Programmatic Operations (Lead or Senior Specialist)

SmartNews is a leading global information and news discovery company dedicated to delivering quality information to the people who need it. Thanks to our unique machine-learning technology and relationships with more than 3,000 global publisher partners, we provide news that matters to millions of users.

Founded in 2012 in Tokyo, SmartNews also has offices in Osaka (Kansai Office), Palo Alto, New York and Singapore.

If you share our vision and are passionate about our mission, we encourage you to apply!

The Global Programmatic Inventory and Yield Management (PIYM) team at SmartNews is responsible for expanding programmatic revenue by developing and enabling demand, execute strategies across the open exchange, third-party demand partnerships and SDK integrations by optimizing existing deals, identifying and establishing new opportunities and fostering strong relationships with all SmartNews partners. This team is also responsible for day-to-day management of Google Ad Manager operations and yield management by optimizing the pricing rules of monetizing partners (DSP, SSP, Header Bidding, Open Exchange etc).

In this role you will be a subject matter expert for programmatic ad operations as it pertains to the Google Ad Manager. You will work closely with the Ads Product lead to make sure the ad server is aligned correctly for our current and new products we launch. You will leverage your programmatic knowledge to troubleshoot any issues with ad delivery or revenue impacting events. Your role will also interact with our external programmatic partners, and you will maintain and grow these relationships.  

• Programmatic ad operations lead in Japan.
• Manage and optimize programmatic yield and campaigns across various ad exchanges/ad networks, to improve yield and maximize revenue.
• Manage partnerships with programmatic partners, including SSPs, DSPs, and data providers.
• Analyze programmatic performance data and identify area of improvement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Product, Business, Ad Ops, and Trust Safety & Operations Excellence (TSOE) team to ensure seamless programmatic operations.
• Accountable for reports and presentations on programmatic performance, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the programmatic advertising space in Japan.

Minimum requirements

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in programmatic advertising
  To demonstrate a solid understanding of the programmatic landscape and how to navigate its complexities.
• Strong analytical and data-driven mindset
  Essential for analyzing performance, identifying trends, and making informed decisions.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills
  For building relationships with partners (external) and stakeholders (internal).
• Experience working with programmatic platforms and ad technologies
  Fluency with key platforms such as Google Ad Manager, Xandr, Rubicon, etc.
• Proficiency in Japanese, business English
  Fluency in Japanese for understanding JP market and communicating effectively with partners;
  Business-level English to communicate strategy and ideas with internal stakeholders.

Nice to have experiences/skills

• Experience working in a startup
  Demonstrates candidate’s ability to be adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity, especially in the evolving field like programmatic advertising.
• Experience with specific programmatic tools/technologies
  Expertise in additional tools such as DMPs, DSPs, and data analytics platforms can further enhance the candidate’s capabilities.

Role Highlights

• This position is responsible for expanding programmatic advertising revenue in the Japanese market at SmartNews, one of Japan's largest news apps.
• A series of areas including building strategies with various partner companies in programmatic buying, promoting integration in collaboration with Product Manager (PM), yield and revenue management to increase sales. 

Related Links

• Click here or visit our careers site to check employee interviews

Working condition

• Office Location: Tokyo

Click here or visit our careers site for more info.

Benefits available at the SmartNews Tokyo Office

• All healthcare and social insurance required by the Japanese labor law, plus annual health check
• Visa sponsorship and overseas relocation support available for eligible candidates

Click here or visit our careers site for more info about our benefits.