Ad Tech and Standards Manager

Background:

The IAB is the trade body for the digital advertising industry with members like Google, Facebook and Twitter. Our mission is to build a sustainable future for digital advertising. We do this by bringing the industry together through our 1,200 members, including media owners, agencies and brands. 

Our absolute belief is that digital is the smartest way for brands to reach and wow their customers. We are here to help simplify and explain the sometimes complex world of digital advertising, as a trusted source of research, guidance and education and to celebrate the very best in class creative. 

We do this through a range of activities, events, training, research, defining developments in the industry, setting standards, helping the industry to remain self-regulated and more. 

We're also proud to have been listed in Campaign Magazine's top 50 best places to work.
 

Ways of working:

The IAB works in a very open and collaborative way. A team of c. 30, we have a company meeting to kick off the week, project teams composed of people from different departments, as well as a strong sense of team within each department. We encourage our people to be entrepreneurial and feel empowered to drive change and new projects. We are not about working at your desk all day every day, our office and separate events space allows us to change the scenery and we encourage hot desking and support flexible working.

Culture:

Culture is very important to us, we work with the whole industry, an innovative, dynamic and fast moving sector so we want our people to add to the fabric of what we do and what we represent. We are a social and upbeat team with different expertise and interests and a great ability to pitch in and work together to deliver our big events and initiatives. Education is important so in addition to training we hold regular lunch and learn sessions, presentations for the team that help us all keep up to speed with developments across the industry. We celebrate success whether it’s the completion of a big project or something small but important that someone has done that helps us all. 

The role:

The IAB in the UK is one of the biggest media trade bodies in the world, representing digital advertising which has become the largest channel for marketers in the UK. 

Despite its position the IAB is at an important point in its history. With digital’s growth come increased challenges. To combat this, the IAB is focusing on three main areas:

• Standing up for digital with a positive approach

• Focusing on the most important voices – brands, agencies and key members

• Simplifying it’s output and thinking like a marketing led organisation

The Ad Tech Manager sits within the Chief Digital Officer’s team and will work closely with the Public Policy &  Regulatory Affairs Team (reporting into the Head of Policy and Ad Tech) and be the IAB’s ‘go to’ expert in terms of all things Ad Tech and data related, including both opportunities for the industry and challenges faced such as ad blocking, ad fraud, brand safety and viewability issues. 

Responsibilities will include:

• Be the IAB’s ad tech expert - both internally and externally – on opportunities in ad tech (e.g. header bidding) and challenges (e.g. viewability, ad fraud and brand safety) 

• Ensure the IAB is on the front foot around ad tech issues and that we’re leading, rather than responding to, new developments

• Run a dedicated member ad tech group that adds value and has tangible outputs

• Represent the IAB on relevant external groups like JICWEBS, Coalition for Better Advertising (CBA) and IAB Europe with a view to ensure joined-up approaches wherever possible

• Work with the CDO to manage IAB standards programmes, including the new IAB Gold Standard, ensuring that registrations and certifications are up to date and the initiative evolves to match industry needs

• Present on ad tech issues internally and externally, be able to communicate complex issues in a way that’s accessible and understandable to a non-technical audience 

• Provide regular updates to IAB Steering Groups, and Advisory Groups and the IAB Board (when necessary) 

Key experience and skills

• Detailed knowledge of ad tech and applications on both the buy-side and sell-side

• Track record of delivering projects in teams, using self-initiative to achieve the desired outcome wherever possible

• Ability to communicate complex technical principles to non-technical people in an engaging way 

• Ability to manage and prioritise workload and balance needs from different work streams 

• A capable communicator, both in writing and verbally and an experienced and effective presenter

• Ability to react quickly to challenges and respond to industry queries and questions 

• A strategic thinker, able to think about wider implications of ad tech issues

Timing and application details:

The successful candidate should be in place as soon as possible.  The closing date for applicants is Friday 30 March 2018. There is some flexibility for the right candidate.  Applications with CV should be sent by email for the attention of Kate Dickinson, Senior Operations Manager at kate@iabuk.com