Manager, Programmatic Ad Sales

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day.

The Associated Press is seeking a highly detail-oriented and strategic Programmatic Sales Manager to join AP on the ground floor as we revitalize and expand our D2C effort, building on AP’s reputation, reach, and high-quality content to bring unique advertising opportunities direct to the market.

The Programmatic Sales Manager will help drive the AP’s programmatic ad sales business by developing a deep understanding of the inventory available across the AP’s digital advertising platforms and creating opportunities for brands, agencies, trading desks, and DSPs to connect with their audiences.

The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of the programmatic landscape, as well as extensive experience in packaging and selling display, video, native, audio, and high-impact advertising across desktop, mobile web, in-app, and newsletter platforms. To be considered, you must be able to independently manage both new and existing businesses across all types of programmatic deals, with a strategic and thoughtful approach to achieving client KPIs.

This position is based in our New York headquarters, reporting to the Global Director, Commercial Services.

Responsibilities:

• Achieving and exceeding revenue targets is a key responsibility.
• Actively analyze AP’s programmatic and direct brand engagements as well as AP’s value proposition to identify, contact, and sell programmatic guaranteed, preferred, and open auction deals, as well as other revenue opportunities through prospecting.
• Build and manage relationships with clients, agencies, DSPs, and trading desks to meet or exceed revenue goals.
• Receive, understand, and react to inquiries and RFPs from brands, agencies, DSPs, and trading desks, building advertising solutions that meet their requirements.
• Work with advertisers to understand needs, propose and sell packages that align with their goals, optimize deal performance, encourage renewals, and identify areas for account growth.
• Work with the Direct Ad Sales team to understand the GTM strategy, align with prospecting efforts, and help pitch hybrid (direct and programmatic) packages designed to maximize brand messaging and engagement.
• Work with the Integrated Marketing team to develop targeted programmatic sales collateral based on prospecting and market insights.
• Work with the Revenue Operations Team to develop an understanding of AP’s ad stack, monetization capabilities, and best practices, to refine future offerings.
• Become a subject matter expert in AP’s programmatic ad sales capabilities, including our SSPs, ad inventory, data, and targeting opportunities.
• Analyze Google Ad Manager and SSP platform reporting to identify opportunities and apply learnings to prospecting strategies.
• Work closely with the Revenue Operations team to set up programmatic deals, optimize performance, and track delivery.
• Research and maintain an in-depth knowledge of the programmatic advertising landscape and trends, including available ad technology tools and platforms.
  
  

Requirements:

• 2+ years in a programmatic ad sales role at a tier 1 publisher or SSP/DSP platforms.
• Experience with creating and presenting digital ad packages across programmatic guaranteed, preferred, and private auction deals.
• Strong familiarity with programmatic auctions, bid dynamics, PMP deals, SSPs/DSPs, DMPs, and advertiser packaging needs
• High level of comfort managing programmatic deals in the pre-and post-sale stages, as well as across the entire lifecycle of account needs.
• Experience implementing and managing deals using various ad servers and SSPs (Google Ad Manager, etc.) across web and app.
• High level of comfort working with clients, agencies, DSPs, and trading desks.
• Experience directly supporting and collaborating with multiple internal teams covering Sales, Ad/Revenue Operations, Account Management, Products, and Marketing.
• Strong experience with Excel and analyzing data sets to be able to provide recommendations back to either clients directly or various internal teams (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, formulas, charts, etc.).
• Experience actively reviewing the performance of ad packages and leveraging performance insights to inform and improve future offerings.

Advanced-level professional competency in written and spoken English language is required. Authorization to work in the United States for any employer is mandatory.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $100,000 - $120,000, contingent on experience and other job-related factors. Employees are eligible to participate in a 401(k) plan and an employer-sponsored health insurance plan, as outlined in the official plan documents. Additionally, they are eligible for paid time off and holidays per AP policy.

The application period will expire at 11:59pm on September 30, 2025.

AP seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a veteran, or other characteristic protected by law.