u/Coffee-Addict-1

Hey everyone, I’m looking for some career advice or honestly just some validation from people who know the industry.

I spent the last 5 years at a marketing agency doing pure programmatic campaign execution for a massive automotive client. My day-to-day was heavy technical setup, managing YouTube ads on DV360, and setting up programmatic guaranteed & PMP deals. Strategy, planning, and client-facing reporting were all handled by completely separate person who was more client facing. I loved the operational side and felt like I really knew my stuff.

A month ago, a recruiter headhunted me on LinkedIn for a "Marketing Manager" role at another agency. The interview process was insanely easy—just an Excel test on pivot tables and basic marketing calculations, no deep technical vetting. The salary jump was great (from $55k to $70k CAD), so I took it.

Now I'm 4 weeks in and realized I’ve been completely baited and switched.

Turns out, this agency doesn't even do programmatic. Management prefers buying through external advertising partners because they think it's cheaper and they like the "added value/bonus impressions." So my actual core skillset (DV360) is completely useless here.
Instead, I am being forced to handle 3 massive food clients under 4 different directors, and my entire day consists of:

1. Building high-level strategic PowerPoint proposals (which I have zero experience in)
2. Endless client emails and account management
3. Building complex monthly pacing and post-campaign performance decks and presenting them directly to the client.

Because I have no background in strategy or deep data storytelling, I am drowning. I’m experiencing massive anxiety, feeling like an idiot every day, and a close colleague just warned me that she frequently works until 2:00 AM just to keep up because upper management only cares about client satisfaction, not employee burnout.

My old job filled my position, so I can't go back. I feel totally unqualified for this specific role, but I know I'm a damn good programmatic trader.

Has anyone else transitioned from technical/execution to general account management and hated it? I’m seriously considering quiet quitting to survive probation while aggressively applying for pure programmatic/AdOps specialist roles again, even if it means taking a slight pay cut back to the $60k range for my own sanity.

Would love to hear your thoughts or stories if you've been through something similar.

Hey everyone,
I’m a 37yo in Canada and I’m currently in a massive career crisis. I feel like an absolute idiot every single day, my anxiety is through the roof, and I’m terrified I’m about to be fired. I think I fell into a classic "easy hiring process" trap, and I need some brutal honesty and advice on what to do next.

My Background vs. The New Job
For the past 5 years, I worked at an agency as an Assistant Marketing Manager ($55k CAD) specializing strictly in campaign execution for a major automotive client. My job was technical and operational—setting up campaigns and ensuring they launched on time. I specialize heavily in programmatic advertising (DV360, YouTube ads, programmatic guaranteed deals). Crucially: I have ZERO experience in marketing strategy, planning, or deep data reporting. At my old job, we had an entirely separate department that handled all client proposals and strategic planning.
Four weeks ago, I started a new job as a Marketing Manager ($70k CAD) after a recruiter reached out on LinkedIn. The interview process felt suspiciously easy—no real behavioral or strategic assessments, just a basic Excel test on pivot tables and standard marketing math.

The Reality of the New Role
I am drowning. I’ve been handed 3 major food clients and have to report to 3 separate Directors plus a main Client Managing Director. Here is what I am now solely responsible for:
1. Full Strategy & Planning: Creating PowerPoint marketing proposals from scratch to pitch tactics to clients (something I have never done).
2. Constant Client Communication: Endless back-and-forth emails.
3. Campaign Execution: The only part I actually know how to do.
4. Heavy Reporting: Creating and presenting monthly pacing and post-campaign performance PPT reports to clients. I can explain data in general terms, but I don't have the in-depth knowledge to handle tough client questions. I am constantly asked about context I simply don't have.

The Irony & The Red Flags
Here is the kicker: My biggest strength is programmatic advertising. But after talking to my new managers, I found out they refuse to do programmatic. They prefer hiring external advertising vendors because they think it's cheaper and offers "added value" like bonus impressions. So, the core skill they hired me for isn't even being used. Why am I even here?
On top of that, the onboarding was a disaster. I got a terrible handover from the person who left, there is zero support from management/colleagues, and the workload is unmanageable. I’m already working past 5 PM just to stay afloat.

The Toxic Workplace Confirmation
Last week, a colleague who was hired 6 months ago completely opened up to me. She confirmed my worst fears:

1. Upper management only cares about keeping clients happy; employee well-being is non-existent.
2. The workload is intentionally designed so you have to work overtime to meet deadlines.
   3. She has been working until 2 AM several nights a week since she started, just to survive. I've overheard other coworkers complaining about the same thing.
3. She is actively trying to escape.

Where I’m At Right Now
There is a massive disconnect between my qualifications and this job description. I feel like a fraud, but I also feel set up to fail. I actually emailed my old manager to see if I could get my $55k job back, but it has already been filled.
I’m in my 4th week of probation and considering my options. I live in Canada, so Employment Insurance (EI) is a factor:

Option 1: Resign immediately.
Pros: Mental health saved.
Cons: I won't qualify for EI and will have no income.

