Director of Programmatic Trading & Data (New York)

C2’s client, an award-winning, independent, women-owned media planning and buying agency, seeks a Director of Programmatic Trading & Data to lead its in-house trading function while helping expand its programmatic, data, and revenue capabilities.

For more than 20 years, the firm has built data-driven media strategies for clients across government, public health, higher education, hospitality, and the arts. It has placed more than $1 billion in media in the New York market, earned back-to-back national industry awards for its public service work, and powers its campaigns with proprietary analytics and optimization tools. With its recent acquisition of a creative shop, the team is broadening its omnichannel reach while investing in stronger internal infrastructure, scalable workflows, and new offerings across programmatic, analytics, and media activation.

This role is built for a senior programmatic leader who moves easily between setting strategy, mentoring traders, and working inside the platforms, all while helping shape the future of the department. The right person understands the realities of boutique agency life, brings a no-job-too-small attitude, and balances operational rigor and innovation with people-first leadership.

Start Date: ASAP, ideally before the end of the year

Duration: Direct Hire

Location: Hybrid, 2 days/week in New York City office

Compensation: $130,000 to $150,000, commensurate with experience

Benefits: TBD

Technology: TBD

Interview Process:

Initial interview with the Chief Innovation & Analytics Officer

Second interview with the trading team and leadership

Final interview with the CEO

Job Description

This is an execution-forward leadership role on a small, growing trading team, with real influence over how the agency’s programmatic and data capabilities take shape for clients and in the market.

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 standards, KPIs, and best practices across trading and campaign management
• Execute, optimize, troubleshoot, and QA campaigns directly in-platform
• Align data strategy with omnichannel planning, measurement, and privacy-compliant audience activation, working closely with analytics and media leadership
• Evaluate and onboard new data, identity, and attribution partners to sharpen audience targeting and cross-channel insights
• Support business development by positioning the agency’s programmatic and data capabilities in pitches, presentations, and external partnerships
• Drive innovation across automation, testing frameworks, AI tools, and emerging programmatic platforms
• Shape department structure, operational improvements, and team development alongside agency executives
• Own relationships with vendors and platform representatives

Requirements

• 7–10+ years in programmatic media and digital activation
• Proven success leading a trading team and an in-house programmatic function
• Independent or mid-sized agency background
• Deep DSP expertise, including The Trade Desk and DV360, with the ability to execute, optimize, troubleshoot, and QA campaigns directly in-platform
• Track record building scalable trading operations, workflows, and processes in a scaling organization
• Strong command of audience strategy, identity resolution, attribution, privacy, and measurement frameworks
• Working knowledge of verification and brand safety tools such as DoubleVerify or IAS
• Demonstrated contribution to business development, sales, or revenue growth initiatives
• Experience commercializing programmatic or data capabilities as external offerings
• Comfortable managing up, managing down, and serving as a thought partner to the executive team
• Collaborative, adaptable leadership style with high EQ

Nice to Have

• Exposure to social platform data partnerships

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.