GM- Category Lead, Advertising

Vodafone Idea Limited is an Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group partnership. It is India’s leading telecom service provider. The Company provides pan India Voice and Data services across 2G, 3G and 4G platform. With the large spectrum portfolio to support the growing demand for data and voice, the company is committed to deliver delightful customer experiences and contribute towards creating a truly ‘Digital India’ by enabling millions of citizens to connect and build a better tomorrow. The Company is developing infrastructure to introduce newer and smarter technologies, making both retail and enterprise customers future ready with innovative offerings, conveniently accessible through an ecosystem of digital channels as well as extensive on-ground presence. The Company is listed on National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India.

We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. At VIL, we know that diversity makes us stronger. We are committed to a collaborative, inclusive environment that encourages authenticity and fosters a sense of belonging. We strive for everyone to feel valued, connected and empowered to reach their potential and contribute their best.

VIL's goal is to build and maintain a workforce that is diverse in experience and background but uniform in reflecting our Values of Passion, Boldness, Trust, Speed and Digital. Consequently, our recruiting efforts are directed towards attracting and retaining best and brightest talents. Our endeavour is to be First Choice for prospective employees.

VIL ensures equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on race, colour, religion, creed, age, sex, sex stereotype, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, disability, marital and civil partnership/union status, pregnancy, veteran or military service status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

VIL is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversifying its workforce.

Context for the new role

Vodafone Idea’s network intelligence, consumer insights and digital touchpoints provide a unique opportunity to create intelligent audience and advertising solutions leveraging aggregated telco signals, AI-led insights and trusted consumer relationships. The role is expected to build and scale a privacy-led advertising business spanning audience mapping and intelligence, fraud reduction, campaign measurement, Telco and digital channel monetization and ecosystem data partnerships.

The role will drive monetization across telco and digital channels by overlaying intelligent audience cohorts and insights for brand and performance campaigns while ensuring strict compliance with DPDP and privacy frameworks.

Job purpose

Key Result Areas/Accountabilities

Key Performance Indicators

• Topline revenue and margin contribution from overall Ad monetization Revenues


• New partnership closures, and business management of existing partners.


• Availability and scale of Privacy-safe audience data for monetization


• AI led advertising solution enhancements


• Monetization of Telco, channels and Apps & Media Properties

Core Competencies, Knowledge, Experience

Requires In-depth understanding of:

• Ad Ecosystem: key players, revenue opportunity, stakeholders, tech used.


• Data Monetization: How data is monetized on digital in global and Indian markets. Deep understanding of programmatic and data management platform. Adaptation of data monetization from a telco perspective- type of data being monetized. Telco Regulation and Security guidelines of data monetization. Different business, pricing and distribution models of data monetization. Technical know-how on how data can be utilized for the external ecosystem. Sound Legal understanding of contracts and different clauses surrounding data security.


• App monetization: Understanding of Different Monetization models. Understanding of different mediation platform and tech. Understanding and experience of High yield ad networks.


• Brand and performance advertising: How Media is bought and sold on different platforms and marketplaces. Different buy and sell models. Dealing with agencies and brands.

Must have technical / professional experiences

• Domain experience in digital advertising, ad-tech or data monetization


• Strong understanding of advertising ecosystem and monetization models


• Experience in strategic partnerships and commercial negotiations


• Strong business ownership and P&L orientation


• Experience in AI/data/privacy-led monetization preferred


• MBA from premier institute

Vodafone Idea Limited (formerly Idea Cellular Limited)

An Aditya Birla Group & Vodafone partnership