At Booking.com, data drives our decisions. Technology is at our core. And innovation is everywhere. But our company is more than datasets, lines of code or A/B tests. We're the thrill of the first night in a new place. The excitement of the next morning. The friends you encounter. The journeys you take. The sights you see. And the memories you make. Through our products, partners and people, we make it easier for everyone to experience the world.
The Ad Operations Manager will play a pivotal role in overseeing and optimizing the ad tech systems and operations that power our digital advertising efforts across EMEA. This role will lead the development and execution of ad operations strategy, managing a to-be-hired team of campaign managers as well as an external agency. The Ad Ops Manager will ensure the seamless execution of digital advertising campaigns and play a key part in driving business growth through efficient ad operations and optimization. With at least 8+ years of experience in digital media and ad operations, this individual will bring deep technical expertise and strategic leadership to the role. The role will report to the Sr. Commercial Manager Advertising - EMEA, and will also be responsible for collaborating with key internal stakeholders across product, sales, and account management teams.
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Key Responsibilities:
Ad Tech Leadership & System Management:
- Own and optimize all ad tech platforms, including Google Ad Manager (GAM), ad servers, and related systems, ensuring they are configured for efficient campaign execution and scalability.
- Lead efforts to integrate new tools and technologies that support the business, driving efficiency and innovation within the ad operations ecosystem.
- Collaborate with internal tech teams to implement upgrades, troubleshoot technical issues, and ensure system alignment with business objectives.
Team & Agency Management:
- Lead and mentor a growing team of campaign managers, providing guidance and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.
- Oversee the external ad operations agency, ensuring they meet high-performance standards and deliver on objectives. Regularly review their work, provide strategic feedback, and drive continuous improvement in collaboration processes.
- Define clear performance expectations for both the team and the agency, setting KPIs and ensuring alignment with Booking.com's goals.
Campaign Implementation & QA:
- Ensure flawless execution of all digital advertising campaigns, including display, native, programmatic, and video formats. Supervise campaign setup, trafficking, and quality assurance processes, ensuring adherence to client and internal requirements.
- Lead troubleshooting efforts, identifying and resolving technical issues that may arise during campaign execution. Proactively identify areas for optimization to improve campaign performance.
Optimization & Reporting:
- Monitor and analyze campaign performance in real time, providing data-driven insights and optimizations that improve effectiveness, targeting, and inventory usage.
- Collaborate with the sales and account teams to ensure accurate, timely reporting to both internal stakeholders and clients. Provide insights on campaign success, challenges, and areas for improvement.
Cross-Department Collaboration & Process Improvement:
- Work closely with internal teams (including Account Management, Sales, Product, and Ad Operations) to streamline workflows, reduce bottlenecks, and improve operational efficiency.
- Lead initiatives to enhance ad operations processes and share best practices across the team and organization.
- Provide input into product development, ensuring that new advertising solutions meet technical and operational feasibility standards.
Inventory Management & Forecasting:
- Manage ad inventory across platforms, ensuring availability for booked campaigns while forecasting future needs in collaboration with the sales team.
- Provide accurate inventory forecasts and optimize inventory usage to maximize revenue and minimize waste during high-demand periods.
Data-Driven Decision Making & Insights:
- Leverage first-party and third-party data to improve targeting and campaign performance. Ensure data-driven decision-making across the team and agency.
- Stay up to date with ad tech developments, market trends, and regulatory changes that could impact operations. Use these insights to inform system upgrades and campaign strategies.
Compliance & Industry Standards:
- Ensure all campaigns comply with industry standards, including data privacy regulations and ad delivery guidelines (e.g., GDPR, IAB standards).
- Oversee compliance processes, ensuring the team adheres to best practices in terms of security, privacy, and quality assurance.
Required Qualifications & Skills:
Experience:
- 8+ years in digital media and ad operations, including extensive knowledge of platforms like Google Ad Manager (GAM), programmatic systems, and third-party ad servers.
- Proven track record of leading and mentoring ad operations teams or agencies.
- Experience managing external agencies and ensuring alignment with business goals.
Technical Expertise:
- Deep understanding of ad serving, programmatic buying, creative trafficking, and campaign management.
- Proficiency in optimizing ad tech tools, including verification systems, supply-side platforms (SSPs), and data management platforms (DMPs).
- Skilled in troubleshooting technical issues and implementing system improvements.
Leadership & Collaboration:
- Strong leadership skills with experience in stakeholder management across product, sales, and account teams.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and streamline processes for operational efficiency.
Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills:
- Excellent analytical skills to monitor campaign performance, identify optimization opportunities, and resolve ad ops challenges.
- Data-driven decision-making with the ability to translate insights into actionable improvements.
- Compliance Knowledge: Familiarity with GDPR, IAB standards, and data privacy regulations, with a track record of ensuring compliance in ad operations.
Additional Skills:
- Proficiency in CRM tools and analytics platforms is a plus.
- Multilingual abilities, especially in Spanish or other EMEA languages, are a strong advantage.
Benefits & Perks - Global Impact, Personal Relevance:
Booking.com's Total Rewards Philosophy is not only about compensation but also about benefits. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, as well unique-to-Booking.com benefits which include:
- Annual paid time off and generous paid leave scheme including: parent, grandparent, bereavement, and care leave
- Hybrid working including flexible working arrangements, and up to 20 days per year working from abroad (home country)
- Industry leading product discounts - up to 1400 per year - for yourself, including automatic Genius Level 3 status and Booking.com wallet credit
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at Booking.com:
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion have been a core part of our company culture since day one. This ongoing journey starts with our very own employees, who represent over 140 nationalities and a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations.
Take it from our Chief People Officer, Paulo Pisano: "At Booking.com, the diversity of our people doesn't just build an outstanding workplace, it also creates a better and more inclusive travel experience for everyone. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. It's a place where you can make your mark and have a real impact in travel and tech."
We ensure that colleagues with disabilities are provided the adjustments and tools they need to participate in the job application and interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
Application Process:
- Let's go places together: How we Hire
- This role does not come with relocation assistance.
Booking.com is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We strive to move well beyond traditional equal opportunity and work to create an environment that allows everyone to thrive.
Pre-Employment Screening
If your application is successful, your personal data may be used for a pre-employment screening check by a third party as permitted by applicable law. Depending on the vacancy and applicable law, a pre-employment screening may include employment history, education and other information (such as media information) that may be necessary for determining your qualifications and suitability for the position.