Director, Yield and Programmatic Strategy

About Us:IGN Entertainment, a division of Ziff Davis, Inc., is one of the world’s largest gaming and entertainment media platforms and the go-to destination for fans to explore and celebrate games, film, TV, comics and much more. Across its 16 digital properties, IGN Entertainment reaches more than 490 million monthly users in 110 countries and engages with 73 million fans on social media. Its portfolio includes favorites such as IGN, Eurogamer, Digital Foundry, Rock Paper Shotgun, and MapGenie, delivering daily content across 46 platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and connected TV. Through its online digital store Humble Bundle, IGN Entertainment has donated over $250 million to more than 38,000 charities worldwide, underscoring its commitment to making a positive impact. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IGN Entertainment's content is localized in 20 languages. Learn more at corp.ign.com. Job Summary: The Director, Yield and Programmatic Strategy is responsible for leading a team of programmatic specialists and driving strategic usage of Programmatic media across our portfolio of global brands for IGN Entertainment. The successful candidate will work cross-functionally to oversee and ensure the overall health of the programmatic business, including management, planning, execution, monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization campaigns. In addition to daily responsibilities, this person should be an authority within the Programmatic space, staying on top of industry trends and finding opportunities to expand capabilities and reach that will fuel internal and client growth.

Job Duties:

• Combine data analysis, technical expertise, and client feedback to build optimization strategies and provide solutions for sophisticated campaigns to meet client objectives
• Establish strategic direction to support programmatic monetization growth of our evolving digital properties.
• Be the resident guide on all forms of targeting and assist in training sales and operations teams in understanding, selling and implementing targeting in all campaigns.
• Work with leadership across all departments as a programmatic subject matter expert and liaison on projects, processes, systems, workflows, and standard methodologies.
• Identify, recommend and implement tools and systems that will improve overall advertising operations and increase both direct & programmatic yield.
• Apply analytics and insights to monitor and optimize revenue and yield across the network.
• Responsible for analytics setup, reporting, delivering insights that drive program strategy and optimize across dimensions
• Use deep knowledge of the programmatic landscape and vendors to build industry relationships and be proficient on innovative technologies.
• Collaborate internally as well as with clients, agencies and vendors to answer technical and strategic campaign questions.
• Triage and handle critical issue requests on all pre-production and live campaigns using various platforms and debugging tools.
• Lead all aspects of the campaign QA process, support the development of process standards and train team members.
• Support month-end close reconciliation functions for 1st Party Direct campaigns.
• Recommend, develop, and implement key performance indicators to improve internal & client business results

Job Qualifications: 

• 5+ years of experience in yield, campaign management, data analytics, programmatic operations, 2+ in a managerial role
• Fluent in SSPs (Google Ad Exchange, Magnite, OpenX, etc) & DSPs (TTD & DV360 preferred)
• Experience/knowledge of digital advertising metrics, analytics setup and reporting. (Google AdManager, STAQ, BURT, DOMO etc.)
• Strong leadership skills: ability to set and communicate goals, measure accomplishments, hold team accountable, and give useful feedback
• Ability to interpret campaign performance with regards to programmatic variables, and implement informed optimizations to achieve CPA, ROAS, or awareness goals
• The ability to translate day to day happenings and plans into impacts on business growth to a C-level audience
• Tactical execution & troubleshooting experience – CTV, Native, Proximity targeting, Prospecting vs Remarketing, PMP executions, Audio/Video, SSP direct deals.
• Excellent project management and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of mobile/video/audio ad serving, programmatic demand sources and overall landscape strongly preferred
• Flexible and able to meet urgent requests

Work Environment: 

• Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, M-F. Due to this role being at the Director level, there may be a need to work extended hours and weekends from time to time. 
  
• Travel Requirements: No travel is required for this role, but there may be opportunities to travel to other Ziff Davis office locations to collaborate with team members around the US and the globe. 
• Physical Requirements: This role involves standard computer and office based activities, including extended periods of sitting, standing, and working at a computer.
• Work Model: This role is expected to work a hybrid schedule, working remotely from home and out of our Los Angeles office.

Our Culture and ValuesAt IGN, we believe diversity stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of new ideas, and enriches our personal and professional lives. We are committed to championing diversity in all that we do, weaving fairness and equity into the fabric of our organization, and achieving a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and antiracist culture where everyone belongs and everyone can thrive.Here’s the good stuff about us…

• You’ll make an impact. We reach 490MM monthly unique users. We’re big time, but we’re not afraid to give you real opportunities to be epic and make a difference immediately.
• We’ve got a big presence, but a small team.
• We have fun. It’s all about games and games are fun. Anyone can offer a casual work environment, flexible hours, and benefits. We can offer that and a place where you can squad up with your coworkers in the arcade/game room.
• We’re passionate about what we do. IGN employees understand our users, because they are our users. We have a personal interest in providing the best possible product.

Ziff Davis Gaming offers competitive salaries in addition to robust health and wellness focused benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefits; Flexible Spending accounts, 401(k) with company match, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Pregnancy and Parental leave, Family Planning Support via Maven,  Flexible Time Off, Volunteer Time Off, Fitness Reimbursement as well as employee-focused engagement and education programs, including Employee Resource Groups and company-sponsored events. If you’re seeking a dynamic work environment where you can see the direct impact of your performance, then IGN is the place for you.Ziff Davis is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.Salary Disclosure: Ziff Davis provides a range for the base pay. Factors that may be used to determine your actual pay may include your specific job related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. The base pay for this position ranges from $140,000 to $180,000, plus incentive compensation (for eligible roles only), 401K with company match, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, short and long-term disability, and a flexible time off policy.

 

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