The Group Manager, Lead Programmatic Media Strategist is a highly experienced and influential leader responsible for shaping, executing, and optimizing Citi's programmatic media investments, specifically leading an in-house programmatic media team. This pivotal role requires progressive experience, demonstrating expert-level, hands-on proficiency in leading media activation platforms, coupled with strategic oversight of technical implementations, advanced optimization methodologies, and rigorous analysis of performance and quality metrics. The incumbent will lead a hands-on-keyboard team, safeguarding Citi’s brand while driving significant business outcomes, managing and mentoring programmatic professionals, and ensuring robust governance and operational excellence. Reporting into the Head of Media Transformation and AdTech, this role is essential in influencing both Citi’s internal approach and the broader industry ecosystem through best-in-class strategic technology partnerships, positioning Citi at the forefront of a privacy-first, opt-in advertising experience.

Responsibilities:

• Lead integrated media campaigns from inception to execution, including day to day management of multiple agencies and strategic oversight. Develop consumer focused and insight driven briefs and lead integrated agency briefing sessions.
• Drive successful integration of campaigns across all marketing channels/touchpoints, ensure message is effectively executed across multiple paid channels and Citi properties. Manage cross functional teams in social, Public Relations, product, media, digital to ensure seamless integration.
• Direct the application of advanced analytical insights, guiding the team in identifying actionable strategies from deep programmatic metrics including supply path optimization, attention data, sustainability metrics, and comprehensive media quality indicators.
• Cultivate and lead strategic relationships with core programmatic vendors and technology partners. This includes driving joint business plans, fostering innovation, negotiating favorable terms, evaluating new vendor capabilities, and managing existing vendor performance to align with Citi’s long-term vision and media strategy.
• Manage legal and product review process for all media creative while ensuring creative is clear, transparent and meaningful to consumers.
• Serve as a subject matter expert, simplifying complex programmatic technology and vernacular for diverse internal groups. Champion the AdTech vision, delivering compelling narratives and influencing multiple levels of leadership across various organizations.
• Effectively partner with internal business teams to manage expectations, solve for issues that may arise and consistently add value.
• Manage day-to-day relationship with our agencies and provide direction that is clear and based on concrete rationale.
• Proactively solve issues to ensure consistently breakthrough, relevant, consumer-centric creative.
• Take ownership over competitive insights for your products/services – ensure working team is aware of new campaigns and implications for Citi.
• Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency, as well as effectively supervise the activity of others and create accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience within programmatic media including leadership or management experience.
• Passionate about advertising and marketing and curious about new developments in the industry
• Expert proficiency and extensive hands-one experience running campaigns in DV360 and leading programmatic activation platforms (DSPs)
• Comprehensive expertise across the AdTech and MarTech ecosystems (audience management tools, DSP/SSP, bid management, ad serving, web analytics, identity solutions including their strategic application and integration
• Intellectual curiosity, analytical and conceptual thinker
• Proven track record of successfully managing in a large and complex business
• Excellent analytical mindset with a proven ability to create and communicate strategic insights from vast and complex programmatic datasets to drive business outcomes
• Proactive vision for media in a privacy-first world, with demonstrated leadership anticipating and navigating industry changes
• Detail oriented, process-driven and capable of leading complex initiatives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Education:

• Bachelor’s/University degree, Master’s degree preferred

This job description provides a high-level review of the types of work performed. Other job-related duties may be assigned as required.

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Job Family Group:

Marketing

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Job Family:

Advertising, Branding and Media

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Time Type:

Full time

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Primary Location:

Irving Texas United States

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Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:

$144,480.00 - $216,720.00

In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.

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Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

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Other Relevant Skills

For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.

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Anticipated Posting Close Date:

Dec 30, 2025

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Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

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