Option 2: Have an honest talk with my hiring manager. Tell them my background doesn't match the strategic needs of the role. Because it's a fast-paced agency, they likely won't train me and will terminate me.
Pros: If they terminate me, I will likely qualify for EI.
Cons: High stress, and a risk they might try a "mutual separation" which could screw up my EI.

Option 3: Quietly look for a lower-level role. Start aggressively applying for jobs similar to my old one (even at a lower salary) where my execution skills actually fit. Once I'm settled, I can slowly learn strategy the right way.

Option 4: Keep my head down and try to pass probation. Just try to survive, don't make waves, and job hunt once I'm past the 3-month mark.

Has anyone else been in a situation where they accidentally stepped into a role they weren't qualified for in a toxic environment? How do I handle this without destroying my finances or my mental health?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have been working in digital marketing specializing in programmatic advertising for the past 5 years for an automotive client at a marketing agency. I worked as a marketing coordinator for 2 years, then was promoted to Assistant Marketing Manager 3 years ago. I loved my job, & the best part about my job was it was permanently work from home! But I felt that I need to find something better as I wasn’t given a raise or a promotion after 2 years at my role as an assistant manager, the third year I kept fighting for a promotion even going above & beyond showing that I’m ready. But still no luck. I ended up giving up & decided to look for another job.

I recently got a new job at another marketing agency as a full on Marketing Manger. I have to go in the office 3 days a week & take a 1 hour train ride to go & come back from the office. At my new job, I’m responsible for all the planning, execution & the post campaign reporting. I am dealing with 3 food clients, with having one of the client composing of independently owned franchises. While the other 2 are big fast food brands. Each client consists of their own planners who will decide on a budget, tactics, & the audiences. I thought that will make my job easier as it saves me trouble from doing all the campaign planning.

Meeting with the planners they all had one thing to say. “The clients goal is to increase foot traffic in their stores. With my programmatic advertising background I was like that’s easy we can just implement location targeting so it’s only people close to store locations who get targeted. Majority of the campaigns are awareness based using primarily standard display & location based ads. which is fine.

What is strange, when I asked them if they have done anything in programmatic advertising, the planners specifically told me “they like to buy direct from publishers, it’s much easier”. Also, none of the team members have any access to programmatic platforms. At this stage, I felt that why did I get hired in the first place if the planners do not want to use Digital Programmatic Advertising.

During one of the campaign proposal meetings I made the proposal of using YouTube Shorts for vertical ads & to use Bumper 6s & 15s skippable on YouTube from couple of the mock ads which were created. To which the director & the planner are looking at me giving me that WTF! Impression. There was an awkward silence for about 10 seconds. The next question was, will this increase the foot traffic in stores. I told them with digital we can only calculate the behaviour of a persons online activity when they are seeing the ad. Unless they click on the ad & use the features from the clients website to commit to a in-person interaction, it will be difficult to calculate the in store foot traffic. One of my other coworkers, oh “We can contact this publisher & see if we can setup a programmatic advertising deal with them.” To which the Director & Planner replied yeah let’s do that. I got shot down.

I met up with other programmatic managers in our company & they all seem to tell me just do a programmatic deal or contact the publishers & see if they can run programmatic advertising on your behalf, it will save you soo much work.

Not sure if anyone has dealt with the same I’m feeling. I’m starting to feel like I may have made a mistake leaving my old job & getting an outside firm to do what I was trained to do for the past 5 years will devalue my skills & experience in the long run.

Am I overreacting into thinking that my team is clueless about running programmatic advertising in house? Truthfully, speaking a part of me wants to go back to my old job as I’m not seeing the potential of long term growth towards becoming a Senior Marketing Manager with in next 3 years.

So far here are my considerations:
- Ask my manager at my previous job to take me back & settle for a 15k lower salary. But I highly doubt she’ll take me back. But atleast I’ll get permanent work from home if she takes me back.
- Start looking for a new job in hopes I’ll find something where my skills are actually applied & there’s potential for growth towards becoming a senior marketing manager.
- Suck it up for 1 year, if things don’t get better then start looking

What are your thoughts, any one faced issues like this?

I have been working in digital programmatic advertising for the past 5 years on the campaign execution side for an automotive client. I worked as a marketing coordinator for 2 years, then was promoted to Assistant Marketing Manager 3 years ago. I was mainly involved in awareness campaigns & occasionally lower funnel campaigns using CRM lists. I also have somewhat experience on the planning side of things as to use what tactics to use, targeting audiences & so on. I loved my job, & the best part about my job was it was permanently work from home! But I felt that I need to find something better as I wasn’t given a raise or a promotion after 2 years at my role as an assistant manager, the third year I kept fighting for a promotion even going above & beyond showing that I’m ready. But still no luck. I ended up giving up & decided to look for another job.

