Programmatic Operations Lead

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.