Programmatic Media Team Lead

Role Overview

• 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.
• 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.
• 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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• 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.