Product Manager - Bidder and Forecasting

TEGNA, a leading local media company, is seeking a technical Product Manager to oversee the development and implementation of bidding and forecasting systems within its ad tech platform.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that the company's bidding and forecasting systems accurately predict and deliver campaign results, aligning with client expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership:
• Develop the bidding roadmap, determining where to invest in bidding capabilities and whether to build or buy solutions.
• Create the forecasting roadmap, defining what planning and sales teams can promise clients before a campaign runs.
• Establish standards for evaluating auction and pricing decisions, advising planning and sales teams on platform capabilities.

• Core Product Ownership:
• Manage bid logic, bid shading, and pacing across multiple channels (CTV, video, display, and audio).
• Ensure consistency between bid behavior and forecast output, aligning quoted and delivered numbers.
• Oversee avails, reach, and frequency forecasting for standard and custom targeting, publishing accuracy metrics.
• Provide planners and traders with reliable numbers and tools to track changes.
• Develop and optimize models for bid optimization, dynamic floor pricing, and forecast generation.

• Tactical Execution:
• Write technical requirements for the bidder engineering team.
• Diagnose delivery shortfalls, tracing issues across forecast, bid, and supply.
• Collaborate daily with cross-functional teams, including Engineering, Ad Operations, Planning, Sales, and Program Management.

Requirements and Skills:

• Technical Expertise:
• Knowledge of auction mechanics, including first and second price dynamics, bid shading, and pacing.
• Understanding of OpenRTB and supply path economics.
• Familiarity with forecasting methods and SQL/log analysis.

• Professional Experience:
• At least 5 years of product management experience, with 3+ years at a DSP, SSP, exchange, or bidder.
• Hands-on experience in CTV, video, or display, with audio being a plus.
• Proven track record of shipping changes to bidding or forecasting models and designing tests.

• Soft Skills:
• Data-driven decision-making.
• Effective communication of auction economics.
• Ability to defend forecasts and build prototypes.

Pay Range: $80,000 - $140,000 USD

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) program with company match.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• Access to virtual doctor's appointments and therapy sessions.