Programmatic Operations Lead
Location: Hybrid – 3 days a week onsite in Farnborough
Are you an expert in programmatic advertising and display marketing, with a passion for optimising digital performance and driving ROI? We’re looking for a Programmatic Operations Lead to join one of the UK’s leading SaaS organisations, taking ownership of multi-market programmatic and display operations, and helping shape a high-impact, data-driven arbitrage strategy.
The Role
As the Programmatic Operations Lead, you’ll be responsible for managing and optimising traffic across programmatic and display channels. This is a hands-on, analytical role with an initial manual component (approx. 80%) and a longer-term aim to move towards greater automation (30–40% manual). You’ll work cross-functionally with teams across product, engineering, sales, and analytics to scale programmatic performance, develop automation, and improve ROI across markets.
Key Responsibilities
Manage and optimise programmatic and display traffic across publisher networks.
Adjust bids, budgets, and segmentation daily to maximise ROI and margins.
Lead a small but growing team, providing strategic direction and hands-on support.
Identify opportunities to scale programmatic and display operations effectively.
Drive integration with automation tools and internal systems to enhance performance.
Collaborate across departments to shape tools, strategies, and partner relationships.
About You
Proven experience in programmatic advertising and display marketing.
Strong understanding of ad tech platforms, DSPs, SSPs, and real-time bidding.
Commercially minded with experience managing large-scale CPC and CPM budgets.
Highly data-driven, with a track record of improving margins and efficiency.
Experience with ad feeds, job board ecosystems, or performance arbitrage is a plus.
Comfortable working in fast-paced environments with high levels of autonomy.
Attributes We Value
Strategic thinker with sharp analytical skills and attention to detail.
Proactive, adaptable, and comfortable testing bold new ideas.
Collaborative leader who thrives in cross-functional teams.
In return, you’ll receive a competitive salary of £55,000 – £65,000 (DOE) plus a generous benefits package including an enhanced pension scheme.
If you have the programmatic and display expertise to thrive in this role, apply now with your CV – we’d love to hear from you!
If you are interested please apply ASAP. The People Network is an employment agency and will respond to all applicants within three - five working days. If you do not hear within these timescales please feel free to get in touch