Product Manager, Ad Tech

Role Description

We’re looking for an Ad Product Manager to lead the strategy, development, and optimization of our advertising products across web, mobile, video, and emerging platforms. This role sits at the intersection of revenue, user experience, and technology - ensuring that our ad experiences drive business growth while maintaining exceptional user engagement and editorial integrity.

You’ll partner with Ad Operations, Engineering, Data, and Revenue Strategy teams to build high-performing, privacy-aware, and technically elegant ad products that scale across The Arena Group’s network. The ideal candidate has an engineering-minded curiosity, a deep understanding of the programmatic ecosystem, and a sharp instinct for balancing monetization with user trust.

The Arena Group’s expected annualized base salary range for this position is currently $150,000 - $175,000. Actual salaries will vary based on multiple factors including location, education, experience and other factors permitted by law. The listed salary range is but one component of The Arena Group’s total compensation and benefits available to its employees.

Please note: Due to the volume of applications we receive, only applicants selected for consideration will be contacted.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in ad tech, programmatic monetization, or digital product management (publisher-side strongly preferred).
• Deep technical literacy in Google Ad Manager, Prebid.js/Server, Amazon TAM, and SSP integrations (Magnite, Pubmatic, Index Exchange, OpenX).
• Advanced understanding of OpenRTB, bidstream mechanics, deal structures, and auction dynamics.
• Proven ability to diagnose, test, and optimize ad systems using DevTools, Network analysis, and performance metrics.
• Expert understanding of how first-party data influences CPMs, fill, and yield - and how to operationalize those insights.
• Strong grasp of viewability optimization tactics (lazy loading, refresh logic, ad-unit hierarchy) with sensitivity to user experience.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (BigQuery, Looker, SQL, GA4).
• Excellent communication skills; able to translate between revenue, engineering, and editorial priorities.
• Experience leading ad-tech architecture decisions in a multi-brand publisher network.
• Familiarity with curation desks, contextual engines, or AI-driven yield optimization systems.
• Working knowledge of privacy frameworks (TCF 2.2, GPP) and consent management (OneTrust, Sourcepoint).
• Exposure to CTV/video monetization (VAST, OMID, FreeWheel).
• Engineering background or demonstrated ability to collaborate with developers on technical problem-solving.

Requirements

• Own the end-to-end ad product roadmap - across display, video, native, and commerce-adjacent formats.
• Collaborate with Revenue Strategy and the Encore Curation Desk to expand curated, contextual, and high-performance marketplace offerings.
• Translate business objectives (e.g., revenue, RPS, viewability, latency) into actionable ad-tech product plans.
• Evaluate emerging opportunities across programmatic curation, contextual intelligence, and first-party data activation.
• Build durable monetization systems resilient to changing privacy and browser policies (including Chrome’s evolving cookie stance).
• Serve as the technical lead for ad-product solutions: integrating new bidders, testing Prebid modules, configuring GAM line items, or validating tag logic.
• Debug and QA ad delivery using Chrome DevTools, Publisher Console, and network-level inspection - identifying latency, creative render errors, CLS impact, and auction inefficiencies.
• Maintain a deep working knowledge of the OpenRTB spec, including bidstream structure, deal ID logic, floor pricing, and supply chain transparency.
• Partner with Ads Ops to drive ongoing yield optimization: price floors, refresh rules, ad density, viewability tactics, and auction configuration.
• Ensure ad code and loading strategies improve Page Load and Core Web Vitals and respect user experience - balancing monetization with performance and engagement.
• Partner with Data Engineering to strengthen first-party data pipelines and model how data depth influences CPMs, fill rates, and win rates.
• Support the evolution of curated audience products, enabling buyer precision and publisher control.
• Collaborate with BI to build transparent dashboards for key monetization metrics: yield, fill, RPS, latency, and viewability.
• Partner with the Media Product, Ad Ops, Engineering, and Editorial teams to ensure ad products meet performance, UX, and brand-safety standards.
• Work closely with Sales and Revenue Strategy to launch innovative sponsorship and native integrations that extend beyond standard IAB placements.
• Communicate complex ad-tech systems and performance trade-offs clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and, Vision Coverage
• Retirement Savings Plan (401K), with company match
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Commuter Benefits
• Reimbursement for business cell phone use per company policy
• Unlimited Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• 12 Paid Holidays