Programmatic & Media Team Lead

We’re looking for a Programmatic & Media Team Lead who is equally at home developing a media strategy for a complex multi-market client and mentoring the team who deliver it. You’ll own the professional direction of the media and programmatic team, while staying close enough to the work to see where things can be sharper. If you think in systems, care about the quality of the work, and want to shape how a media team operates in an AI-first world — this role is built for you. Tasks Team leadership Plan and manage team capacity: anticipate workload, redistribute when needed, flag resource gaps early to Head of Media and People & Culture. Run regular 1-on-1s, team status meetings, and performance reviews. Give feedback that is specific, timely, and actionable. Define individual and team-level goals, track progress, and keep people connected to outcomes — not just outputs. Support each team member’s professional development through individual development plans and active mentoring. Be the information bridge: represent your team’s interests upward, and bring company priorities back down clearly. Handle escalations independently. You are the first stop, not a relay station. Contribute to hiring decisions alongside the Head of Media and People & Culture Team. Propose salary and position changes for your team members when warranted. Professional leadership Lead the media strategy on key accounts. You’re involved at the planning level, not just the review level. Oversee and validate the team’s work. Set the quality standard by example. Own quality assurance for programmatic and digital media buying: build the processes, maintain them, improve them. Stay ahead of the field: cookieless targeting, attention measurement, retail media, CTV/DOOH — you know what’s coming and you build it into how the team works. Lead innovation initiatives within the media discipline (e.g. AI cohort sessions), and connect them to the wider agency. Actively contribute to tender and pitch processes. Spot and develop cross-sell opportunities across accounts. Report to the Head of Media on team capacity, project distribution, and resource forecasts, flagging issues early and proposing solutions. Project management & client work Manage client relationships at a senior level across your team’s portfolio. Stay on top of things: clients never feel left hanging, even when something takes longer to sort out. Keep project admin running cleanly: contracts, purchase orders, delivery confirmations, invoicing — in collaboration with finance and PM teams. Requirements Experience Minimum 5 years in media planning and buying , with a clear focus on digital and integrated media. Leadership experience of at least 1-3 years. Basic experience with programmatic buying. Proven ability to plan and lead integrated media strategies independently , including direct media buying. Experience managing or closely mentoring junior and mid-level team members. Fluent English , spoken and written, at a professional working level. What you know The digital media ecosystem in depth : programmatic, display, video, DOOH, CTV — how they connect and when to use each. Current digital media trends : cookieless targeting, attention metrics, retail media, AI-assisted buying. Media research and competitive analysis tools : e.g. DKT, GemiusAudience or equivalent. Measurement and reporting : Google Analytics / GA4, Looker Studio — enough to build and read the reports that matter. AI tools : you use LLMs in your day-to-day work. You know their limits and you know where they add value. How you work Strategic thinker who can also execute : you see the bigger picture and you make sure the details are right. Clear communicator and confident presenter , with clients and internally. Empathetic, people-first leadership style : you invest in your team’s growth and you’re honest about what’s not working. Precise and systematic : you build processes because you know they protect quality at scale. Consultant mindset : you think alongside clients, not just for them. Driven to keep learning , and able to bring others along with you. Bonus Points Not required — but if any of the following apply to you, we’d love to know: You have a working knowledge of traditional media buying (TV, radio, OOH) — enough to hold a strategic conversation with clients who run integrated campaigns. Y ou’ve worked on travel, e-commerce or finance accounts where performance and brand objectives had to coexist. You have experience building or improving QA processes within a media or programmatic team. What We Offer Hybrid Work & Flexibility: We work in a hybrid setup with 2 mandatory office days – you’re free to work from home whenever it suits you. When we do gather, our cozy downtown Budapest office offers a relaxed, welcoming vibe – with unlimited coffee, fresh fruit and veggies to keep you fueled. Dog-Friendly Office: Bring your four-legged friend along—we love dogs in the office, and they’re always welcome as part of the team! Work from Abroad: Need a change of scenery? You can work remotely from abroad for a limited time each year—or escape to the Hungarian countryside or Lake Balaton for a peaceful workweek close to nature. Cutting-Edge Tools & Setup: You get to choose the gear that works best for you—Mac or Windows, it's your call. We also provide extra monitors to support a smooth, ergonomic workflow if you need them. Meaningful Projects, Global Impact: Work with diverse teams on international projects that shape travel, tech, and creative communication across the globe. Smooth Onboarding & Dedicated Support: Start strong with a structured onboarding plan and a personal buddy to guide you through your first weeks. Continuous Learning & Growth: Coaching, training, conferences, and mentoring—plus clear career paths and internal opportunities to gain new skills and take the next step in your journey. Extra Time Off: Our “Level Up” program rewards your loyalty with additional paid vacation days as your journey with us continues. Team Spirit & Shared Experiences: From local and international team buildings to seasonal parties and creative internal events, you’ll find community and connection. Health & Lifestyle Benefits: Enjoy a yearly personal budget for sports, education, or commuting. You’ll also have access to comprehensive annual preventive health screenings. Family-Friendly Environment: We support working parents with initiatives like our in-house kids’ day camp—a fun, week-long program to keep your little ones engaged during school breaks.