DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMATIC MEDIA BUYING

Role Description

We are seeking an experienced Director of Programmatic Media Buying to lead and scale a high-performing programmatic media organization. This role is responsible for overseeing strategy, execution, optimization, and innovation across a large portfolio of digital advertising campaigns spanning display, video, streaming TV, audio, native, gaming, and emerging digital channels.

The ideal candidate is a proven programmatic leader who thrives in a high-volume, fast-paced environment and has experience managing complex campaign operations at scale. This individual will lead a team of 15+ programmatic professionals, drive operational excellence, develop scalable processes, and leverage technology to deliver measurable results for clients.

This is a unique opportunity for a strategic operator who combines deep programmatic expertise with strong people leadership, technical knowledge, and the ability to influence the future direction of a growing digital media organization.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Programmatic Leadership & Strategy:
  • Own the overall programmatic media buying strategy across multiple digital channels, including display, online video, CTV/OTT, streaming audio, native, gaming, and digital out-of-home.
  • Lead a high-volume programmatic operation responsible for managing thousands of campaigns and significant monthly media spend.
  • Establish best practices around campaign execution, optimization, measurement, and reporting.
  • Drive innovation by evaluating new technologies, inventory sources, data partnerships, and emerging advertising solutions.
  • Serve as the organization's programmatic subject matter expert and strategic advisor.
• Team Leadership & Development:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 15+ programmatic buyers, strategists, and specialists.
  • Build a culture focused on accountability, operational excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Develop training programs, workflows, and career development paths to scale team capabilities.
  • Create performance standards and processes that enable consistent execution across a large campaign portfolio.
  • Partner with recruiting and leadership teams to attract and retain top programmatic talent.
• Campaign Operations & Optimization:
  • Oversee the complete lifecycle of programmatic campaigns, from strategy and activation through optimization and reporting.
  • Ensure campaigns are launched accurately, delivered efficiently, and optimized toward client performance goals.
  • Develop optimization frameworks across:
    • Audience targeting and data strategies
    • Geographic performance
    • Creative performance
    • Inventory and publisher quality
    • SSP and marketplace relationships
    • Device, browser, and operating system performance
    • Frequency management and attribution strategies
  • Analyze performance trends and translate data into actionable insights for internal teams and clients.
• Technology & Platform Expertise:
  • Lead programmatic execution across enterprise DSP platforms, including:
    • The Trade Desk
    • Other DSP and media buying platforms as needed
  • Maintain deep expertise in:
    • Audience segmentation and activation
    • First-party and third-party data strategies
    • Contextual targeting
    • Conversion tracking and attribution
    • Pixel implementation and measurement solutions
    • Campaign automation and workflow optimization
  • Partner with technology teams to improve integrations, reporting capabilities, and operational efficiency.
• Business Growth & Innovation:
  • Collaborate with sales, product, and executive leadership teams to develop differentiated programmatic solutions.
  • Identify opportunities to increase revenue, improve margins, and expand product offerings.
  • Support the development of new advertising capabilities and go-to-market strategies.
  • Build strong relationships with clients, vendors, and technology partners.
  • Other Duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in digital media, programmatic advertising, or ad technology.
• 5+ years of experience leading programmatic teams or digital media operations.
• Proven experience managing teams of 15+ employees.
• Extensive experience operating in a high-volume programmatic environment with complex campaign workflows.
• Advanced knowledge of enterprise DSP platforms, particularly The Trade Desk.
• Strong understanding of programmatic buying, audience targeting, attribution, measurement, and optimization strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to build scalable processes and improve operational efficiency.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience transitioning or scaling an in-house programmatic operation.
• Experience managing large-scale digital advertising budgets.
• Experience across omnichannel advertising solutions, including CTV/OTT, audio, gaming, native, and DOOH.
• Experience launching new digital advertising products or capabilities.
• Experience working with enterprise clients and multi-market campaigns.
• Strong understanding of ad tech integrations, pixels, tagging solutions, and measurement platforms.

What Success Looks Like

• Growing programmatic revenue and profitability.
• Building a scalable and efficient programmatic organization.
• Improving campaign performance and client outcomes.
• Developing and retaining a high-performing team.
• Expanding programmatic capabilities and introducing new products.
• Creating operational efficiencies through technology and process improvements.

Why Join Us

Join a growing digital media organization where you will have the opportunity to shape the future of programmatic advertising. This role offers the ability to lead a talented team, influence product strategy, work with cutting-edge advertising technology, and make a measurable impact on business growth.

If you feel you’re qualified and want to work with a great group of people, go to , you may type in the job title, station call letters, or click on "apply now", upload your resume, cover letter, and references.

(Current employees who are interested in this position can apply through the Gray-TV UltiPro self-service portal.)

GDM-TV/Gray Media is a drug-free company.

Additional Info

Gray Media provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Gray Media complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Gray Media expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Gray’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.