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Programmatic Trader Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Act as the top domain expert in leading programmatic platforms like The Trade Desk, sharing your knowledge and expertise to elevate our entire team. * Forge Strategic Partnerships: Initiate, build ...

Hands-on programmatic trading and optimization experience is a plus. * BS/BA or equivalent experience. $90,000 - $100,000 a year About us Equativ , a leading independent ad platform, brings scale and ...

Director, Programmatic

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$90K - $180K/yr

Act as the top domain expert in leading programmatic platforms like The Trade Desk, sharing your knowledge and expertise to elevate our entire team. * Forge Strategic Partnerships: Initiate, build ...

Director, Programmatic

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$90K - $180K/yr

Act as the top domain expert in leading programmatic platforms like The Trade Desk, sharing your knowledge and expertise to elevate our entire team. * Forge Strategic Partnerships: Initiate, build ...

Hands-on programmatic trading and optimization experience is a plus. * BS/BA or equivalent experience. $90,000 - $100,000 a year About us Equativ , a leading independent ad platform, brings scale and ...

Analyst, Programmatic

Chicago, IL · On-site

$40K - $75K/yr

Trade Desk experience is preferred. * Excellent communication and collaboration skills. * Healthcare industry experience (preferred but not required). If you are passionate about programmatic ...

Trade Desk experience is preferred. * Excellent communication and collaboration skills. * Healthcare industry experience (preferred but not required). If you are passionate about programmatic ...

Trade Desk experience is preferred. * Excellent communication and collaboration skills. * Healthcare industry experience (preferred but not required). If you are passionate about programmatic ...

Manager, Programmatic

Chicago, IL · On-site

$117K - $120K/yr

Own programmatic campaign planning, execution, and optimization across leading DSP platforms (e.g., The Trade Desk, DV360, Amazon Advertising Platform, Yahoo DSP), ensuring alignment with client KPIs.

As the Supervisor, Programmatic Media Buying, you will be the day to day account lead on assigned ... Trade Desk, DV360, PulsePoint, or similar • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills • ...

As the Supervisor, Programmatic Media Buying, you will be the day to day account lead on assigned ... Trade Desk, DV360, PulsePoint, or similar • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills • ...

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Showing results 1-20

Programmatic Trader information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$40.7K

$99.7K

$277.6K

How much do programmatic trader jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for programmatic trader in Chicago, IL is $99,691.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,200.00 and $108,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Programmatic Traders in optimizing campaigns, and how can they be addressed?

Programmatic Traders often encounter challenges such as fluctuating inventory quality, rapidly changing bidding landscapes, and tight campaign performance targets. Staying on top of these requires a strong analytical approach, frequent campaign monitoring, and proactive communication with account managers and clients. Utilizing advanced data analytics tools and regularly testing different bidding strategies can help address these issues. Additionally, collaborating closely with creative, data, and sales teams ensures alignment on campaign objectives and helps overcome obstacles more effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Programmatic Trader, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Programmatic Trader, you need a solid understanding of digital advertising, data analysis, and campaign optimization, typically supported by a degree in marketing, business, or a related field. Experience with demand-side platforms (DSPs), ad servers, and analytics tools such as Google DV360, The Trade Desk, or Adobe Analytics is highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help professionals excel in managing campaigns and collaborating with clients and internal teams. These skills and tools are crucial for driving efficient, data-driven ad performance and achieving clients' marketing objectives in a competitive digital landscape.

What Does a Programmatic Trader Do?

As a programmatic trader, your job is to help optimize a marketing campaign by conducting an analysis of ad performance across various platforms. In this role, you perform analysis to decide when and where to display online ads. You may also help manage an advertising budget and interact directly with people at various levels of the company. Aside from managing ad purchases, a programmatic trader may help develop realistic expectations about ad performance while looking for ways to improve the overall effectiveness of ad buys. A programmatic trader often helps select target audiences for each campaign.

What is the difference between Programmatic Trader vs Digital Media Buyer?

AspectProgrammatic TraderDigital Media Buyer
CredentialsRelevant marketing, advertising, or data analysis experience; certifications like IAB or Google AdsSimilar credentials; often holds certifications in digital advertising platforms
Work EnvironmentData-driven, real-time bidding platforms, programmatic ad exchangesAd campaign planning, negotiations, direct media placements
Industry UsagePrimarily in digital advertising agencies, media firms, and tech companiesUsed across advertising agencies, brands, and media outlets

Programmatic Traders focus on automated, data-driven ad buying through technology platforms, while Digital Media Buyers often handle manual negotiations and direct placements. Both roles require digital advertising knowledge, but Programmatic Traders specialize in real-time bidding and automation, making their skills more tech-centric.

What are programmatic traders?

Programmatic traders are professionals who use automated technology and algorithms to buy and sell digital advertising space in real time. They analyze data and set up campaigns across various platforms, optimizing bids and targeting to reach specific audiences efficiently. Their role involves monitoring ad performance, adjusting strategies, and ensuring that campaigns meet the desired goals within budget constraints. Programmatic traders often work closely with digital marketing teams and use demand-side platforms (DSPs) to manage large-scale advertising efforts.
What are the most commonly searched types of Programmatic Trader jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Programmatic Trader jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Programmatic Trader jobs in Chicago, IL? For Programmatic Trader jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Programmatic Trader job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,691 per year, or $47.9 per hour.
Programmatic Account Manager - HoldCo

Programmatic Account Manager - HoldCo

Samba

Chicago, IL • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

Samba is a media intelligence company. We know what the world is watching, reading, and thinking about - in real time, at scale, across every screen. Our data exists with the consent of over a billion people, organized into the most complete picture of consumer attention ever built. The biggest brands in the world use that picture to make smarter decisions. We think it's the most interesting data asset on the planet, because it's the most culturally relevant. 

