Programmatic Account Director

BRAND: Zenith UK
Job Function: Media Performance
Location: London, United Kingdom
Experience Level: Specialist
Workplace Type: Hybrid

Company description

Performics UK is the performance marketing arm of Publicis Media, committed to exceeding business goals by blending Data, Tech, Ops, and Talent to accelerate performance impact daily.

With over two decades of experience, we harness technology and innovation to generate and convert consumer demand across search, social, display, and commerce channels.

Embracing a deep understanding of consumer intent and behaviour, we thrive on data-driven insights, guiding our planning and optimisation processes through rapid trials, real-time enhancements, and intelligent analytics.

As the world's first Performance Orchestration agency, we have a proven track record of driving performance impact across diverse sectors and markets, leveraging our industry expertise to innovate and transform swiftly. Performics is dedicated to delivering award-winning results and empowering all Publicis Media UK clients.

Winner of PMW's Performance Marketing Agency of the Year 2023 & 2024!

Overview

We're hiring a Programmatic Account Director to play a pivotal role in shaping how ambitious brands grow through programmatic media. This is a leadership role where strategy, craft and collaboration come together-partnering closely with senior clients and internal teams to deliver meaningful commercial impact.

You'll lead talented specialists, influence innovation across the agency, and help evolve how programmatic works within a broader media ecosystem. If you enjoy combining strategic thinking with people leadership, this is a role where your voice and expertise will genuinely matter.

Responsibilities

• Owning the strategic direction of multiple programmatic accounts, ensuring client ambitions and business goals are clearly connected.
• Acting as a trusted partner to senior clients, offering thoughtful, consultative advice that drives performance and long-term growth.
• Leading and developing a team of programmatic specialists, creating an environment where people can do their best work and grow their careers.
• Working closely with the Head of and investment teams to manage revenue, forecasting and sustainable commercial outcomes.
• Championing best-practice programmatic planning, activation and optimisation across display, video, BVOD and digital channels.
• Driving innovation by elevating in-house solutions and collaborating with technology and product teams to unlock new opportunities.
• Ensuring operational excellence, with high standards across quality, finance, governance and delivery.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in programmatic media within an agency or vendor environment, with a deep understanding of the digital advertising ecosystem.
• Proven ability to lead, coach and support teams with a people-centred, inclusive approach.
• Confidence in building senior client relationships and influencing stakeholders through clear, strategic thinking.
• Commercial awareness, with experience managing forecasts, revenue and profitable growth.
• A collaborative mindset, comfortable working across disciplines to deliver joined-up media solutions.
• Curiosity and openness to innovation, with the ability to translate new products or approaches into client value.
• Clear communication and organisational skills, balancing detail with big-picture thinking.

Additional information

Zenith UK offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees. Full details are shared when you join, but highlights include core benefits such as Pension, Life Assurance, and Private Medical cover, alongside enhanced policies like Reflection Days and Shared Parental Leave. You'll also have access to a range of additional initiatives, including:

Please check out the Publicis Career Page which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG's (Employee Action Groups).

Publicis Groupe works primarily from the office or our clients' office four days per week.

At Zenith UK , we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age, citizenship, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.

We are committed to providing a fair, accessible, and inclusive recruitment process. If you have any access needs - for example, related to disability, neurodivergence, or a health condition - please let us know. We'll work with you to ensure the process works for you. Sharing this information will never impact your application.

Guided by our values, we listen with empathy, uplift each other, take responsibility, and embrace change - building a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and genuinely included.