About SJC

We create, publish and print best-in-class content. As Canada’s largest privately owned communications company, we partner with our clients to provide marketing solutions that inform, inspire, and empower audiences across every platform. Owner and publisher of Canada’s most iconic portfolio of media brands, including Toronto Life, FASHION, Chatelaine and Maclean’s, we provide incredible reach to an influential audience.

SJC Media is the largest producer of magazines in Canada, with award-winning titles such as Toronto Life, Maclean’s, HELLO! Canada, Chatelaine, Today’s Parent, Canadian Business, and many more. We’ve been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for over 20 years.

About the Job

The Head of Advertising Operations will be responsible for the operation of the direct and open market demand channels. Direct includes the full lifecycle of programmatic and direct-sold solutions and campaigns, managing key internal and external relationships, and ensuring successful campaign delivery through proactive optimizations, insights reporting, and operational excellence. Open market includes a number of existing and upcoming demand partnerships including SSPs and marketplace solutions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Campaign Management & Operations

• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders across hundreds of campaign bookings to ensure seamless execution.
• Own and optimize the end-to-end campaign management process, including integrations and workflows within Google Ad Manager and similar systems.
• Ensure all campaigns deliver according to requirements, adjusting strategies and making performance recommendations in real-time.
• Partner with Sales and AdOps to build robust, client-specific media plans that meet strategic objectives.

Programmatic Strategy & Execution

• Own and optimize our programmatic open market demand stack, identifying areas for improvement and coordinating with partners to execute.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the Sales Team in support of programmatic direct programs/campaigns.
• Package and promote premium inventory for programmatic deals, including managing inclusion with ad network partners.

Performance Analytics & Reporting

• Create insightful weekly and ad hoc performance reports for teammates, clearly communicating results, trends, and optimizations.
• Conduct regular analysis and compile reports to identify and surface opportunities and performance patterns.
• Deliver in-depth analysis of user behavior and campaign metrics across digital domains to guide data-driven decisions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Product Support

• Drive internal education and enablement efforts to promote best practices in programmatic advertising.
• Support ongoing process improvement and strategic development within the broader ad operations ecosystem. This may involve working closely with the development team in the implementation and advancement of products and solutions.
• Support the Finance team in revenue reconciliation initiatives.

Other Duties

• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support business objectives and team growth. Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Data Analytics, or a related field.

Requirements

• 5–10+ years of experience in digital advertising operations and programmatic strategy with 2+ years of experience in a leadership or cross-functional management capacity.
• Deep, hands-on expertise with Google Ad Manager (GAM) and standard programmatic marketplace ecosystems (including SSPs and DSPs).
• Proven ability to manage both direct-sold and open-market demand channels.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency with data tools (such as Google Analytics, Excel, or Tableau) to translate campaign metrics into insights and support revenue reconciliation.
• Excellent communication and relationship-management skills to work effectively across Sales, Product Development, and Finance teams.

Benefits at SJC:

SJC is committed to the well-being and professional development of its employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

Health and Dental Benefits

• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and access to online health & wellness resources through Homewood Health.
• Scholarship program available for employees’ children.
• Exclusive employee subscription rates for SJC publications.
• A complimentary 1-year Toronto Life Insider membership.
• Discounted annual GoodLife membership.
• Participation in the Perkopolis Perk Program, offering employee pricing at a wide range of retailers.
• A Workplace Built for Everyone:

SJC Values

• Amaze our customers: We put our customers’ evolving needs at the heart of the business and inspire through our ideas, quality and service.
• Be relentlessly curious: We take the initiative to learn, try new things and brainstorm the next big idea.
• Respect every individual as equal: We value diversity as the means to creativity and cultivate a collaborative environment where everyone belongs.
• Innovate and adapt with urgency: Forward-thinking and flexible, we react quickly and boldly to change.
• Contribute to our community: We apply our resources and passions to make a difference – for people and our planet

Accommodations at SJC

SJC i s proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, where everyone feels welcome and has the opportunity to thrive. We're committed to creating inclusive and barrier-free recruitment processes and work environments. If you're contacted for an interview and require any accommodations to ensure a fair and equitable experience, please let our Human Resources team know. We'll handle any information you share with complete confidentiality.

Inclusion at SJC

Equality and respect for all is one of our founding values and core beliefs at SJC. We are a diverse group with associates of all ages, orientations, races and talents. We celebrate this diversity and we draw strength from it. Inclusivity at SJC means fostering a culture that welcomes and respects each individual as equal – both inside our walls and within the larger community.