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Programmatic Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Director, Programmatic Media leads the strategy, growth, and performance of Best Buy's programmatic media business. This role is responsible for defining the vision for programmatic advertising ...

The Director, Programmatic Media leads the strategy, growth, and performance of Best Buy's programmatic media business. This role is responsible for defining the vision for programmatic advertising ...

The Director, Programmatic Media leads the strategy, growth, and performance of Best Buy's programmatic media business. This role is responsible for defining the vision for programmatic advertising ...

Maintain a strong understanding of the programmatic ecosystem, including SSPs, DSPs, PMP marketplaces, and direct buying strategies. * Stay current on industry trends through events, training, and ...

Maintain a strong understanding of the programmatic ecosystem, including SSPs, DSPs, PMP marketplaces, and direct buying strategies. * Stay current on industry trends through events, training, and ...

As the Programmatic Media Buyer, you will be working inside The Trade Desk and other top demand ... Direct experience with The Trade Desk * Experience working on lead generation and sales campaigns

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Showing results 1-20

Programmatic Director information

See California salary details

$30.4K

$117.7K

$175.8K

How much do programmatic director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for programmatic director in California is $117,666.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,338.00 and $146,884.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a programmatic director?

A Programmatic Director is a senior professional responsible for overseeing and optimizing programmatic advertising strategies within an organization. They manage teams and campaigns that use automated technology to buy and place digital advertisements in real time. Programmatic Directors analyze data, work with multiple platforms, and coordinate with clients or internal stakeholders to ensure marketing objectives are met efficiently. Their role is crucial in driving performance, maximizing ROI, and staying up to date with the latest trends in digital advertising.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a programmatic director?

To thrive as a Programmatic Director, you need deep expertise in digital marketing, data analysis, and campaign strategy, often supported by a degree in marketing or a related field. Familiarity with programmatic ad platforms (such as The Trade Desk, DV360), data management platforms (DMPs), and industry certifications like Google Ads or IAB Digital Media Buying & Planning are typically required. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills help drive teams and foster client relationships. These skills are crucial for efficiently managing large-scale digital campaigns, optimizing performance, and delivering measurable results for clients.

What are some of the main challenges a programmatic director faces when managing multi-channel advertising campaigns?

Programmatic Directors often encounter challenges such as ensuring seamless integration across multiple platforms, maintaining transparency in campaign performance, and staying updated with rapidly evolving ad technologies. Balancing client expectations with budget constraints and navigating complex data privacy regulations are also common hurdles. Effective communication and close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including data analysts, creative, and sales, are essential to overcoming these challenges and delivering successful campaign outcomes.

What is the difference between Programmatic Director vs Media Buyer?

AspectProgrammatic DirectorMedia Buyer
ResponsibilitiesOversees programmatic advertising strategies, manages teams, and optimizes digital ad campaigns across platforms.Executes media plans by purchasing ad space, negotiating rates, and managing campaign placements.
Required SkillsData analysis, digital marketing, campaign management, leadershipNegotiation, media planning, digital advertising platforms
Work EnvironmentStrategic, managerial, often in an agency or corporate marketing teamOperational, hands-on, often in media agencies or advertising firms

The Programmatic Director focuses on strategic oversight and management of digital advertising campaigns using automation and data-driven techniques, while the Media Buyer handles the execution and purchasing of ad space. Both roles require digital marketing knowledge, but the Programmatic Director has a broader strategic scope and leadership responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Programmatic jobs in California?

The most popular types of Programmatic jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Programmatic Director jobs in California?

For Programmatic Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Programmatic Director jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Programmatic Director jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Programmatic Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Programmatic Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Programmatic Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,666 per year, or $56.6 per hour.

