Generative AI is transforming the way we interact with information, but it also poses an existential challenge to content creators. By scraping proprietary material without compensation, generative AI undermines key revenue streams -such as ad revenue, subscriptions, and licensing agreements - that sustain high-quality and original content creation.

ProRata was founded in 2024 by Bill Gross at Idealab Studio with a mission to ensure that generative AI platforms fairly credit and compensate content owners for their contributions. Our groundbreaking technology enables generative AI platforms to attribute sources and share revenue on a per-use basis, protecting creators, fostering sustainable journalism, and promoting the integrity of AI-generated content.

Role:

We are seeking a talented Director of Ad Operations to join us as our first hire in Ad Ops, responsible for building scalable systems, solving technical issues, and collaborating cross-functionally with Sales, Product, and Engineering. In this role, you will responsible for the full spectrum of campaign execution — including setup, trafficking, optimization, and reporting — across search and display channels.

The ideal candidate brings deep digital ad experience, an investigative mindset, and the drive to build something new in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:

• Own the end-to-end execution of all ad campaigns: trafficking, QA, pacing, troubleshooting, and reporting

• Manage and optimize both search and display campaign delivery workflows

• Design and implement scalable ad operations infrastructure, tools, and SOPs from the ground up

• Lead implementation of CRM systems and integrate them into campaign delivery and revenue workflows

• Partner with Product and Engineering to launch tools, resolve delivery issues, and build internal reporting dashboards

• Run pilot campaigns and controlled tests to validate ad platform performance and client results

• Act as the technical liaison to internal and external teams — translating complex issues into clear, actionable solutions

• Apply an investigative approach to diagnose, escalate, and resolve campaign delivery and platform bugs

• Educate Sales, Marketing, and Account Management on ad ops workflows, capabilities, and performance metrics

• Stay on top of emerging ad tech — especially in AI-powered, search, and contextual media — and bring forward recommendations

• Build and lead a growing Ad Ops team as the business scales
  

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in ad operations or digital media, ideally within an ad network, DSP, SSP, or performance media platform

• Deep understanding of trafficking, campaign pacing, troubleshooting, and optimization best practices

• Experience with search advertising platforms (e.g., Google Ads) and display ad systems (e.g., GAM, Xandr, DSPs)

• Familiarity with CRM platforms like HubSpot or Salesforce and their role in campaign workflow integration

• Demonstrated experience implementing ad tech infrastructure and supporting new platform rollouts

• Strong command of advertising pricing models: CPC, CPA, CPM, CPV

• Proven ability to lead and educate cross-functional teams on Ad Ops best practices

• Skilled at distilling technical details into business-first narratives

• An investigative perspective and strong analytical mindset to identify and resolve technical and operational issues

• A positive attitude and willingness to learn and adapt quickly in a fast-paced, startup environment

• Experience launching new processes or org structures in a high-growth company
  
  

Work Environment:

• Location: This position is onsite in our Pasadena office and employees are expected to work onsite during regular business hours.
  

Compensation:

• The compensation for this position will be competitive and commensurate with experience. The estimated salary range for this role is 140,000 - 190,000 USD.

What We Offer: 

• Opportunity to work at the forefront of AI technology 

• Collaborative and innovative work environment 

• Competitive salary and benefits package 

• Professional development and growth opportunities 

• Chance to make a significant impact on the company's success 

Equal Employment Opportunity:  

• ProRata is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.  

California Specific Notices:  

• At-Will Employment: Employment at ProrataAI is at-will. This means that either the employee or the employer may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or prior notice. 

• Salary Disclosure: In compliance with California law, salary information is provided to ensure transparency and fairness. 

• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): ProrataAI complies with the CCPA. Personal information collected during the recruitment process will be used for employment purposes only.