Description
War on the Rocks, a Washington, DC-based media organization with an established and growing userbase and aggressive expansion plans is looking for a forward-leaning, independent, and personable individual to build its digital ad sales revenue stream. The primary responsibility of the Digital Ad Sales Director is to drive and grow new business revenue from advertisers and their agencies by aligning their marketing objectives with a niche and highly-engaged audience. This is a high-velocity, client-facing sales role requiring industry expertise, relationships and a proven ability for closing digital advertising deals.
The right candidate determined, creative, and resourceful and must enjoy working in an entrepreneurial environment. The position requires outstanding sales and communication skills to develop maintain advertising relationships, as well as assist in building the marketing message and communicating the value of War on the Rocks content and audience (or platform) to potential clients. This individual may either manage or be a part of a larger team as the company grows and hires new ad sales professionals.
Duties:
- Aggressively pitch new business – client direct and their digital agencies
- Identify new business opportunities and to implement creative sales strategies
- Understand the challenges that companies in various sectors face (defense, politics, alcohol, lifestyle) and demonstrate how the company’s products can help to solve them
- Actively engage in business development activities, including attending trade shows, sales meetings and workshops
- Develop necessary sales and marketing materials, such as: decks, presentations, promotional sheets and campaigns to help build brand awareness and drive revenue
- Prepare proposals and respond to RFP's
- Build a client database, or CRM system for all sales and marketing efforts
- Maintain pipeline of forecasted opportunities
- Meet or exceed defined sales quota
- Work with the company leadership and web developers on creating the best products for both the needs of the client and reader, guarantee expectations are exceeded and deliverables are met
- Stay current with online advertising trends and innovations
- Work closely with CEO and COO on company strategy
Required Skills and Experience:
- 4+ years of successful digital sales experience within defense, politics, alcohol, or lifestyle sectors
- Strong sales skills, relationship building and customer services skills
- Knowledge of banner advertising, mobile advertising, video advertising and dedicated email marketing, their creative units/executions and current competitive landscape
- Have strong relationships with key decision makers at the advertisers and their agencies in target markets
- Be self-motivated, with a competitive spirit, a strong work ethic, and the capacity to drive sales by working independently
- Working knowledge of ComScore, Quantcast and engagement metrics
- Ability to forecast projected revenue accurately
- Proven track record of achieving assigned quotas
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
- Excellent planning, organizational, and prioritization skills
- Fast learner with strong presentation skills
- Energetic, self-starter with strong work ethic and excellent track record of success required
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat.
- Works well within a team and individually.
- Management experience a plus.
- Ability and willingness to travel as required.
- BS/BA required, preferably in advertising, marketing, or business administration.
Compensation:
This is a demanding, fast-paced position with immense responsibility, far beyond a normal, 9 to 5 job. A great deal will be expected of you every day of the week. Only the highly motivated will thrive. Pay and benefits are competitive and the growth potential is tremendous.
Applicants should provide their resume, a cover letter, and writing samples. Do not write your cover letter into the message box below. Attach it as a document.
War on the Rocks is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
