Programmatic Associate Director in London

We are Zenith, the ROI agency, but we’re about so much more than numbers. Since 2005, we’ve been helping some of the world’s biggest and most exciting brands turn ambitious ideas into meaningful business growth. As part of Publicis Groupe, our global community of 6,000+ specialists across 95 markets brings together media, data, technology, commerce and content to solve complex challenges and create work that makes a difference.

We believe the best work happens when great people come together. We’re curious, collaborative and always looking for new ways to think, challenge convention and push what’s possible. From strategy and planning to performance, data, content and trading, our teams work across disciplines to create smarter, more personal experiences for the brands we partner with.

And we’re serious about our people too. We want Zenith to be a place where everyone feels seen, heard and represented, with opportunities to learn, grow and make your mark. From our regular social events, mentoring, learning opportunities, recognition and community initiatives, we’re building a culture where people can bring their whole selves to work, share ideas and have a lot of fun along the way.

So, if you’re ambitious, curious and excited by the pace of change in our industry, you’ll fit right in. Whether you’re a media expert, creative thinker, data enthusiast, tech lover or simply someone who wants to make an impact, there’s a place for you at Zenith. Come and help us create a more meaningful kind of ROI – for our clients, our people and our culture.

We are hiring a Programmatic Associate Director to lead brilliant programmatic media planning and activation for a leading global home appliances brand. You’ll combine deep channel expertise with client partnership, commercial thinking and supportive people leadership, helping turn complex challenges into clear, effective work. You’ll have the opportunity to shape strategy, champion innovation and continually improve how programmatic campaigns are planned and delivered. This is a role where your expertise can make a real impact for the client and the team around you.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-quality programmatic planning, execution, optimisation, reporting and insights, ensuring robust QA and consistently strong delivery.
• Partner with clients as a trusted programmatic advisor, translating complex challenges, emerging trends and opportunities into clear recommendations.
• Shape programmatic strategy and innovation, working with planning and leadership teams to identify smarter, more effective approaches.
• Build a test-and-learn approach across the team, exploring opportunities such as DSP diversification, automation and privacy-first solutions.
• Own operational and financial accuracy, including revenue tracking, reconciliations, billing processes, purchase orders and supplier management.
• Identify commercial growth opportunities and connect client needs with relevant Publicis Media solutions, including APEX, Epsilon and programmatic inventory solutions.
• Lead and develop a team of programmatic specialists and managers, creating supportive ways of working where people have the opportunity to grow and produce exceptional work.

Qualifications

• Strong programmatic knowledge, with the ability to apply your expertise to sophisticated media planning and campaign delivery.
• Experience managing programmatic activity across channels such as online display, video, YouTube and BVOD.
• The ability to build trusted client relationships and communicate complex programmatic topics clearly to different audiences.
• Sound commercial judgement, with an understanding of revenue management, financial processes and opportunities for sustainable growth.
• A thoughtful approach to leadership, with experience coaching or developing colleagues while creating inclusive opportunities to succeed.
• A curious, improvement-focused mindset, with the confidence to explore new platforms, industry developments, automation and innovative media solutions.
• Strong collaboration and organisational skills, with the ability to maintain quality across planning, delivery, reporting and operational processes.

Zenith International offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees. Full details are shared when you join, but highlights include core benefits such as Pension, Life Assurance, and Private Medical cover, alongside enhanced policies like Reflection Days and Shared Parental Leave.

Publicis Groupe works primarily from the office or our clients’ office four days per week. At Zenith International we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age, citizenship, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.

We are committed to providing a fair, accessible, and inclusive recruitment process. If you have any access needs - for example, related to disability, neurodivergence, or a health condition - please let us know. We’ll work with you to ensure the process works for you. Sharing this information will never impact your application.

Guided by our values, we listen with empathy, uplift each other, take responsibility, and embrace change - building a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and genuinely included.