At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of programmatic traders and drive innovative trading strategies.
- Company: High-growth AdTech business with a focus on programmatic media and data-led activation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £100k, bonus, and hybrid working model.
- Other info: Opportunity to innovate and influence across multiple functions.
- Why this job: Shape the future of trading in a dynamic environment with real ownership.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in managing programmatic teams and deep DSP knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: London (hybrid – 3 days in office)
Type: Permanent
The Company
High-growth AdTech business operating across programmatic media, performance and data‑led activation. This is a leadership hire to own the trading function, scale a team, and drive best‑in‑class execution across campaigns, performance and product‑aligned trading strategy.
The Role
This is a senior programmatic leadership position overseeing a team of programmatic traders and owning trading standards across DSPs. You’ll set strategy, improve performance, build scalable processes, and act as the internal authority on programmatic buying. You’ll work closely with Commercial, Client Services and senior stakeholders to ensure delivery is consistent, profitable and future‑proofed as the business scales.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a team of programmatic traders (hiring, coaching, performance management)
- Own trading strategy and best practice across programmatic activation
- Drive performance outcomes: pacing, optimisation, efficiency and margin control
- Set standards for QA, governance, troubleshooting and operational hygiene
- Build repeatable workflows, playbooks and reporting structures
- Partner with senior stakeholders across Sales / CS / Product to align on delivery and capability gaps
- Support major client accounts and high‑value campaign strategies where needed
- Evaluate and improve platform usage (DSP features, supply paths, PMP strategy, measurement)
- Champion innovation in trading: automation, testing frameworks, new formats and performance levers
Requirements (Must‑Haves)
- Proven experience managing teams of programmatic traders
- Strong hands‑on knowledge of programmatic trading and optimisation best practice
- Deep experience across at least one major DSP (e.g., DV360, The Trade Desk, Xandr, Amazon DSP)
- Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, scaling environment with commercial accountability
- Strong stakeholder management, able to influence across functions, not just trading
- Data‑led mindset with a track record of improving delivery efficiency and outcomes
What’s in it for you
- Leadership seat in a growing AdTech business with real scope and ownership
- Build and shape a trading function, not just run the day-to-day
- Strong compensation (up to £100k + bonus)
- Hybrid working: 3 days in the office for real collaboration, 2 days flexible
Head of Programmatic Trading — Hybrid London Leader employer: Ultimate Asset
Join a high-growth AdTech business in London, where you will have the opportunity to lead and develop a dynamic team of programmatic traders while shaping the trading function from the ground up. With a strong focus on innovation and performance, you'll enjoy a collaborative hybrid work culture that promotes flexibility and work-life balance, alongside competitive compensation and significant opportunities for professional growth in a fast-paced environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Programmatic Trading — Hybrid London Leader
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the AdTech space, especially those who are already in leadership roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your achievements in programmatic trading. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your hands-on knowledge.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings; reach out directly to companies you admire. Express your interest in their work and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities. You never know what might come up!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined application process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Programmatic Trading — Hybrid London Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Programmatic Trading. Highlight your experience in managing programmatic teams and any specific DSPs you've worked with. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about programmatic trading and how you can drive performance outcomes. Be sure to mention your leadership style and how you plan to build a strong team.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; show us what you've achieved! Include metrics or examples of how you've improved trading performance or optimised campaigns. We love data-driven results that demonstrate your impact.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ultimate Asset
✨Know Your Programmatic Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of programmatic trading and optimisation best practices. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've implemented in the past, especially with major DSPs like DV360 or The Trade Desk. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have real-world experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing a team of programmatic traders, be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Share examples of how you've successfully hired, coached, and managed teams in the past. Highlight any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive performance outcomes and build scalable processes.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios
You’ll need to work closely with various stakeholders, so think of examples where you've influenced decisions across functions. Prepare to discuss how you’ve aligned teams on delivery and capability gaps, and how you’ve supported high-value campaigns. This will show your ability to navigate complex environments.
✨Bring Data to the Table
This role requires a data-led mindset, so come armed with metrics and results from your previous roles. Be ready to discuss how you've improved delivery efficiency and outcomes through data analysis. Showing that you can leverage data to drive decisions will set you apart as a candidate.
