Programmatic Strategist, Cross Platform

Are you ready to revolutionize the advertising industry? At Cognitiv, we are not just another AdTech company—we are industry trailblazers redefining media buying with our Deep Learning Advertising Platform. Since 2015, we have harnessed the power of cutting-edge deep learning technology and data science to transform how brands connect with their customers. Our mission? To bring intelligence to advertising and deliver unparalleled precision, relevance, and impact at scale. With our innovative platform, advertisers enjoy unprecedented flexibility—whether it is activating Dynamic Deals through their preferred DSP, leveraging our managed service DSP, or utilizing our industry-first ContextGPT product. As a part of Cognitiv, you will be at the forefront of AI-driven advertising solutions, driving change and achieving remarkable growth in a rapidly evolving industry. Now, we’re growing! The role We are looking for a Programmatic Strategist to own the activation, optimization, and troubleshooting of deal-based campaigns running across our clients’ DSPs. This person is the subject-matter expert on how different DSPs optimize—and translates that knowledge into the best possible setup and in-flight guidance for client trading teams. You will manage a portfolio of high-value deals across both our AudienceGPT and ContextGPT products - our deep-learning, LLM-based activation platforms - and will help shape the next generation of automated deal health monitoring by building AI agent–driven workflows alongside Product and Engineering. This role combines hands-on programmatic trading with client-facing DSP expertise. You will spend your time moving between diagnosing a deal in DV360, coaching a client trader on how to configure The Trade Desk for optimal delivery, and partnering with our Data Science and Engineering teams to replace manual deal-health checks with agent-based automation. This position will be located in NYC with a hybrid work schedule of 3 days in office (Mon/Tue/Wed) and 2 days remote (Thursday/Friday). What You'll Do Own cross-DSP deal activation. Build, QA, and launch deals in AudienceGPT and ContextGPT, push them into external DSPs (DV360, The Trade Desk, Yahoo, and others), and ensure clean population and delivery end-to-end across a book of 15+ concurrent deals. Be the DSP optimization expert for client trading teams. Advise clients on the optimal setup for each DSP - bidding strategy, line-item configuration, and pacing logic - because every DSP optimizes differently, and the right configuration depends on the platform. Troubleshoot SSP/DSP issues end-to-end. Diagnose deal-ID discrepancies, seat mapping, creative approvals, and inventory availability issues; drive resolution with SSP and DSP support teams and communicate clearly back to the client. Support client relationships. Support client success team in fostering and maintaining client relationships. Clients should trust you as a specialist in Deal Activation and Implementation. Feed the product roadmap. Translate field learnings into concrete product requirements for AudienceGPT, ContextGPT, and our agent-based automation layer. Who You Are Programmatic Trading & Deal Activation Expertise. You have 2-3 years of hands-on experience activating and running deal IDs (PMPs, PG, curated marketplaces) in programmatic environments and understand the full lifecycle from packaging through in-flight optimization. You know how different DSPs actually optimize. You have hands-on experience across multiple DSPs - DV360, The Trade Desk, Yahoo DSP, Amazon DSP, and/or others—and can clearly articulate how each one’s bidding, pacing, and optimization algorithms behave differently, and what that means for the right deal setup. You speak the SSP and deal language. You are fluent in deal packaging, seat mapping, inventory targeting, floor pricing, and discrepancy troubleshooting, and you have resolved deal-ID issues with SSP and DSP support teams. You are a trusted advisor to client trading teams. You can walk a client trader through why a deal is under-delivering, recommend the right fix in their DSP, and communicate trade-offs clearly—technical when needed, plain-spoken when useful. You are curious about AI and automation. You are excited about deep-learning and LLM-based activation and want to help design agent-driven workflows that replace manual campaign-health checks. You have managed a complex book. You have independently run 10+ active deals across multiple clients and DSPs and are comfortable owning end-to-end delivery, QA, and client communication. You sweat the details. Clean documentation, thorough QA, and on-time activation matter to you; you do not let deal hygiene slip. You are a clear communicator. Strong written and verbal skills; you can explain programmatic concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders. Bonus Points If You Have Exposure to deep-learning or LLM-based activation products. Familiarity with contextual or audience AI products in the market, or a working understanding of how LLM- and deep-learning-based activation differs from traditional rules-based targeting. Experience configuring AI-agent workflows. You have built or configured LLM-based automations, agent frameworks, or workflow orchestration tools for campaign or operational monitoring. Cross-channel programmatic experience. You have activated deals across Display, CTV, OLV, Social, and emerging programmatic channels in addition to display. Salary $95,000-115,000 USD Base Salary + Equity What We Offer Compensation is based on experience, skills, and other factors. Base salary is just one part of your total rewards at Cognitiv—you’ll also receive equity and a comprehensive benefits package. Highlights include: Medical, dental & vision coverage (some plans 100% employer-paid) 12 weeks paid parental leave + 4 weeks WFH Unlimited PTO + Work-From-Anywhere August Career development with clear advancement paths Equity for all employees Hybrid work model & daily team lunch Health & wellness stipend + cell phone reimbursement 401(k) with employer match Parking (CA & WA offices) & pre-tax commuter benefits Employee Assistance Program Comprehensive onboarding (Cognitiv University) …and more! What You’ll Find at Cognitiv Festiv – We make work fun with cross-team games, events, and creative team bonding. Responsiv – You’ll be close to clients and leadership, influencing real outcomes. Inclusiv – Diversity and individuality are celebrated across all levels. Inventiv – We reward curiosity and embrace bold ideas. Transformativ – We support your growth with training, mentorship, and flexibility. Collaborativ – We operate across coasts, connected by purpose and teamwork. Cognitiv is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. Note on AI Use: Cognitiv may use AI technology to assist with certain administrative aspects of the hiring process, such as note-taking, interview documentation, and reporting. However, every resume and application is reviewed directly by our recruiting team. AI tools are used solely for operational support and do not influence candidate evaluation or hiring decisions.