Associate Director, Programmatic

About Code3

Code3 is an integrated marketing agency, powering business growth for digital disruptors and Fortune 500 leaders alike. Our power is at the intersection of Connections, Creative and Commerce – that’s what is in our DNA. By harvesting insights and utilizing audience data, we work with our clients to develop scroll-stopping content and creative that performs and elevates the brands we work with across all digital media platforms.

Our people are energized by challenges and sprint to find unorthodox solutions. We plan, activate and measure as one team, and we’re not afraid to push boundaries and test our way to success. Coders are Relentless, Gritty, Nimble humans who are always striving to be better. With teams across the U.S., you’ll find more than a job at Code3. You’ll find a place to grow, make an impact, and do your best work alongside a team that’s invested in your success.

The Opportunity

As an Associate Director, Programmatic & Direct Media , you’ll be responsible for managing and elevating programmatic and direct media strategy, activation and thought leadership across a portfolio of clients spanning several categories. You have a deep passion for the evolving media landscape and understand how programmatic, CTV and publisher partnerships fit into the broader media ecosystem.

You’ll work closely with a cross-disciplinary team across both challenger and enterprise accounts. You’ll be charged with developing smart media strategies, managing performance and partner relationships, and shifting thinking beyond individual platforms and campaign tactics to connect media investment with broader business objectives and outcomes.

This is a hands-on, client-facing role. You should be equally comfortable building a programmatic strategy, evaluating a new media partner, presenting recommendations to a client, or getting into a DSP to troubleshoot and optimize a campaign.

What you’ll do:

Define and own programmatic and direct media strategy across your portfolio, spanning CTV, OLV, display, native, audio, DOOH, high-impact and emerging formats

Lead strategy and activation across DSPs including StackAdapt, DV360, The Trade Desk and others, maintaining the hands-on expertise to oversee setup, pacing, optimization, QA and troubleshooting

Develop buying and audience strategies across open exchange, PMP, Preferred Deals, Programmatic Guaranteed and direct IO opportunities

Own media planning and performance best practices across forecasting, budgeting, reach and frequency, learning agendas, optimization and analysis

Cultivate strategic relationships with publishers, platforms and media partners, leading RFPs, evaluating opportunities and negotiating direct and programmatic partnerships

Identify and test new partners, formats, technologies, automation and AI applications that can improve client strategies and performance

Partner closely with Client Partnerships, Creative, Growth and Analytics teams to connect media strategy and measurement to broader client objectives

Be a storyteller and trusted client advisor, turning complex strategies, marketplace dynamics and performance data into clear recommendations and business implications

Mentor junior team members while supporting new business pitches, thought leadership and the continued evolution of Code3’s programmatic and direct media capabilities

Who will love this role:

Passion for the ever-changing media landscape and the evolving role of programmatic, CTV and direct media

A data-driven decision-maker passionate about exceeding client expectations

Someone who enjoys being both strategic and hands-on and doesn’t want to lose touch with the platforms as they grow in seniority

An entrepreneurial spirit who craves building, elevating and adapting process

An appetite for leveraging AI, automation and other technologies to improve workflows, activation and strategy

A people person who enjoys building close relationships with your team, partners and clients