Head of Industry, Financial Services

About the role

Viant has established strong momentum across Financial Services and is seeking a Head of Financial Services to accelerate growth within one of our most strategic industry verticals. This executive leader will expand brand-direct demand, deepen agency adoption, and strengthen Viant's position as the leading AI-powered programmatic platform for financial marketers across banking, credit cards, insurance, wealth management, fintech, and lending. The role requires 15+ years of advertising experience and a minimum of 5+ years supporting Financial Services marketers in a brand-direct, agency, or ad technology environment. The ideal candidate possesses a proven ability to build executive relationships, grow category revenue, and develop high-performing go-to-market teams while navigating the unique complexities of the financial services landscape. Working cross-functionally with Sales, Product, Business Development, Marketing, and Measurement, this leader will help shape Viant's Financial Services strategy while driving innovation and long-term category growth in a rapidly evolving privacy-conscious market.

Key facts

What you'll do

Scale Viant's Financial Services business by expanding strategic relationships with leading financial brands across banking, credit cards, insurance, fintech, wealth management, and lending while identifying new vertical opportunities. Position Viant as the premier AI-powered programmatic platform for retail marketers by evangelizing our identity, content, attention and omnichannel advertising capabilities through compelling narratives and proven outcomes. Drive industry awareness through thought leadership initiatives, executive presentations at major conferences, and targeted customer education programs that demonstrate Viant's expertise and vision. Own and grow brand-direct demand generation initiatives while partnering with the broader sales organization to accelerate agency adoption and deepen penetration across the Financial Services category. Develop and execute a category-specific go-to-market strategy that increases Viant's presence within key financial services marketing organizations through precise targeting and value-based positioning. Partner with agencies and enterprise clients to navigate evolving privacy regulations, identity resolution challenges, and measurement complexities while positioning Viant as the preferred programmatic partner that delivers measurable results. Recruit, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of Financial Services-focused sales leaders, account managers, and technical specialists who understand the unique needs of the sector. Define category success metrics and establish clear KPIs, then lead execution against ambitious revenue targets, adoption rates, and growth objectives that advance Viant's market leadership. Serve as the executive face of Viant's Financial Services business at client meetings, executive briefings, industry events, and strategic partnership discussions, representing the company with professionalism and authority. Partner closely with Product and Business Development teams to influence new Financial Services solutions, strategic partnerships, measurement capabilities, and data offerings that strengthen Viant's competitive position and address evolving market needs.

Requirements

Candidates must bring a minimum of 15 years of comprehensive advertising experience, including at least 5 years of direct experience supporting Financial Services marketers within brand-direct, agency, or ad technology environments. Possess deep expertise across multiple Financial Services verticals including banking, insurance, credit cards, fintech, wealth management, and lending, with demonstrated understanding of the regulatory and compliance considerations that impact marketing strategies. Show a proven track record of building and maintaining executive-level brand-direct relationships and expanding programmatic investment within complex Financial Services organizations. Demonstrate strong understanding of the full spectrum of programmatic advertising channels, including CTV, Online Video, Display, Mobile, Streaming Audio, and Digital Out-of-Home, and how these channels perform within financial services campaigns. Exhibit experience hiring, developing, and leading high-performing go-to-market teams within ad tech, digital media, or enterprise technology environments, with particular success in fast-paced, target-driven settings. Cultivate the ability to collaborate effectively across Sales, Product, Marketing, Business Development, and Client Services functions, ensuring alignment and shared success on cross-functional initiatives. Apply a strategic, analytical mindset to complex industry challenges, translating nuanced financial services requirements into measurable advertising solutions that deliver clear business value. Communicate with exceptional clarity and confidence, demonstrating outstanding presentation skills and the ability to represent organizations professionally at industry events, client engagements, and high-stakes meetings where financial services decision makers are present.

Nice to have

Preferred candidates will have 15+ years of advertising experience, including at least 5+ years supporting Financial Services marketers in brand-direct, agency, or ad technology roles. Deep expertise across banking, insurance, credit cards, fintech, wealth management, lending, or closely related Financial Services verticals provides significant advantage. Strong understanding of programmatic advertising ecosystems, including CTV, Online Video, Display, Mobile, Streaming Audio, and Digital Out-of-Home implementation and optimization within financial services contexts. Proven success building executive brand-direct relationships and expanding programmatic investment within large Financial Services organizations and complex buying structures. Experience hiring, developing, and leading high-performing go-to-market teams within ad tech, digital media, or enterprise technology, especially those with Financial Services focus. Ability to collaborate cross-functionally across Sales, Product, Marketing, Business Development, and Client Services to drive integrated solutions and shared category wins. Strategic, analytical mindset capable of translating complex industry challenges and regulatory considerations into measurable advertising solutions that address specific Financial Services needs. Exceptional communication and executive presentation skills with demonstrated experience representing organizations at industry events and client engagements where financial services professionals are the primary audience.

Practical notes

This is a full-time position based in Chicago, Illinois, United States; Los Angeles, California, United States; or New York, New York, United States. Travel may be required for client meetings, industry conferences, and business development activities across Financial Services markets. Employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of background checks and verification of professional credentials as standard practice for Viant Technology roles.