Explore Head of Performance (Display/Programmatic) jobs and step into a pivotal senior leadership role at the intersection of data, technology, and digital advertising strategy. This high-impact position is designed for visionary professionals who architect and oversee the strategic direction of performance-driven display and programmatic media operations. Unlike hands-on campaign managers, individuals in this role focus on the macro-level: defining the vision, optimizing the commercial impact, and driving scalable growth through sophisticated digital channels. They are the key link between technical media execution and overarching business objectives, ensuring every advertising dollar is accountable and contributes directly to key performance indicators (KPIs) like customer acquisition cost (CAC), return on ad spend (ROAS), and lifetime value (LTV). Professionals in Head of Performance (Display/Programmatic) jobs typically carry a broad and critical set of responsibilities. Their core duty is to develop and implement the comprehensive media strategy for display, programmatic buying, and direct publisher partnerships. This involves managing substantial multi-million dollar budgets, ensuring optimal allocation across demand-side platforms (DSPs), supply-side platforms (SSPs), and direct deals to hit aggressive growth targets. A major component of the role is leadership and talent development; they build, mentor, and inspire a team of media specialists, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning. Furthermore, they are responsible for establishing and maintaining strategic relationships with key partners, including media owners, technology vendors, and data providers, often negotiating high-value direct agreements. The role demands a unique blend of commercial acumen and deep technical knowledge. Typical requirements for these leadership jobs include over five years of progressive experience in digital media, with a proven track record in managing large-scale, multi-channel performance campaigns. A strong analytical mindset is non-negotiable, as the role requires interpreting complex data sets to generate actionable insights and forecast future performance. Candidates must possess an expert understanding of the programmatic ecosystem, including DSPs, ad servers, attribution modeling, and the critical pillars of brand safety, ad fraud prevention, and viewability. Essential soft skills include exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities, capable of translating technical performance into compelling business cases for senior management. Proficiency in analysis tools, Excel, and presentation software is standard. For strategic leaders passionate about leveraging data and automation to drive commercial success, Head of Performance (Display/Programmatic) jobs represent the apex of a career in performance marketing.
