Position Summary

The Associate, Programmatic Activation develops efficient programmatic strategies and implement them in media buying tools (DSPs) to deliver business results for clients.

This role liaises with communications design, data & analytics, ad operations, and audience strategy pods to translate clients' media campaign requirements into programmatic engagements with appropriate inventory partners, data vendors, and technology providers.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Programmatic Activation, this position’s responsibilities include strategic planning, the configuration, monitoring, and ongoing optimization of programmatic campaigns in DSPs.

Key Responsibilities

The Associate, Programmatic Activation is accountable for the entire programmatic campaign management process.

This includes:

• recommending campaign strategy
• campaign setup in the DSP(s)
• following best practices & brand safety standards
• audience targeting strategy and implementation
• site tagging recommendation and implementation
• delivery management (pacing/budget/spend)
• performance management and optimization
• reporting, analysis, and insights communication on campaign activity
• troubleshooting delivery, measurement, and performance
• billing reconciliation

About You

You are a detail-oriented individual who possess ethical integrity and logical thinking process, with a focus on campaign outcomes. You have a good understanding of the programmatic ecosystem, industry trends, and actively thinking about testing opportunities & solutions for the clients.

You are a team-player yet adept at working independently, executing without mistakes, in a deadline-driven environment without needing constant assistance and supervision.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Minimum 1 year experience in programmatic media management with an advertising agency, publisher/exchange, or optimization firm
• Good knowledge of planning strategy, digital buying best practices, optimization, measurement, insight analysis
• Familiar with self-serve buying platforms such as DV360, Xandr, The Trade Desk, Amazon Ads
• Solid communication skills (verbal & written)
• Quantitative and analytical skills
• Office suite fluency, including MS Excel pivot tables and SharePoint. Familiarity with Tableau & Asana is a plus.

Initiative unlocks business growth for the world’s most ambitious brands. We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand’s entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different. When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow. Initiative builds Fame and Flow for brands like Amazon, RBC, LEGO, Nintendo and Canada Goose. Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it’s creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, and foster sustainability. Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 9,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world. Initiative Canada has received many of the industry’s most coveted awards, including two gold Strategy Media Agency of the Year awards, eight Cannes Lions, and a position on WARC's Top 50 Most Effective Media Agencies in the World. In 2023 Initiative was named the North American Network of the Year by the Festival of Media, and Global Network of the Year by both Ad Age and Ad Week. To learn more, visit initiative.com.

What's in it for you?
• Generous paid time off with a minimum of 37 paid days off including vacation and monthly wellness days. We also have four-day long weekends, half-day summer Fridays, and meeting-free Friday afternoons year-round.
• A flexible hybrid work model that works for you.
• A focus on personal development with formal training opportunities, including mental health training and inclusion education for everyone.
• A chance to be part of and grow within a global network of agencies.
• The opportunity to contribute to our company culture by joining one of our many community-based employee groups, such as Black Employee Network, Girls on Fire, Hispanic or Latinx Alliance, Neuro Network, Pan-Asian Network, and Rainbow Lounge.

Initiative is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, colour, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, provincial, or municipal law.