At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead ad operations, optimise systems, and establish workflows for a growing team.
- Company: Driven Labs, Inc. - a cultural media platform for the automotive community.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible work environment, and the chance to shape a new team.
- Other info: Opportunity to build from scratch and influence future operations.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic industry while working with top-tier brands.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in CTV/OTT ad ops and hands-on experience with Publica.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Driven Labs, Inc. is a cultural media platform designed to serve the passionate automotive community through premium storytelling and deep community engagement. As traditional media declines and social platforms become oversaturated, Driven fills the gap by delivering value at the intersection of culture and commerce. Backed by an exceptional team and top-tier brand and talent partners, Driven champions creators and delivers measurable benefits for brands. The platform emphasizes innovation, quality, and long-term equity in the automotive and culture space.
We're looking for a senior ad ops practitioner to architect our setup for scale before we bring on a full-time hire. You'll establish the systems, partner relationships, and operational playbooks that a future in-house team will run day-to-day. This is a hands-on engagement — not advisory — with clear deliverables and a defined endpoint.
Scope of work:
- Publica optimisation: Audit current ad pod logic, timeout configuration, prebid setup, and server-side bidding. Identify and implement improvements to fill rate, eCPM, and ad experience.
- Demand stack expansion and rationalisation: Assess incremental value of current and prospective SSP partners, manage bid duplication, and design a clean demand path. Lead onboarding of new partners as needed.
- Trafficking and QA processes: Set up direct campaign trafficking workflows (VAST tag handling, third-party verification, pacing, creative QA) suitable for our growing direct business.
- Reporting and yield analysis: Build the reporting layer — revenue, fill, eCPM by inventory segment, partner performance — that the team will run from.
- Discrepancy and troubleshooting playbook: Document standard processes for delivery issues, partner discrepancies, and engineering escalations.
- Handover: Author the FTE job description, help shortlist and interview, and document everything for handover.
You should have:
- 7+ years in CTV/OTT ad ops, ideally at a publisher.
- Direct, hands-on Publica experience.
- Deep working knowledge of SSAI mechanics and the major video SSPs (Magnite Streaming, Index Exchange, PubMatic, OpenX, Equativ, etc.).
- Direct campaign trafficking experience: VAST/VPAID, third-party tags, IAB taxonomies, common verification vendors.
- A track record of standing things up from scratch, not just running mature setups.
- Comfortable in EMEA privacy frameworks (TCF v2.2, IAB EU).
90-day deliverables:
- Stack audit and prioritised optimisation roadmap.
- Demand path optimisation implemented and measured.
- Documented trafficking and QA SOPs.
- Reporting dashboard or process the team can self-serve.
- FTE hiring brief, candidate shortlist support.
Fractional Ad Ops Lead employer: Driven Labs, Inc
Driven Labs, Inc. is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work culture centred around innovation and community engagement within the automotive sector. Employees benefit from hands-on roles that encourage professional growth, with opportunities to shape operational strategies and collaborate with top-tier brands. Located in a vibrant industry landscape, Driven offers a unique chance to make a meaningful impact while working alongside a passionate team dedicated to delivering quality storytelling and measurable results.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fractional Ad Ops Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the ad ops space and let them know you're on the hunt for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a case study that highlights your past successes in ad ops. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table, especially when it comes to optimising campaigns and improving fill rates.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like Driven Labs, and express your interest in working with them. A well-timed email can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to showcase your talents. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Fractional Ad Ops Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your 7+ years in CTV/OTT ad ops. We want to see how your hands-on experience with Publica and other video SSPs can bring value to our team. Don’t just list your roles; tell us about the impact you made!
Be Specific About Your Skills:When you mention your skills, be specific! Talk about your direct campaign trafficking experience and how you've tackled challenges like VAST/VPAID tags or third-party verification. We love details that show us you know your stuff.
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to tailor your application to our job description. Use the same language we do and connect your past experiences to the responsibilities listed. This shows us you’re genuinely interested and understand what we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it makes it easier for us to get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Driven Labs, Inc
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of CTV/OTT ad ops and the specific tools mentioned in the job description, like Publica and major video SSPs. Being able to discuss your hands-on experience with these platforms will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can actually get things done.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, especially around optimising ad setups or improving fill rates. Companies love candidates who can demonstrate their ability to think critically and implement effective solutions.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Metrics
Since this role involves reporting and yield analysis, be prepared to talk about key performance indicators (KPIs) you've worked with. Highlight your experience in building reporting layers and how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles.
✨Document Everything
Given the emphasis on creating operational playbooks and handover documentation, come prepared with a plan for how you would approach this task. Discussing your strategies for documenting processes will show that you understand the importance of knowledge transfer and team continuity.
