Director of Industry Relations

Job description

Background

Digital advertising matters. It contributes £129bn in gross value added to the UK, supports 4 million jobs, and for every £1 spent delivers £4.80 back to the economy.

IAB UK is the not-for-profit trade body for the digital advertising industry and brings together leaders from across the biggest companies in the world, including Google, Amazon, News UK, Microsoft and TikTok to build a better future for digital advertising, that benefits us all. We do this through a range of activities from building the standards that drive the online advertising industry, to running events, training, research, helping the industry to remain self-regulated and more. You can find out more about us and the work we do here.

Careers at the IAB

To understand our culture, the ways we support new joiners, our company benefits and our commitments to environmental sustainability and diversity and inclusion, read more.

The role

The Director of Industry Relations at IAB UK, is a new, permanent role, that will be responsible for driving the IAB UK’s strategic agenda for the digital advertising industry, representing it externally, setting the gold standard for excellence in ad tech, and positioning IAB UK as the benchmark for best practices.

They will be a visionary, dynamic leader, who can champion the interests of the ecosystem, foster influential partnerships, and drive positive change.

They will manage a team of three that focus on online standards and the ad tech community. We would consider a full or part time role for the right candidate.

Key responsibilities

• Visionary Leadership: Driving IAB UK’s strategic agenda for the digital advertising industry to ensure it works together to build a better future that benefits everyone. You will be a passionate advocate that champions the interests of the sector and advances the industry’s progress.
• Set the Gold Standard for Excellence: Drive widespread adoption of the IAB Gold Standard, enhancing trust, transparency, and accountability across the industry. Position IAB UK as the benchmark for best practices and industry standards
• Forge Influential Partnerships: Build and strengthen relationships with global IABs and other leading industry bodies to align efforts, amplify impact, and advance the shared goals of the digital advertising community.
• Accelerate Industry Adoption and Awareness: Prioritize initiatives to drive greater adoption of the Gold Standard, fostering innovation and credibility within the ad tech community. Build a thriving ad tech network, creating opportunities for collaboration and thought leadership. Elevate the perception of IAB UK’s policy work among members, demonstrating its tangible value and impact.
• Position IAB UK as the Go-To Authority: Solidify IAB UK’s role as the gateway for understanding and influencing global tech standards, particularly from the US, ensuring members remain at the forefront of innovation. Establish IAB UK as the bridge to other trade bodies, ensuring members feel represented, connected, and actively involved in shaping the industry’s future.

Skills, knowledge and characteristics

• Proven experience in a leadership role within the digital advertising industry or a related field.
• A credible contributor and influencer, inspiring trust amongst senior decision makers and bolstering the IABs credibility.
• Exceptional communication and advocacy skills.
• Ability to build and maintain influential relationships with key stakeholders.
• Ideally an understanding of the dynamics in the advertising industry and its trade bodies.
• The role requires someone that is willing to travel internationally as needed and work occasional evenings at industry events.

Management structure

The Director of Industry Relations will report directly to the CEO, managing a team of three that focus on online standards and the ad tech community.

Flexible working

We have a hybrid approach to working, with the whole company working from the office in Covent Garden every Wednesday and we ask team members to come into the office on at least one other day per week.

Equal opportunities

The IAB supports equal opportunities for everyone, because we want to build a digital advertising industry that is for everybody. We value and respect all differences in people (seen and unseen). One of the ways we do this is by actively encouraging staff to work in ways that best suit their needs and our flexible working policy outlines options available. Please talk to us at the interview about the flexibility, equipment or other support you need. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we promise not to judge you for asking.

Application process

Applications to be sent to [email protected]. Salary is competitive.