Associate Director, Data Science (Media Agency)

Company description

Spark Foundry was built during the most transformative time in the history of advertising and marketing. We deliver everything a traditional media agency has to offer and have grown into one of the world's most successful agencies by helping brands evolve their marketing by leveraging identity, commerce, artificial intelligence, and more to connect with people. Transformation is part of our DNA. Spark Foundry's start-up spirit delivers high-touch approaches and a never-ending desire to challenge the status quo. Combined with Publicis Media's powerhouse soul leveraging connected data assets, advanced AI applications, and investment clout, we "Bring HEAT to Brands." No other agency possesses the expertise that we do to address today's most pressing challenges to drive business transformation through media.

Overview

The Data Scientist Associate Director is responsible for advanced audience development and technology enablement. This role requires deep expertise in data science methodologies, client management, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver high-value insights and business impact. Working closely with client stakeholders and internal team leads are vital parts of the role, with accountability for the highest quality execution of a diverse array of client and project deliverables an imperative. The role functions as an expert technical point of escalation, an analytical problem solver, and a technical translator to internal account teams and clients. It provides ongoing strategic account direction/vision for technology, process, and data science.

Responsibilities

• Guide the clients in clean room strategy and enable the use of this futureproofed technology

• Create and oversee propensity model development using machine learning for net new and refresh of existing audiences

• QA and troubleshooting of 1P onboarded data to ensure acceptable match rates with client systems

• Advance internal modeling practices to optimize core hour usage and drive activation efficiency

• Perform audience analyses on existing customer segments and collaborate across internal teams to present actionable insights

• Guide the development of statistically sound test designs, minimizing bias and delivering actionable outcomes

• Stay informed about evolving media landscapes, providing research and insights to media teams and clients

• Communicate insights effectively, ensuring understanding and application of data science outcomes by clients

• Build impactful presentations that clearly outline the importance of analyses, the insights revealed, and recommended actions

• Drive organic revenue growth through cross-selling and up-selling data science products across client divisions and categories

• Index report Python script runs and maintenance for data organization that leads to more efficient analysis

• Develop and implement a test-and-learn roadmap to continuously refine strategies and optimize data-driven decisions, ensuring clear measurement frameworks and actionable insights

• Create and manage deliverables against detailed roadmap that align expectations with outcomes

• Provide a high-value consultation layer on top of data science deliverables

Qualifications

• 6-8 years of experience in advertising, marketing, or data science fields, with agency experience strongly preferred

• Quantitative educational background

• Nice to have (preferred advanced degree in Statistics and / or Data Science)

• Experience with Habu, LiveRamp, EPC, Snowflake cleanroom for audience design

• Advanced proficiency in SQL, Python, and statistical modeling techniques (e.g., logistic regression, clustering) to manipulate data and draw insights from large data sets

• Familiarity with cloud services (e.g., AWS, Redshift) and large-scale data management

• Solid understanding of digital media buying, KPI development, and programmatic audience buying

• Proven ability to manage and present to clients, with experience resolving complex data-related challenges

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills - a demonstrated ability to mine data for relevant and actionable insights

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skill with ability to communicate/translate complex concepts to non-technical audience

• Proven ability to manage cross-functional teams and fast-paced projects while meeting tight deadlines

• Proven hands-on knowledge and experience of advanced statistical concepts and machine learning techniques (logistic regression, k-means clustering, etc.)

• Understanding of experimental design and the concept of statistical significance in terms of test results

• Experience in a cross-functional team environment with agency experience a big plus

• Strong understanding of contemporary marketing analytics, advertising technology and research techniques, as well as an innovative vision on how the practice should evolve to keep pace with the ever-changing marketing environment

• Strong client management/consultative experience with both presenting and resolving issues

• Specific attention to detail to ensure that data anomalies/mistakes are caught prior to delivery of the analysis to the client teams

• Outgoing and able to integrate with fast-paced planning and activation teams

• Able to cultivate excellent relationships with clients and technology partners

• Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Additional information

Our Publicis Groupe motto "Viva La Différence" means we're better together, and we believe that our differences make us stronger. It means we honor and celebrate all identities, across all facets of intersectionality, and it underpins all that we do as an organization. We are focused on fostering belonging and creating equitable & inclusive experiences for all talent.

Publicis Groupe provides robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent and enable every person to grow and thrive. Our benefits package includes medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K, as well as parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off. If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact [email protected] .

Compensation Range: $112,290- $179,712 annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 03/17/2026.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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