The Trade Desk is a global technology company and the world’s leading independent platform for digital advertising, with nearly 4,000 employees across more than 30 offices. Our technology helps advertisers reach the right audiences across the open internet — from streaming TV and podcasts to mobile apps, news, and more.
Advertising powers the content people love. By making it more transparent, effective, and responsible, we help support trusted journalism, quality entertainment, and creators worldwide. The world’s brands and agencies rely on us to reach their customers and grow their businesses responsibly.
The scale of our platform brings unique technical challenges — from processing massive datasets in real time to building systems that operate reliably on a global scale. When you work here, your impact is worldwide. We welcome diverse perspectives, encourage curiosity, and build teams that learn from one another. If you’re driven to solve meaningful challenges, we’d love to meet you.
We’re changing the way global brands and their agencies advertise to audiences around the world. Why? Because at its best, the internet is an open marketplace of ideas, content, and commerce fueled by relevant advertising. That’s why we created an independent media buying platform designed for the open internet. One that helps marketers reach more customers in more places, with more transparency and choice at every stage.
The Independent Agency team is the strategic bridge between TTD and the top independent media agencies in the world. By owning relationships with agency leadership teams, this team ensures we are deeply aligned with the organizations that shape global media investment. We partner with agency leadership to improve profitability, streamline planning and buying workflows and unlock new ways to deliver value across the open internet. Through a deep understanding of agency economics, the Indy BD team influences product innovation, informs roadmap priorities and drives join strategies that make media more effective and efficient.
The Trade Desk (TTD) is seeking an accomplished and visionary **Vice President, Business Development - Independent Agencies **to lead our global relationships with independent media agencies. This leader will own executive engagement with agency founders and leadership teams, serving as a trusted advisor and strategic partner. By understanding the unique dynamics of independent agencies from entrepreneurial decision making, operational agility and growth priorities, this VP will help shape joint strategies that improve profitability, streamline planning and buying unlock new opportunities across the open internet. Internally, this role ensures independent agency feedback informs TTD”s product roadmap and go to market approach, strengthening alignment between our platform innovation and the needs of these high-growth partners.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- **Lead Independent Partnership Strategy: **Develop and execute a global strategy for deepening relationships with independent agencies, aligning on shared objectives that drive mutual growth and operational efficiency
- **Own Executive Engagement: **Serve as the primary point of contact for agency leadership, build trust-based relationships and influence strategic decisions that shape the future of media buying
- **Integrate Agency Feedback into Product Roadmap: **Partner with Product and Engineering to ensure agency insights inform platform development, measurement capabilities and workflow enhancements
- **Drive Commercial Outcomes: **Collaborate with agency leadership on initiatives that improve profitability, optimize planning and buying processes and unlock new revenue streams for both parties
- **Orchestrate Cross-Functional Execution: **Work closely with Sales, Client Services, Marketing and Legal to deliver integrated solutions and joint programs that strengthen agency partnerships globally
- **Represent TTD externally: **Act as a senior ambassador for TTD within the agency ecosystem, articulate our vision for the open internet and convene thought leadership forums with key partners
Leadership Competencies
- Influence & Relationship Building – Builds trust-based C-Suite relationships and navigates complex stakeholder landscapes
- Operational Excellence – Prioritizes effectively, drives accountability, and delivers results at scale
- Strategic Vision – Shapes and communicates a compelling agency partnership strategy that accelerates growth
**Functional Expertise **
- Indy Partnership Architecture – Expert in structuring, negotiating and scaling mutually beneficial strategic alliances
- Commercial Acumen – Designs and delivers revenue generating partnership models with measurable impact
- Data-Driven Decision Maker – Grounds strategy and prioritization in evidence and insights
**Mindset & Values **
- Open & Collaborative – Embodies TTD’s values of openness, generosity & full-heartedness
- Innovative & Agile – Anticipates industry shifts and adapts quickly to complexity and change
- Results-Oriented – Passionate about measurable impact.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 15+ years of experience in agency leadership, strategic partnerships or business development roles with deep knowledge of independent agency operations and economics
- Proven track record of executive relationship management influencing agency leadership and driving joint commercial strategies
- Strong commercial acumen, including understanding of agency P&L, principal buying models and profitability levers
- Experience shaping product or service strategies based on client feedback and market insights
- Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, capable of navigating complex multi-party agreements
**WHAT YOU’LL BRING **
- Authentic and values driven leader, someone who embodies our core values
- Collaborative leadership style, you’re someone who thrives in a non-political and team first environment, you build trust and alignment across diverse groups of stakeholders and global teams
- A forward-looking perspective, you’re someone who anticipates industry shifts and demonstrates grit and adaptability navigating complexity and change
- Inclusive and empathic – you champion diversity of thought and foster an environment where all voices are heard and respected
- Low ego, high impact – you prioritize outcomes over credit
In accordance with various US state laws, the range provided is the Trade Desk's reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, and location. All employees may be eligible to become The Trade Desk shareholders through eligibility for stock-based compensation grants, which are awarded to employees based on company and individual performance. The Trade Desk also offers other compensation depending on the role such as variable compensation-based incentives and commissions. Plus, expected benefits for this role include comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, and vision) with premiums paid in full for employees and dependents, retirement benefits such as a 401k plan and company match, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, well-being benefits, reimbursement for certain tuition expenses, parental leave, sick time of 1 hour per 30 hours worked, vacation time for full-time employees up to 120 hours thru the first year and 160 hours thereafter, and around 13 paid holidays per year. Employees can also purchase The Trade Desk stock at a discount through The Trade Desk’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
The Trade Desk also offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn more.
Note: Interns are not eligible for variable incentive awards such as stock-based compensation, retirement plan, vacation, tuition reimbursement or parental leave
At the Trade Desk, Base Salary is one part of our competitive total compensation and benefits package and is determined using a salary range. The base salary range for this role is
$178,200—$326,600 USD
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, The Trade Desk is committed to creating an inclusive hiring experience where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
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