfield, Dallas, TX
The Director of Programmatic Revenue and Operations is responsible for leading the ad operations team and overseeing the programmatic advertising strategies for the organization. This role focuses on the development, execution, and optimization of ad campaigns, while ensuring seamless delivery across programmatic and direct channels. The director will drive revenue growth, lead a team of ad operations professionals, and collaborate closely with sales, marketing, and analytics teams to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of campaigns.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Strategy:
Programmatic Campaign Management:
Cross-Department Collaboration:
Ad Operations Oversight:
Vendor and Partner Management:
Data & Reporting:
Requirements:
Education:
Experience:
Skills:
This role is designed for a seasoned professional with a mix of technical and strategic expertise, particularly in programmatic and ad tech. The candidate is expected to manage both day-to-day operations and high-level strategic initiatives.
Learfield offers a full spectrum of benefits for eligible employees including Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Life Insurance and Other Insurance Plans, Flexible Paid Time Off (including Parental Leave), Paid Holidays, 401(k), and Short/Long Term Disability.
Learfield is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Strategy:
- Lead and manage the ad operations team, including programmatic specialists, ad traffickers, and campaign managers.
- Develop and execute the ad operations and programmatic strategy, aligning with overall company goals.
- Act as a key stakeholder in the selection of new programmatic platforms, ad servers, and relevant technologies.
- Drive innovation within ad operations to improve workflow efficiency, including automating manual processes.
Programmatic Campaign Management:
- Oversee the end-to-end execution of programmatic ad campaigns across multiple platforms (DSPs, SSPs, ad exchanges).
- Ensure campaigns are delivered on time, within budget, and meet performance KPIs.
- Provide expertise on audience targeting, inventory management, and bidding strategies.
- Lead optimization strategies and ensure that programmatic campaigns are continuously analyzed and adjusted for optimal performance.
Cross-Department Collaboration:
- Work closely with the sales team to develop programmatic packages and offerings for clients.
- Collaborate with the analytics and insights teams to measure campaign performance and provide actionable insights.
- Partner with product and engineering teams to integrate ad technology solutions and ensure seamless technical operations.
Ad Operations Oversight:
- Oversee all ad trafficking, QA, troubleshooting, and reporting activities.
- Ensure smooth and accurate campaign setup, ad placement, and optimization across channels (display, video, mobile, social, etc.).
- Implement and maintain ad server tools and ensure data integrity and accuracy in campaign reports.
- Identify and resolve any discrepancies or issues related to campaign delivery or performance.
Vendor and Partner Management:
- Maintain relationships with key programmatic vendors (DSPs, ad networks, tech providers).
- Negotiate contracts and pricing with third-party partners and ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Keep up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and new advertising opportunities.
Data & Reporting:
- Develop and manage comprehensive reporting on the performance of campaigns and the ad operations team.
- Deliver insights to senior management to inform strategic decisions regarding ad revenue and programmatic growth.
- Oversee data collection and analysis for campaign reporting and programmatic performance metrics.
Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Business, or a related field.
- An MBA or equivalent advanced degree is a plus.
Experience:
- 7+ years of experience in digital advertising with a strong focus on programmatic and ad operations.
- Proven experience managing programmatic ad campaigns across multiple platforms (GAM, Google Ads, The Trade Desk, DV360, etc.).
- 3+ years in a leadership role, managing teams and working cross-functionally.
- Deep understanding of the ad tech ecosystem (Ad Servers, DSPs, SSPs, DMPs, ad exchanges).
Skills:
- Strong analytical and technical skills, with proficiency in tools such as Google Analytics, Excel, SQL, or other analytics platforms.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, data-driven environment and manage multiple campaigns simultaneously.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on innovative solutions.
This role is designed for a seasoned professional with a mix of technical and strategic expertise, particularly in programmatic and ad tech. The candidate is expected to manage both day-to-day operations and high-level strategic initiatives.
Learfield offers a full spectrum of benefits for eligible employees including Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Life Insurance and Other Insurance Plans, Flexible Paid Time Off (including Parental Leave), Paid Holidays, 401(k), and Short/Long Term Disability.
Learfield is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.