Mid-Level

Advertising Operations Manager (Ad Operations Manager)

The ad ops leader — managing the systems, processes, and teams that make advertising campaigns run.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
A
S
I
R
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Advertising Operations Manager (Ad Operations Manager)s
Employment concentration · ~61 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Advertising Operations Manager (Ad Operations Manager)

As an Advertising Operations Manager, you're responsible for advertising operations infrastructure. This means managing ad trafficking, troubleshooting delivery issues, overseeing campaign implementation, leading operations teams, and ensuring advertising runs correctly and efficiently.

Your day balances technical problem-solving and team management. You might review campaign delivery reports in the morning, troubleshoot a tracking issue, meet with your team on workflow improvements, and coordinate with sales and creative on upcoming campaigns. Expect significant technical work and cross-functional coordination.

The people who thrive here are technical and organized, comfortable with both systems and people management. You need deep understanding of ad serving technology, problem-solving ability for complex technical issues, and management skills for leading operations teams.

AchievementAbove avg
Working ConditionsAbove avg
RecognitionAbove avg
IndependenceAbove avg
RelationshipsAbove avg
SupportModerate
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Team sizeTechnical complexityPublisher vs agencyAutomation levelChannel scope
Ad operations management varies by organization type. Publisher ad ops focuses on inventory and yield; agency ad ops focuses on client campaign delivery. Technical complexity varies with platform sophistication. Some roles manage large teams; others are more hands-on with fewer reports.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Advertising Operations Manager (Ad Operations Manager)s (SOC 11-2011.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Advertising Operations Manager (Ad Operations Manager) career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Team leadership
Building and developing ad ops teams
2
Strategic planning
Evolving operations capabilities
3
Cross-functional influence
Working with sales, product, and engineering
What ad tech stack does the organization use?
What size team would I manage?
What are the biggest operational challenges?
How does ad ops work with sales and product?
What does success look like?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$63K–$208K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
21K
U.S. Employment
-2.2%
10yr Growth
2K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$76K$72K$68K$65K$61K201920202021202220232024$61K$76K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningCritical ThinkingSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingWritingCoordinationTime ManagementComplex Problem Solving
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
11-2011.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.