This website will offer limited functionality in this browser. We only support the recent versions of major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

Programmatic Specialist

Location: Cardiff (hybrid working)

Reports to: Digital Performance Director

Apply now

The role

We’re looking for a hands‑on Programmatic Specialist to plan, activate and optimise campaigns across the open web and walled gardens. Working end‑to‑end – from brief through to reporting – you’ll play a key role in delivering effective, well‑governed programmatic campaigns for our clients.

You’ll be part of a small, collaborative digital team, so you’ll be comfortable moving between strategy, trafficking, QA and client communication. This role suits someone who is data‑driven, curious, and enjoys testing, learning and scaling what works.

This opportunity is open to both internal and external candidates.

What you’ll be responsible for
Planning and strategy

  • Translating briefs and KPIs into clear programmatic media plans, including audiences, formats, inventory, budgets, pacing and channel mix.

  • Building test‑and‑learn frameworks across creative, formats, audiences and bidding strategies.

  • Making informed channel recommendations across Programmatic Display, Video, Audio and DOOH.

  • Working closely with in‑house and external creative teams, analytics and planning to align messaging, formats and measurement.

 

Activation and trafficking

  • Setting up, QA’ing and launching campaigns across one or more DSPs.

  • Implementing pixels, conversion events and custom audiences accurately.

  • Managing PMP deals, contextual and keyword lists, and brand‑suitable inventory.

  • Applying advanced geo‑targeting techniques (e.g. radius, polygons, POI, postcode), frequency caps and day‑parting.

 

Optimisation and performance

  • Optimising campaigns against outcome‑based KPIs such as CPA, CPL, completed views and incremental reach.

  • Using bid strategies, creative rotation, blocklists and supply‑path optimisation to improve performance.

  • Running regular experiments, scaling successful tactics and pausing under‑performers quickly.

  • Monitoring pacing and delivery daily, proactively addressing under‑delivery or budget risks.

 

Measurement and reporting

  • Creating dashboards and regular performance reports with clear insights and recommended actions
    (e.g. Funnel IO, GA4, CM360).

  • Implementing clean, privacy‑aware measurement including UTMs, viewability and brand safety metrics.

  • Supporting post‑campaign analysis and effectiveness reporting.

  • Presenting results clearly to clients, translating data into meaningful recommendations.

 

Governance and quality

  • Enforcing brand safety standards, fraud prevention measures and inclusion/exclusion lists.

  • Ensuring GDPR‑compliant data use and alignment with consent frameworks.

  • Maintaining clear documentation, change logs and QA standards.

  • Contributing to internal checklists, process improvements and team upskilling sessions.

What we’re looking for
Essential experience and knowledge

  • 2–4 years’ hands‑on experience activating programmatic campaigns in a DSP.

  • Strong experience optimising against performance, reach and quality metrics (e.g. CPA, CPL, VCR, CTR, incremental reach).

  • Practical knowledge of GA4, CM360 (or equivalent), pixels, conversion mapping and audience building.

  • Experience delivering campaigns across Display, Online Video and Programmatic Audio (DOOH desirable).

  • Working knowledge of geo‑targeting, device and supply reporting.

  • Experience building automated or semi‑automated reports (Funnel IO desirable).

  • Strong QA discipline and familiarity with brand safety and verification tools.

  • Clear written and verbal communication skills, with confidence explaining performance to clients.

 

Skills and behaviours

  • Highly organised, with strong attention to detail.

  • Confident problem‑solver who responds calmly to delivery challenges.

  • Comfortable working collaboratively across teams and disciplines.

  • Curious, analytical and motivated to improve outcomes through testing and learning.

Why join us?

You’ll play a key role in shaping how programmatic campaigns are planned, delivered and optimised across the agency, with real influence over performance, quality and outcomes. You’ll work alongside experienced specialists and supportive leadership, with the opportunity to build deep expertise and make a visible impact for clients.

We welcome applications from both internal and external candidates and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can do their best work.