Principle, App Network Strategy - Contract

Why DEPT®?

We are pioneers at heart. What this means, is that we are always leaning forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today. We were born digital and we are a new model of agency, with a deep skillset in tech and marketing. That’s why we hire curious, self-driven, talented people who never stop innovating.

Our culture is big enough to cope and small enough to care. Meaning, that with people across 20+ countries, we’re big enough to provide you with the best tools, global opportunities, and benefits that help you thrive. While acting small by investing in you, your growth, your team, and giving you the autonomy to solve our clients’ problems, no matter where you are in the world.

The Opportunity 

Join DEPT®, partnering with a confidential, category‑defining AI brand. You’ll lead app‑first programmatic strategy across in‑app networks and DSPs, working shoulder‑to‑shoulder with a Principal, Data Technology, Group Director, Programmatic, and Group Director, Ad Operations to develop a scalable and comprehensive app network strategy and activation. 

This is a hands‑on, strategic, high‑trust role with visibility to client stakeholders with extensive app experience, and a mandate to level up internal teams in app strategy.

What You’ll Do

Own the app network strategy, audit, selection, POV, and consequent roadmaps:

• Run the network selection process: develop the POV on the best app network for the client. This includes designing and executing the RFI/RFP’s, building a weighted scorecard, leading vendor evaluations/tests, and delivering the final recommendation and onboarding plan.
• Size opportunity, architect channel mix, develop complementary audience and supply strategy, and prioritize in‑app partners based on multi-facted criteria (including, but not exhaustive of platform capabilities, inventory quality, reach, reporting depth, fraud profile, and expected ROI.)
• Build strategy effectively without an MMP: collaborate on the design of pragmatic measurement plans (e.g., SKAN‑only, PSA/geo lift, MMM/lightweight causal inference) while advising on MMP selection (AppsFlyer, Adjust, Branch, Kochava) and rollout when appropriate.
• Design rigorous test & learn plans across bidding, supply curation, placements/formats (video, playable, interstitial), targeting, and creative to drive app downloads and incremental growth.
• Translate business goals into performance plans with clear hypotheses, budgets, pacing, and success metrics (app downloads and incrementality). 
• Represent the work to senior, technical stakeholders: lead strategy reviews, QBRs, and roadmap discussions; “go toe‑to‑toe” on mechanics, trade‑offs, and measurement.

Lead internal education and enablement across teams:

• Proactively build training programs and SOPs; run live enablement sessions to ramp teams on priority networks quickly.
• Establish comprehensive best practices across campaign structures, optimization frequency and strategies, event hierarchies, value‑based optimization, and SKAN‑compliant & Privacy Sandbox–ready setup, and more as needed.
• Synthesize and report clear insights from tests; coordinate incrementality readouts with partners and produce concise narratives that move decisions forward. Create scalable, repeatable, and automated processes, then train teams on how to enable them.
• Educate across teams on how/why to validate data flows (SDKs, server‑side, event schemas), ensure ATT/SKAN compliance, and operationalize Android Privacy Sandbox attribution initially in a no‑MMP environment. Develop clear guidance and education on the benefits of adopting an MMP and the drawbacks of working without an MMP, keeping in mind that this is a client-driven decision. 
• Devise ongoing training on how best to automate curation of supply for brand safety and performance; coaching through hands-on negotiation with partners to proactively fight low quality supply.

What We’re Looking For

• 7–10+ years in performance/growth media, with 5+ years focused exclusively on app-network UA, including hands-on activation and strategic leadership.
• Expert fluency with in‑app networks and mobile DSPs, especially but not exhaustive of AppLovin, Unity Ads/LevelPlay (ironSource), Liftoff (Vungle Exchange), Moloco, and InMobi. Maintains strong POV on how each partner differs from self‑attributing platforms.
• Track record building training, SOPs, and playbooks; known as someone who embodies a coach persona.
• Strong client‑facing presence; able to simplify technical detail, defend trade‑offs, and align cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders with varied backgrounds and ability to gain understanding and alignment quickly.
• Ability to operate without an MMP and advise on if/when to implement one; cross‑functional fluency to partner with AdTech/MarTech on SDK/event schema and SKAN mapping (no hands‑on coding required). Can review dashboards and ask the right questions to validate signal quality.

What We’re Not Looking For

• Someone to activate or manage app network campaigns directly.

Nice to Have

• Hands‑on app campaign experience in The Trade Desk, DV360, Google UAC and major social platforms as complementary channels.
• Experience partnering on creative strategy for playables and short‑form video to inform testing with network/creative partners.

Engagement Details

• Contract: Freelance (1099) or corp‑to‑corp; full‑time (40 hrs/week).
• Duration: Minimum 3 months; 6 months likely (extendable).
• Start: ASAP
• Timezone & Collaboration: CT/ET strongly preferred; remote
• Travel: Possible quarterly on‑site with the client.
• Compensation: Competitive / DOE 

How We’ll Partner

You’ll work day‑to‑day with Client Partners, Integrated Strategy & Planning, Craft, and AdTech/MarTech leads to deliver a single, connected media experience and program for the client. 

How to Apply

Please send your resume and a brief note highlighting:

• Your app network/DSP expertise and notable scale achieved (AppLovin, Unity/LevelPlay, Liftoff, Moloco, InMobi)
• An RFI/RFP/scorecard you’ve led and the outcome
• A SKAN/Privacy Sandbox challenge you solved and how
• An example of training or a playbook you created for a team
• Any complementary experience in The Trade Desk, DV360, Google UAC, or social app campaigns

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

This is a 3-6 month contract. We can offer $105-$140 hourly for the right resource.

WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU: 

DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s lived experience, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and genetic information. So tell us about any accommodations you need. It’s totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step.

DEPT® participates in E-Verify, meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S. 

We are a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work.  Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT® is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place. 

DEPT® is a pioneering technology and marketing services company that creates integrated end-to-end digital experiences for brands such as Google, KFC, Philips, Audi, Twitch, Patagonia, eBay and more. Its team of 2,500+ digital specialists across 30+ locations on 5 continents delivers pioneering work on a global scale with a boutique culture. 

Learn more about DEPT®

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine. 

We also encourage you  to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.

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