Freelance Associate Director, Programmatic Retail

WHY DEPT®? We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA. We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter. At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build. WHY DEPT®? We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA. We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter. At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build. THE ROLE: The Freelance Associate Director, Programmatic is responsible for leading activation excellence and team performance for a portfolio of enterprise DEPT® clients. Working in close partnership with the Group Director, this role ensures that account and campaign strategies are translated into high-quality execution, operational rigor, and measurable client outcomes.   This role serves as the senior day-to-day leader for the assigned programmatic team, overseeing Managers and Associates across a distributed team structure while fostering a culture of accountability. Collaboration, and continuous improvement. The Associate Director is expected to be a strong people leader, hands-on programmatic expert, and a confident client presence, capable of guiding execution, troubleshooting complex challenges, and maintaining best-in-class activation standards.  WHAT YOU’LL DO: * Lead and mentor a team of Managers and Associates across U.S.-based, nearshore, and offshore teams, fostering professional growth, accountability, and a high-performing team culture. * Oversee activation excellence across clients & campaigns, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and adherence to platform and account best practices. * Serve as the primary escalation point for campaign execution, platform troubleshooting, measurement challenges, and operational issues, partnering with internal teams to drive timely resolution. * Lead campaign architecture, optimization frameworks, and testing execution while driving performance narratives that ensure high-quality execution and continuous improvement. * Partner closely with the Group Director to translate strategic recommendations into actionable activation plans that drive client performance and business objectives. * Contribute programmatic expertise and performance insights to support ongoing strategic development, innovation, and testing initiatives. * Support client engagements by providing programmatic subject matter expertise, performance insights, and activation updates, while partnering with senior team members on strategic discussions. * Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Integrated Media Strategy & Planning, Ad Operations, Data Science & Analytics, and Project Management to deliver seamless campaign execution and measurement. * Drive operational consistency, documentation, workflow improvements, and quality assurance processes across the programmatic team. * Promote DEPT®'s values while creating an inclusive, collaborative environment that supports learning, innovation, and growth. WHAT YOU BRING: * 5–7 years of programmatic experience, within an agency on fast-paced, agile, enterprise account(s). * Advanced proficiency across leading programmatic platforms including The Trade Desk, DV360, Amazon DSP, Google Ads, and CM360. * Confident mastery of campaign activation, optimization, measurement, troubleshooting, and quality assurance across complex programmatic campaigns. * A “Better Together” spirit, demonstrated through a passion for collaboration, mentorship, and developing future leaders. Proven experience leading and developing teams, with the ability to coach, influence, and create opportunities for others to grow. * Experience operating as a senior contributor within enterprise accounts, embodying a true “self-starter” mindset. Demonstrated ability to build trust, stay organized, maintain exceptional attention to detail, fluidly manage changing deliverables and deadlines, and communicate effectively across stakeholders. * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate performance data into actionable recommendations and clear business insights. * A "get sh*t done" mentality when it comes to troubleshooting technical issues or navigating industry shifts. * Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution, comfortably moving between high-level recommendations, story-led presentations, and detailed campaign reviews. * A collaborative, curious, and solutions-oriented approach aligned with DEPT®'s values and culture. WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU:  DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle, or disabilities. So tell us about any accommodations you need. It’s totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step.  DEPT® participates in E-Verify, meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.  We are a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work.  Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT® is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place.  DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Coach, eBay, and OpenAI. Learn more about DEPT® DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.  We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us. Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here. #LI-remote  The anticipated salary range for this position is listed below. Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, expertise, physical location, and organizational impact. This is based on a 40-hour workweek and leveling. Keep in mind, we’re flexible. US Remote Range $100—$110 USD

Established in 2004, OLIVER is the world’s first and only specialist in designing, building, and running bespoke in-house agencies and marketing ecosystems for brands. We partner with over 300 clients in 40+ countries and counting. Our unique model drives creativity and efficiency, allowing us to deliver tailored solutions that resonate deeply with audiences.  As a part of The Brandtech Group, we're at the forefront of leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to revolutionise how we create and deliver work. Our AI solutions enhance efficiency, spark creativity, and drive insightful decision-making, empowering our teams to produce innovative and impactful results.  Role:  Copywriter Location: Toronto   About the role:  The Copywriter produces high-quality copy across multiple channels and formats for a full-service creative production studio serving a large, multi-brand portfolio of students, professionals, and enterprise audiences across the healthcare education sector. Working under the direction of the Senior Copywriter and Associate Creative Director, you execute briefs with precision and care — adapting tone, register, and messaging for different brands, audiences, and channels.    What you will be doing:  * Write copy across a range of digital formats — email subject lines and body copy, social ad copy, display headlines, web content, and video scripts — for all five healthcare education institutions * Adapt brand voices accurately across different channels, formats, and audience segments, maintaining the distinct tone and register of each institution * Work within Pencil and other AI-assisted content tools to enhance production speed and creative iteration, with strong human editorial judgment at every step * Manage multiple concurrent briefs within OMG, delivering to agreed SLAs and raising scheduling concerns proactively * Collaborate with Art Directors to ensure copy and design work together across all assets * Contribute to QA and proofreading processes, ensuring all copy is accurate, brand-compliant, and free of error before delivery * Develop brand knowledge through onboarding and brand immersion sessions; build understanding of university programs, audiences, and compliance requirements * Receive and apply feedback from the Senior Copywriter and Associate Creative Director in an open, growth-oriented way    What you need to be great in this role:  * Writing samples or a portfolio that demonstrate clear, purposeful copy across at least two digital channels * Strong fundamentals: grammar, structure, clarity, and the ability to adapt tone for different voices and audiences * Experience in a content production, copywriting, or marketing environment — agency, in-house, or freelance * Interest in or familiarity with higher education, healthcare, or mission-driven content is a meaningful differentiator * Comfortable working in high-volume, deadline-driven environments with multiple active briefs * Open and adaptable to AI-assisted content workflows; curiosity about how GenAI can improve the quality and efficiency of creative work  REQ ID: 17854 #LI-SP1 #LI-MIDSENIOR At the time of this posting, the base salary for this position may range according to what's stated below. Individual compensation varies based on job related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. The range listed is just one component of OLIVER’s total compensation package. Salary Range $80,750—$90,250 CAD Our values shape everything we do:  Be Ambitious to succeed    Be Imaginative to push the boundaries of what’s possible    Be Inspirational to do groundbreaking work    Be always learning and listening to understand    Be Results-focused  to exceed expectations    Be actively pro-inclusive and anti-racist across our community, clients and creations     OLIVER, a part of the Brandtech Group, is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. All applicants shall be considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, neurodivergence, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by local laws.     OLIVER has set ambitious environmental goals around sustainability, with science-based emissions reduction targets. Collectively, we work towards our mission, embedding sustainability into every department and through every stage of the project lifecycle.