I recently got a new job as a full on Marketing Manger role. I have to go in the office 3 days a week & take a 1 hour train ride to go & come back from the office. At my new job, I’m responsible for all the planning, execution & the post campaign reporting. I am dealing with 3 food clients, with having one of the client composing of independently owned franchises. While the other 2 are big fast food brands. Each client consists of their own planners who will decide on a budget, tactics, & the audiences. I thought that will make my job easier as it saves me trouble from doing all the planning.

Meeting with the planners they all had one thing to say. “The clients goal is to increase foot traffic in their stores. I was like that’s easy we can just implement location targeting so it’s only people close to store locations who get targeted. Majority of the campaigns are awareness based using primarily standard display & location based ads. which is fine.

What is strange, when I asked them if they have done anything in programmatic advertising, the planners specifically told me “they like to buy direct from publishers, it’s much easier”. Also, none of the team members have any access to programmatic platforms. At this stage, I felt that why did I get hired in the first place if the planners do not want to use Digital Programmatic Advertising.

During one of the campaign proposal meetings I made the proposal of using YouTube Shorts for vertical ads & to use Bumper 6s & 15s skippable on YouTube from couple of the mock ads which were created. To which the director & the planner are looking at me giving me that WTF! Impression. There was an awkward silence for about 10 seconds. The next question was, will this increase the foot traffic in stores. I told them with digital we an only calculate the digital metrics such as CTR, VCR, & VTR etc. Unless they have floodlights setup it’s will be difficult to calculate the in store foot traffic. One of my other coworkers, oh “We can contact this publisher & see if we can setup a programmatic deal with them.” To which the Director & Planner replied yeah let’s do that. I got shot down.

I met up with other programmatic managers in our company & they all seem to tell me just do a programmatic deal or contact the publishers & see if they can run programmatic advertising on your behalf, it will save you soo much work.

Not sure if anyone has dealt with the same I’m feeling. I’m starting to feel like I may have made a mistake leaving my old job & getting an outside firm to do what I was trained to do for the past 5 years will devalue my skills & experience in the long run.

Am I overreacting into thinking that my team is clueless about running programmatic advertising in house? Truthfully, speaking a part of me wants to go back to my old job as I’m not seeing the potential of long term growth towards becoming a Senior Marketing Manager with in next 3 years.

So far here are my considerations:
- Ask my manager at my previous job to take me back & settle for a 15k lower salary. But I highly doubt she’ll take me back. But atleast I’ll get permanent work from home if she takes me back.
- Start looking for a new job in hopes I’ll find something where my skills are actually applied & there’s potential for growth towards becoming a senior marketing manager.
- Suck it up for 1 year, if things don’t get better then start looking

What are your thoughts, any one faced issues like this?

I have been working in Programmatic advertising for the past 3 years on the campaign execution side as an Assistant Manager for an automotive client. The primary DSP I use on 90% of time is DV360. I also have experience in using other DSP’s such as Yahoo, Teads Ad Manager & Amazon. I was mainly involved in awareness campaigns & occasionally lower funnel campaigns using CRM lists. I also have somewhat experience on the planning side of things as to use what tactics to use, targeting audiences & so on.

I recently got a new job as a full on Programmatic Manger role. Meaning, I’m responsible for all the planning, execution & the post campaign reporting. I am dealing with 3 food clients, with having one of the client composing of independently owned franchises. While the other 2 are big fast food brands. Each client consists of their own planners who will decide on a budget, tactics, & the audiences. I thought that will make my job easier as it saves me trouble from doing all the planning.

Meeting with the planners they all had one thing to say. “The clients goal is to increase foot traffic in their stores. I was like that’s easy we can just implement FSA targeting so it’s only people close to store locations who get targeted. Majority of the campaigns are awareness based using primarily standard display & OOH ads. which is fine.

What is strange, when I asked them if they have done anything programmatic, the planners specifically told me “they like to buy direct from publishers, it’s much easier”. Also, none of the team members have any access to DSP’s.

During one of the campaign proposal meetings I made the proposal of using YouTube Shorts for vertical ads & to use Bumper 6s & 15s skippable on YouTube from couple of the mock ads which were created. To which the director & the planner are looking at me giving me that WTF! Impression. There was an awkward silence for about 10 seconds. The next question was, will this increase the foot traffic in stores. I told them with digital we an only calculate the digital metrics such as CTR, VCR, & VTR etc. Unless they have floodlights setup it’s will be difficult to calculate the in store foot traffic. One of my other coworkers, oh “We can contact this publisher & see if we can setup a programmatic deal with them.” To which the Director & Planner replied yeah let’s do that. I got shot down.

I met up with other programmatic managers & they all seem to tell me just do a PG deal or contact the publishers & see if they can run programmatic on your behalf, it will save you soo much work. Not sure if anyone has dealt with the same I’m feeling. I’m starting to feel like I may have made a mistake leaving my old job & doing everything programmatic guaranteed will devalue my skills & experience in the long run.

Am I overreacting into thinking that my team is clueless about running programmatic in house? Truthfully, speaking a part of me wants to go back to my old job as I’m not seeing the potential of long term growth towards becoming a Senior Programmtic Manager with in next 3 years.

What are your thoughts, any one faced issues like this?