Ad Sales Lead, Programmatic
Duolingo is seeking an Ad Sales Lead, Programmatic, to spearhead the development and growth of its premium programmatic advertising business. This role involves building and managing a deal-led book of business with agency holding companies, independent agencies, and advertisers, focusing on Duolingo's native ad formats and first-party learner data. The position reports directly to the Head of Ad Sales and is based in New York, NY.
In this role, the Ad Sales Lead will be responsible for owning a programmatic revenue target and forecast, establishing a predictable pipeline across various programmatic teams, trading desks, and premium buyers. Key duties include transitioning business from open auctions to premium, deal-led PMP/PG by packaging Duolingo's native formats and first-party learner signals into custom deals. The role also involves negotiating annual and upfront commitments, building the programmatic value proposition through proposals and pricing narratives, and collaborating with Ad Platform Operations and Ad Ops on deal setup and execution.
Candidates should have over 8 years of experience in digital advertising, with at least 4 years in programmatic sales on the sell side or in a holding-company programmatic/investment role. A proven track record in selling PMP/PG deals and engaging with trading desks is essential. Experience in selling premium mobile or consumer app inventory, particularly video and native formats, through programmatic channels to top-tier advertisers and agencies is required. A strong understanding of ad tech and mobile app ecosystems, including DSP/SSP workflows, deal IDs, and verification/measurement, is necessary. Excellent communication and presentation skills are also crucial.
The compensation package includes a base salary ranging from $152,000 to $228,000 USD, supplemented by equity compensation. Additional benefits and perks are provided to support employees' well-being.
Duolingo is committed to fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. Employees are encouraged to experiment with new ideas, make data-driven decisions, and find creative solutions to complex challenges. The company offers ample learning opportunities and daily collaborations with a diverse team of professionals. Joining Duolingo means contributing to a mission that aims to provide high-quality education to learners worldwide.