Who We Are

Semafor is a global news platform for an increasingly complex world in which consumers are overwhelmed by too many news sources and unsure what to trust. We are building Semafor to enable world-class journalists to deliver reporting and insights with rigor in journalistic forms that ensure a new level of transparency. Our editors and reporters distill the most important stories from all over in formats that uncover the forces shaping the stories, explain the interests behind polarizing narratives, and replenish the stock of shared facts. As a global platform, Semafor recognizes that smart people can disagree and that informed readers need to understand alternative points of view from competing centers of power and culture in a multi-polar world. Want to join us? Read on.

About This Role

The Manager, Digital Activation & Campaign Performance sits at the center of Semafor’s post-sale execution engine, overseeing the end-to-end lifecycle of integrated digital programs across newsletters, custom content, branded storytelling, paid social, and digital products.

This role ensures every sold partnership is operationally sound, strategically executed, and delivered flawlessly — translating client objectives into high-impact campaigns while maintaining rigorous standards across editorial integrity, brand safety, IAB compliance, trafficking accuracy, performance optimization, and client experience.

Working closely with Sales, Editorial, Marketing, Product, Ad Operations, and Events, this position supports the operational backbone of client delivery: campaign onboarding, project management, content operations, paid social activation, trafficking execution, QA oversight, reporting and insights, and revenue-supporting optimization opportunities.

Your Responsibilities

Client Onboarding, Strategy & Project Management

Transition sold programs from Sales into execution with a clear understanding of campaign goals, deliverables, KPIs, and timelines.
Lead applicable client kickoff calls to align on objectives, stakeholders, workflows, and success metrics.
Build and maintain detailed project plans and client-facing timelines across all workstreams.
Manage campaign workflows across Editorial, Marketing, Product, Design, and Ad Operations teams.
Maintain clear documentation, trackers, and communication to ensure operational transparency.

Custom Content & Multichannel Execution

Oversee technical campaign and operational coordination for custom and branded programs, including:
- branded/editorial articles
- custom newsletter integrations
- custom social creative
- bespoke storytelling and distribution formats
- custom brand lift studies
Coordinate reviews, approvals, and technical handoffs across internal stakeholders to keep content aligned with Semafor standards and client expectations.
Monitor pacing and delivery across digital channels, proactively addressing risks or execution gaps.
Ensure all live placements meet editorial guidelines, IAB standards, platform policies, and brand safety requirements.

Ad Operations, Trafficking Readiness & QA

Own asset collection and readiness including creative files, copy, tracking pixels, specs, and brand guidelines.
Execute or directly oversee trafficking with Ad Operations within platforms such as Google Ad Manager, LiveIntent, YouTube, and Megaphone.
Demonstrate familiarity with IAB ad unit standards and digital measurement terminology.
Conduct comprehensive QA checks prior to launch, including link validation, tracking verification, creative rendering, pixel firing, and flight date accuracy.
Deliver live confirmations, screenshots, and in-flight verifications to clients and Sales teams.
Troubleshoot delivery issues, pacing discrepancies, or tracking gaps in partnership with Ad Operations.
Maintain accurate campaign status tracking and operational records within CRM systems.
Monitor and optimize delivery based on campaign KPIs.

Paid Social Activation & Optimization

Translate client objectives into paid social strategies across Meta, LinkedIn, YouTube, and emerging platforms.
Manage campaign setup, targeting, budgeting, and optimization throughout the campaign flight.
Monitor pacing, delivery, and performance, recommending proactive adjustments to creative, audience targeting, or budget allocation.
Ensure compliance with platform policies and Semafor editorial and brand safety standards.

Measurement, Reporting & Performance Insights

Develop measurement frameworks with clear KPIs, benchmarks, and reporting cadence.
Deliver live confirmations, mid-flight performance updates, and optimization recommendations.
Own final campaign wrap reports, synthesizing performance data into actionable insights tied to client goals.
Support brand lift studies and advanced measurement initiatives in partnership with vendors and platforms.
Translate campaign learnings into internal best practices that inform future proposals, pricing, and packaging.

Product Logistics & Cross-Functional Liaisoning

Serve as a key operational bridge between Commercial, Editorial, Marketing, Product, and Events teams.
Ensure proposed concepts are feasible, properly scoped, and executed to Semafor standards.
Coordinate logistics across digital distribution, newsletters, custom content, and paid media execution.
Maintain templates, playbooks, and operational norms that make delivery scalable and repeatable.

Client Experience, Retention & Revenue Growth

Act as a primary client contact during campaign flight, providing proactive updates and ensuring a seamless experience.
Identify added-value opportunities such as bonus placements, extensions, or product add-ons based on performance and inventory realities.
Partner with Sales to support renewals, upsells, and long-term partnership growth.
Maintain accurate campaign data and feedback loops within the CRM to support RevOps planning and forecasting.

Qualifications

5–8+ years of experience in campaign management, digital activation, ad operations, client services, or revenue operations within a media publisher, agency, or platform environment.
Bachelor’s degree required; Marketing, Communications, Business, or related field preferred.
Hands-on experience trafficking and executing integrated programs across custom content, newsletters/email, digital media, and paid social.
Strong operational rigor and QA mindset, with comfort reviewing deliverables, timelines, and campaign logistics.
Familiarity with ad tech and measurement tools such as Google Ad Manager, LiveIntent, Meta/LinkedIn Ads Manager, and CRM systems (Boostr preferred).
Exceptional project management skills with the ability to coordinate complex cross-functional workflows.
Strong analytical and storytelling ability — able to translate performance data into strategic insights.
Calm, proactive client service style with a high level of attention to detail.
Genuine interest in journalism, global affairs, and the evolving media ecosystem.

Additional Job Details

This position is based in New York, NY at Semafor Headquarters

Comprehensive employee benefits: unlimited PTO, medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability, flexible spending, health savings accounts, life insurance, 401(k), pre-Tax commuter benefits.

Salary Range: Base: $100,000 - $115,000 per year plus bonus. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc.

Additional Job Details

Semafor offers a Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy to our full-time, salaried employees who may take paid time off as-needed without a prescribed limit or defined balance.

Semafor, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Semafor, Inc. will consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

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Manager, Digital Activation & Campaign Performance