Associate Director, Data & Platforms

Overview

The Data Scientist Associate Director is responsible for advanced audience development and technology enablement. This role requires deep expertise in data science methodologies, client management, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver high-value insights and business impact. Working closely with client stakeholders and internal team leads are vital parts of the role, with accountability for the highest quality execution of a diverse array of client and project deliverables an imperative.

The role functions as an expert technical point of escalation, an analytical problem solver, and a technical translator to internal account teams and clients. It provides ongoing strategic account direction/vision for technology, process, and data science.

• Guide the clients in clean room strategy and enable the use of this future proofed technology
• Create and oversee propensity model development using machine learning for net new and refresh of existing audiences
• QA and troubleshooting of 1P onboarded data to ensure acceptable match rates with client systems
• Advance internal modeling practices to optimize core hour usage and drive activation efficiency
• Perform audience analyses on existing customer segments and collaborate across internal teams to present actionable insights
• Guide the development of statistically sound test designs, minimizing bias and delivering actionable outcomes
• Stay informed about evolving media landscapes, providing research and insights to media teams and clients
• Communicate insights effectively, ensuring understanding and application of data science outcomes by clients
• Build impactful presentations that clearly outline the importance of analyses, the insights revealed, and recommended actions
• Drive organic revenue growth through cross-selling and up-selling data science products across client divisions and categories
• Index report Python script runs and maintenance for data organization that leads to more efficient analysis
• Develop and implement a test-and-learn roadmap to continuously refine strategies and optimize data-driven decisions, ensuring clear measurement frameworks and actionable insights
• Create and manage deliverables against detailed roadmap that align expectations with outcomes
• Provide a high-value consultation layer on top of data science deliverables

• 6–8 years of experience in advertising, marketing, or data science fields, with agency experience strongly preferred
• Quantitative educational background
• Nice to have (preferred advanced degree in Statistics and / or Data Science)
• Experience with Habu, Live Ramp, EPC, Snowflake cleanroom for audience design
• Advanced proficiency in SQL, Python, and statistical modeling techniques (e.g., logistic regression, clustering) to manipulate data and draw insights from large data sets
• Familiarity with cloud services (e.g., AWS, Redshift) and large-scale data management
• Solid understanding of digital media buying, KPI development, and programmatic audience buying
• Proven ability to manage and present to clients, with experience resolving complex data-related challenges
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills – a demonstrated ability to mine data for relevant and actionable insights
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skill with ability to communicate/translate complex concepts to non-technical audience
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional teams and fast-paced projects while meeting tight deadlines
• Proven hands-on knowledge and experience of advanced statistical concepts and machine learning techniques (logistic regression, k-means clustering, etc.)
• Understanding of experimental design and the concept of statistical significance in terms of test results
• Experience in a cross-functional team environment with agency experience a big plus
• Strong understanding of contemporary marketing analytics, advertising technology and research techniques, as well as an innovative vision on how the practice should evolve to keep pace with the ever-changing marketing environment
• Strong client management/consultative experience with both presenting and resolving issues
• Specific attention to detail to ensure that…