As a Programmatic Account Manager - HoldCo at Samba TV, you'll manage and grow relationships with major agency holding companies and their operating agencies. You'll ensure these partners derive maximum value from Samba's suite of audience targeting and measurement solutions. You'll work closely with Sales to support key HoldCo accounts (WPP, Omnicom/OMG, Publicis, Dentsu, Havas), drive audience activation strategies, and deliver a seamless agency experience across planning, activation, and measurement workflows. Your efforts will directly impact agency satisfaction, retention, and account growth within these holding company relationships.

Location requirement: Must live within 50 miles of a Samba office. Required in office 3 days a week (Tuesday through Thursday), moving to 4 days a week (Monday through Thursday) starting January 4th, 2027, with the possibility of moving to 5 days a week in office after that.

Requirements:
  • Client Growth, Retention & Satisfaction
    • Own day-to-day account management for a portfolio of holding company partners - including WPP, Omnicom/OMG, Publicis, Dentsu, and Havas - and their operating agencies

    • Partner with Sales to develop strategic account plans, drive renewals, and identify upsell and expansion opportunities across HoldCo relationships

    • Ensure agency teams are effectively activating Samba audience and contextual data across major DSPs, SSPs, DMPs, and social platforms

    • Build trusted relationships with programmatic, trading, strategy, and analytics stakeholders within HoldCo organizations

    • Lead business reviews focused on adoption, delivery, performance insights, and expansion opportunities across brands and agency teams

    Campaign & Platform Execution
    • Oversee audience segment setup and delivery across SSPs and programmatic buying platforms for agency-led campaigns within HoldCo environments

    • Support agency partners across HoldCo relationships through the full activation lifecycle: planning, audience building, activation, and QA (without directly managing or optimizing campaigns)

    • Provide platform education and training on how to request, build, and deploy Samba audiences within HoldCo programmatic workflows

    • Troubleshoot audience delivery or integration issues and coordinate with technical teams to resolve activation challenges efficiently

    Strategic Partnership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
    • Serve as a feedback loop between HoldCo relationships and internal teams to improve ease of activation, workflow efficiency, and audience performance

    • Partner with Sales on pre-sale planning, platform demos, and aligning agency and brand goals with Samba's audience and measurement solutions

    • Represent Samba's audience products with subject-matter expertise and a consultative, agency-first approach when working with HoldCo relationships

    • Collaborate with Product, Measurement, Revenue Operations, and Finance to deliver enhanced solutions for the complex, multi-agency account structures typical of HoldCo relationships

Who you are:
  • Curious - Always learning and staying current on programmatic trends, agency operating models, and CTV innovation within holding companies
  • Proactive - You anticipate agency needs and identify opportunities to add value across HoldCo teams and clients
  • Collaborative - You thrive in cross-functional environments and are comfortable navigating large, matrixed organizations like WPP, Omnicom, Publicis, Dentsu, and Havas
What you bring:
  • 3-5 years of experience in account management, client services, or programmatic strategy roles
  • Direct experience working at or closely with agency holding companies such as WPP, Publicis, or Dentsu is strongly preferred
  • Strong understanding of audience activation and programmatic buying across DSPs (e.g., The Trade Desk, DV360, Yahoo DSP)
  • Solid working knowledge of DMPs (e.g., LiveRamp, Lotame, Adform) and SSPs (e.g., OpenX, Magnite, Freewheel)
  • Background in programmatic trading or campaign management at a HoldCo or operating agency is a strong plus, even if not hands-on today
  • Strong communication and problem-solving skills with a proactive, collaborative approach
  • CRM and project management tool proficiency (Salesforce, Jira, Asana, Trello, etc.)
  • Strong Excel skills (SUMIFS, INDEX MATCH, pivot tables, VLOOKUP); SQL is a plus
  • Deep understanding of the digital advertising and programmatic ecosystem, particularly HoldCo and agency workflows
  • BA/BS with a focus on marketing, business, data, or related experience
 
 
#LI-AH1
$80,000 - $90,000 a year
Samba expects to offer a base salary between $80,000 - $90,000 per year for roles to be performed in New York or California; actual base salary offered will depend on various factors, including but not limited to, location, experience, and performance. Base salary is just one component of Samba's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include bonuses, short-term incentives, and long-term incentives. In addition, Samba provides health insurance, wellness offerings, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and paid time off (PTO), and other employee benefits.
Samba is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  We strive to empower connection with one another, reflect the communities we serve, and tackle meaningful projects that make a real impact.
 
Samba may collect personal information directly from you, as a job applicant, Samba may also receive personal information from third parties, for example, in connection with a background, employment or reference check, in accordance with the applicable law. For further details, please see Samba's Applicant Privacy Policy. For residents of the EU , Samba Inc. is the data controller.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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