Programmatic Media Buyer

Programmatic Media Buyer

At Cars Commerce, we're fanatical about simplifying everything about car buying and selling. We do right by our customers and consumers to better connect the industry with simplified and tierless technology to enhance, measure and drive local automotive retail. Whether through our No.1 most recognized marketplace, Cars.com, our industry-leading digital experience, Dealer Inspire, our trade and appraisal technology, AccuTrade, our reputation-based digital wholesale auction marketplace, Dealerclub, or our new Cars Commerce Media Network, Cars Commerce is essential for success in the automotive industry.

But don't take our word for it. We are proud to be named one of Built In's 2026 Best Places to Work in Chicago and across the U.S. Ready to make your mark? Join a team that's driving real change in the automotive industry.

As a Programmatic Media Buyer, you'll plan, build, and execute programmatic video campaigns across CTV and OLV environments as a key contributor in our Consumer Marketing Team. You'll own the full lifecycle from campaign setup and trafficking through pacing, optimization, and reporting. Working primarily in Google DV360 and the broader Google Marketing Platform ecosystem, you'll develop audience strategies that leverage first-party, third-party, and Google audience data, execute PMP and programmatic guaranteed deals, and apply bid strategies, frequency controls, and value based optimization to drive efficient, scalable performance. You'll also partner closely with Marketing Analytics to design incrementally tests, connect campaign decisions to MMM signals, and make sure we're optimizing toward business value rather than just platform-reported conversions. This is a hands-on role with real channel ownership. You'll work cross-functionally to turn performance data into clear recommendations and creative testing plans. You'll also bring a point of view on emerging GMP features, privacy and identity solutions. If you want to operate a strategic channel inside an audience-driven technology company that's simplifying everything about buying and selling cars, and you Care to Challenge, Take Ownership, and Rise Together with the team around you, this role is for you.

What You'll Do:

• Plan, build, and execute programmatic campaigns within Google DV360 across video (CTV/OLV) environments
• Manage full campaign lifecycle including campaign setup, trafficking, QA, pacing, and optimization
• Develop and implement audience strategies leveraging first-party, third-party, and Google audience data
• Activate first-party data through clean room and identity solutions (e.g., Google PAIR, Ads Data Hub) to support audience targeting and measurement in a signal-loss environment
• Execute and optimize private marketplace (PMP) and programmatic guaranteed deals
• Evaluate and apply supply-path optimization (SPO) principles, including curated deal IDs and SSP/curation partner selection, to improve media quality and efficiency
• Monitor campaign pacing, delivery, and performance against budget and KPIs, and forecast spend to ensure accurate allocation across flights and channels
• Analyze performance data to identify trends, insights, and optimization opportunities across creatives, inventory, and audiences
• Implement bid strategies, frequency controls, and targeting refinements to improve efficiency and scale
• Apply value-based optimization, including custom bidding and conversion value signals, to align media delivery with downstream business value rather than flat conversion volume. Not all leads, inventory, or geographies carry equal value in a two-sided marketplace
• Partner with internal teams to ensure accurate conversion tracking and with Marketing Analytics to design and interpret incrementality tests (geo holdouts, conversion lift) and connect campaign decisions to MMM and incrementality signals and not just platform-reported conversions
• Develop weekly and monthly performance reports, highlighting performance insights and strategic recommendations
• Partner with creative teams to design and execute structured creative tests (A/B, multivariate, DCO), and translate results into creative briefs and asset roadmaps
• Evaluate emerging GMP features, beta programs, and industry developments in privacy and identity for applicability to Cars.com; pilot and codify what works

Who We Are Looking For:

• 3–5 years of experience in digital media, with proven success in programmatic buying
• Hands-on experience managing campaigns in Google DV360 (required)
• Familiarity with the Google Marketing Platform ecosystem (Campaign Manager 360, GA4, Floodlight)
• Experience executing PMP deals and working with publishers/vendors
• Working knowledge of supply-path optimization and curation, including curated deal IDs
• Strong understanding of programmatic buying models, auction dynamics, and inventory types (OLV/CTV primary, nice to have display and audio)
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools (Excel, Google Sheets, Looker Studio); SQL a plus
• Experience with audience segmentation, targeting strategies, and data integrations
• Familiarity with measurement frameworks beyond last-touch — incrementality testing, MMM, and value-based measurement
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple campaigns simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

Bonus If You Have:

• Media agency experience
• GMP Certifications (DV360, CM360)
• Exposure to other DSPs (The Trade Desk, Amazon DSP, etc.)
• Experience in two-sided marketplaces or high-consideration purchase categories (automotive, real estate, travel, financial services)
• Exposure to custom bidding scripts or value-based bidding implementations

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position. In addition to base salary, some roles are eligible for our bonus and/or equity programs, depending on level and role. Regular full-time positions are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. If you are hired at Cars Commerce, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills and/or experience. If the salary range is close to what you're seeking, then we encourage you to apply and learn more about the total compensation package for this position.Salary Range$93,100.00-114,050.00

Our Comprehensive Benefits Package includes:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Healthcare Plans
• New Hire Stipend for Home Office Set-Up
• Generous PTO
• Paid Holidays, Floating Holiday, Volunteer Day, Recharge Day

Learn more about our Benefits, Perks, & Culture on our LinkedIn Life Pages!