Company description Starcom is a part of Publicis Media within Publicis Groupe, one of the world’s leading communications groups. Our team spans across our Windsor, Toronto and Montreal offices. We truly love the world of Media and Advertising. We see the planning and buying process as art. However, it is an art that is always best when backed by the science of empirical data. One of our core tenants of media planning and buying is that human experiences drive impact through tangible results. Not only do we seek to deeply understand our clients’ business and what truly motivates consumers, but we seek to design experiences that drive meaningful consumer actions our clients care about – Move People, Move Business. You will be joining a well recognised agency with credentials: Great Places to Work certified two years in a row Only communications company to be ranked in LinkedIn’s Top 25 Great Places to Work 2022 Media Agency of the Year 2023 Media Agency of the Year finalist As part of Publicis Media Canada we are proud to be Great Places to Work™ certified and recognized with Best Workplaces™ for Today’s Youth. We provide continuing opportunities for career growth by fostering a diverse work environment that respects and supports individual contributions and opinions. Overview We are seeking a Director of Social and Programmatic Activation to lead a high performing team across paid social and programmatic media. This hybrid leadership role requires a strategic thinker with deep hands-on expertise in DSPs, SSPs, and paid social platforms, as well as a proven track record in team development, client leadership, and data-driven innovation. You will serve as the strategic lead across a portfolio of clients, ensuring best-in-class campaign execution, platform innovation, and actionable insights that drive business outcomes. You’ll also be a mentor, educator, and operational leader ensuring your team is empowered, aligned, and always evolving. Responsibilities Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Lead the development and execution of integrated paid social and programmatic strategies aligned with client goals. Translate complex data into compelling, client-facing narratives that inform both short-term tactics and long-term strategy. Act as a strategic advisor to clients, identifying opportunities for innovation, growth, and optimization. Team & Operational Management Manage and mentor a team of activation managers, account strategists, and traders across social and programmatic disciplines. Oversee team structure, workflow, and resource allocation to ensure operational excellence and scalability. Foster a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation. Platform & Campaign Excellence Oversee campaign planning, execution, and optimization across major DSPs (e.g., DV360, The Trade Desk) and paid social platforms (e.g., Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn). Conduct regular audits of platforms, partners, and strategies to ensure alignment with best practices and evolving capabilities. Data & Insights Lead the development of advanced, data-driven insights and testing frameworks (e.g., A/B testing, incrementality). Ensure the team is proficient in analytics tools and methodologies to drive performance and efficiency. Support forecasting, pacing, and performance reporting across your book of business. Client & Business Development Build and maintain strong client relationships through strategic leadership and high-quality deliverables. Support business development efforts by contributing to pitches, proposals, and strategic planning. Collaborate with senior leadership to evolve the agency’s digital offering and thought leadership. Qualifications Key Qualifications 8+ years of progressive experience in digital media, with a strong focus on paid social and programmatic. 3+ years of experience managing DSPs and programmatic environments. 2–3 years of experience leading teams of 5+ people. Deep understanding of digital media buying, platform workflows, and optimization strategies. Strong analytical skills with the ability to distill large data sets into actionable insights. Proven ability to lead client conversations, push strategic thinking, and deliver measurable results. Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills. Experience in operations, forecasting, and cross-functional collaboration is a strong asset Additional information Starcom is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We create and nurture a vibrant work environment that celebrates, values and leverages all aspects of diversity and inclusiveness, attracts world-class talent and serves as the industry benchmark for best practices. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and will provide appropriate accommodation for candidates with disabilities or accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process, upon request. Please contact our recruiter for any questions, accommodations or specific requests. We thank all candidates for their interest in Starcom however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted