Associate Director, Programmatic

Associate Director, Programmatic Bengaluru, Karnataka, India 

We are seeking an accomplished Associate Director – Programmatic to lead strategic planning, performance oversight, and innovation across our programmatic practice. This role demands a deep understanding of programmatic ecosystems, strong leadership abilities, and the capability to translate data into actionable business outcomes.

About us 

GALE is an amalgamation of consultancy and agency services, dedicated to addressing complex brand challenges with an integrated approach. Our headquarters is in New York, with additional offices in Toronto, Singapore, and Bangalore. We are bound by core values that guide our every action and approach to our work: values such as Everyone Matters, No Silos, and Masters of Our Craft. If you are driven by a passion for building something exceptional, an eagerness to innovate, and a dedication to achieving excellence in your craft, GALE is the ideal place for you to thrive.

Who you are 

8–12 years of progressive experience in programmatic strategy, planning, and campaign management.

Deep expertise in programmatic buying models (RTB, PMP, PG), advanced optimization tactics, audience strategies, and KPI frameworks.

Hands-on proficiency across major DSPs such as DV360, The Trade Desk, and Amazon DSP. Experience working with other biddable platforms will be valuable.

 Strong understanding of Display, Native, Video, YouTube, CTV, Audio and DOOH advertising channels with knowledge of all major ad formats.

Solid experience with ad verification/brand safety platforms (IAS, DoubleVerify, MOAT).

Strong technical competency with tags, pixels, tracking, macros, and troubleshooting.

Proven experience setting up and managing PMP and PG deals across platforms.

Familiarity with analytics tools such as GA4, Adobe Analytics, and MMPs (AppsFlyer, Kochava, Adjust), etc.

Curiosity-driven innovator who stays up-to-date with emerging channels (retail media, streaming platforms, identity solutions) with an ability to evaluate and recommend new ad-tech partners, test new betas, and lead innovation roadmaps.

Excellent analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and drive strategic decisions.

A proactive leader with the ability to set objectives, manage multiple workstreams, and ensure accountability.

Strong communicator capable of influencing internal teams, clients, and cross-functional stakeholders.

Experience mentoring and upskilling teams; passionate about building high-performing programmatic talent.

Passionate about craft mastery, and an advocate for collaboration in a no-silos culture.

What you will do 

Own end-to-end programmatic strategy and delivery across key client accountsLead campaign architecture, data onboarding, experimentation frameworks, and advanced optimizations

Drive performance accountability — pacing, KPI alignment, measurement plans, and actionable insights

Partner with Planning, Analytics, Creative, and Tech teams to deliver full-funnel programmatic success

Shape audience strategy, reporting intelligence, and programmatic innovation for clientsInfluence platform selection, deal negotiation, and ad-tech partnerships to drive value

Evangelize programmatic best practices internally and externallyIdentify automation, workflow enhancements, and scalability opportunities for the team

Represent programmatic expertise in client conversations, pitching, and business development

Coach and grow a team of programmatic traders/managers to elevate craft excellence within GALE

As an Associate Director, you are expected to lead with strategic vision, act as a senior consultative partner to clients, and be a key driver in expanding GALE's programmatic footprint.