Senior Programmatic Buyer

About KHM
Karsh Hagan Madden (KHM) is an independent marketing agency formed through the merger of Karsh Hagan and Madden Media with 5 decades of creative and strategic legacy with 1 unified shop! We blend bold storytelling with precision media, PR, geospatial targeting, and observation-led strategy to help brands close the gap between how they are seen and how they are felt. Madden built our reputation in destination marketing and tourism. Karsh has spent years building brands in healthcare, banking, higher education, and retail alongside it. Together, we believe the strongest brands build communities, and our goal is to differentiate them in a world where consumers want something that means something to them.

About You
You're a programmatic media expert who loves digging into data, uncovering insights, and optimizing campaigns to drive measurable results. You enjoy balancing strategy with execution, whether you're building campaigns from the ground up, fine-tuning performance, or presenting recommendations backed by data.

You're naturally curious about advertising technology and stay current with emerging platforms, trends, and best practices. You're collaborative, proactive, and thrive in an agency environment where multiple clients, priorities, and opportunities keep every day interesting.

Just as importantly, you're a team player who enjoys mentoring others, building strong vendor relationships, and helping improve processes that make the entire team more successful.

About the Job
As our Senior Programmatic Buyer, you'll lead programmatic media strategy, activation, optimization, and reporting across a diverse portfolio of clients. You'll oversee campaigns spanning display, video, audio, and audience-first media while partnering closely with internal teams and media vendors to deliver exceptional client results.

Reporting to the Programmatic Supervisor, you'll play a key role in shaping campaign strategy, managing day-to-day execution, and helping grow and evolve our programmatic practice. This role offers the opportunity to influence department processes, mentor junior team members, and stay at the forefront of the ever-changing programmatic landscape.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead programmatic strategy, activation, optimization, and performance analysis for assigned client accounts.
• Build, traffic, manage, and optimize campaigns across self-service DSPs, including The Trade Desk and Viant.
• Monitor campaign performance daily across display, video, audio, remarketing, audience targeting, and performance media.
• Identify optimization opportunities using performance data and implement strategic recommendations.
• Manage campaign budgets, pacing, quality assurance, and troubleshooting to ensure successful execution.
• Analyze campaign performance and communicate insights through clear, compelling data storytelling.
• Develop strategic recommendations for audience targeting, buying methodologies, tracking, attribution, and media partner selection.
• Support media planning by requesting proposals (RFPs), evaluating partners, and contributing to client presentations and media plans.
• Collaborate with media vendors to review campaign performance and identify optimization opportunities.
• Contribute to monthly reporting and client presentations.
• Serve as the team's subject matter expert on programmatic media, emerging platforms, and industry best practices.
• Mentor and support junior team members while helping develop scalable processes for the growing department.

What You Need to Succeed

• 3+ years of hands-on programmatic media buying or trading experience, preferably within an agency environment.
• Strong understanding of programmatic channels, audience targeting strategies, and full-funnel media planning.
• Experience managing campaigns in leading DSPs such as The Trade Desk, Viant, DV360, Amazon DSP, or similar platforms (The Trade Desk experience strongly preferred).
• Strong knowledge of campaign optimization, budget pacing, attribution, and cross-device tracking.
• Ability to interpret performance metrics-including ROAS, CTR, CPA, and conversion data-and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Experience with ad serving technology such as Campaign Manager (DCM) or similar platforms.
• Advanced Excel skills, including working with raw datasets, pivot tables, and performance visualizations.
• Strong analytical mindset with a genuine curiosity about machine learning, algorithms, and performance optimization.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex data clearly.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Positive, collaborative attitude with a passion for mentoring teammates and continuously improving processes.

Don't Meet Every Requirement?
That's okay! At Karsh Hagan Madden, we believe diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences make us stronger. If this role excites you but your skillset doesn't line up perfectly with the qualifications above, we still want to hear from you. Who knows-you might bring something to the table we didn't even know we needed.

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Medical, dental, vision, and additional benefits to support you and your family.
• 401(k) with Traditional and Roth options, plus a company match.
• Flexible PTO and paid holidays.
• The tools and technology you need to do your best work.

Come for the Work-Stay for the People

• At Karsh Hagan Madden, we're passionate about doing great work-and having fun while we do it. Here's what you can expect:
• A supportive team that's invested in your success.
• Opportunities to grow through mentorship, professional development, and meaningful new challenges.
• A collaborative culture where curiosity, creativity, and fresh ideas are always welcome.
• The chance to make an impact, contribute your unique perspective, and help shape great work.
• A workplace that values who you are, the ideas you share, and your potential to grow.

About the Interview Process
We like to keep it simple and transparent. Here's what the process may look like:

Round 1: A friendly chat with our Recruiter to get to know you and share more about the role.
Round 2: An interview with some of the awesome teammates you'll collaborate with.
Round 3: A conversation with the Team Lead(s) to dive deeper into the role and team fit.

Note: Depending on the position, there might be a small assignment along the way to showcase your skills and creativity. Don't worry-we'll let you know in advance!

Heads up: At this time, we do not offer Visa sponsorship or relocation services.

KHM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #LI-REMOTE