Director, Programmatic Media

Santa Ana, CA • On-site, Remote


Best Buy
Retail • 10K+ employees

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 1,789 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 30 rated technology retailers

People enjoy working here

Recommended by students

Respectful managers


Full-time, Part-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

The Director, Programmatic Media leads the strategy, growth, and performance of Best Buy's programmatic media business. This role is responsible for defining the vision for programmatic advertising across onsite, offsite, and emerging channels, driving revenue growth, advancing audience and measurement capabilities, and ensuring Best Buy remains at the forefront of retail media and advertising technology innovation. Through strong leadership, industry expertise, and cross-functional partnership, this leader will shape programmatic strategy, optimize media performance, and deliver scalable solutions that create value for advertisers and Best Buy.
This role is remote eligible, which means you will work virtually from home or another non-Best Buy location. However, you must be located within a commutable distance to the Chicago metro area. The specific work arrangements may vary by role and team. The recruiter or hiring manager will provide more details during the hiring process.
What you'll do
  • Define and lead the long-term strategy, roadmap, and performance objectives for Best Buy's programmatic media buying program. 
  • Drive revenue growth and advertiser adoption by developing innovative programmatic media buying solutions and activation strategies.
  • Lead and develop a team of programmatic media professionals, establishing capabilities, operating models, and best practices that support scalable growth and operational excellence.
  • Partner with sales, product, technology, ad operations, analytics, and marketing teams to optimize inventory monetization, campaign performance, and advertiser outcomes.
  • Serve as the executive subject matter expert on programmatic media, representing Best Buy with agencies, advertisers, technology partners, and industry stakeholders while identifying emerging opportunities and market trends.
Basic qualifications
  • 10+ years of experience in programmatic advertising, digital media, retail media, advertising technology, or related fields.
  • 5+ years of direct and/or indirect leadership experience.
  • 5+ years developing and leading programmatic media, audience, or advertising strategies.
  • 5+ years with DSPs, ad exchanges, ad servers, and programmatic advertising technologies.
  • 5+ years leading cross-functional initiatives across sales, product, technology, analytics, and operations teams.
Preferred qualifications
  • Experience leading programmatic capabilities within a retail media network or ecommerce organization or large agency (for example, a holding company). 
  • Experience with platforms such as DV360, The Trade Desk, Yahoo DSP, Amazon DSP, or similar technologies.
  • Knowledge of audience strategy, identity solutions, bidding methodologies, inventory optimization, and measurement frameworks.
  • Experience with attribution, enabling incrementality testing, and campaign performance analytics.
  • Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and drive strategic business outcomes through programmatic advertising.
What's in it for you
We're committed to helping our people thrive at work and at home. Best Buy offers a range of benefits to support your overall well-being and provide support as you need it, especially at key moments in your life.
Our benefits include:
  • Competitive pay
  • Great employee discount
  • Financial savings and retirement resources
  • Support for your physical and mental well-being
Best Buy provides different types of leaves of absence (LOA) and potential pay sources to employees based on eligibility. The length of your LOA depends on your situation, where you live, your full-time or part-time employment status, and federal and state regulations. Intermittent or reduced-schedule leave is also available for certain medical or family care leaves. Paid time off (vacation or PTO) is offered to full-time and part-time employees based on work location, employment status, salary or hourly status (exempt/non-exempt), and years of continued or bridged service.
Certain roles, where market norms demand it, are eligible for various forms of incentive pay to drive performance and offer recognition for achieving financial and strategic results. For more information about our incentive pay plans, including eligibility, please refer to our Incentive Programs Summary.
For more information about benefits, LOA and paid time off, please refer to our Benefits Guide.
About us
As part of the Best Buy team, you'll help us fulfill our purpose to enrich lives through technology. We bring that to life every day by humanizing and personalizing tech solutions for every stage of life - in our stores, online and in customers' homes.
Our culture is built on deeply supporting and valuing our amazing employees who make it all possible. We're committed to being a great place to work, where you can unlock unique career possibilities. Above all, we aim to provide a place where you can bring your full, authentic self to work now and into the future. Tomorrow works here.
Best Buy is an equal opportunity employer.
Application deadline: Minimum of 5 days from the posting date. You can find that date above the job title at the top of the page.

BEST BUY logo

About BEST BUY

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As part of the Best Buy team, you'll help us fulfill our purpose to enrich lives through technology. We bring that to life every day by humanizing and personalizing tech solutions for every stage of life -- in our stores, online and in customers' homes. Our culture is built on deeply supporting and valuing our amazing employees who make it all possible. We're committed to being a great place to work, where you can unlock unique career possibilities. Above all, we aim to provide a place where you can bring your full, authentic self to work now and into the future. Tomorrow works here.™

Industry

Retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Richfield, MN, US

Year founded

1966


What Best Buy employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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