TEGNA Inc. helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than 100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news.
WLTX-TV Columbia, the TEGNA-owned CBS affiliate in Columbia, is seeking a competitive, coachable and results-driven Account Executive to develop new business and grow a portfolio of advertising clients. This is an opportunity to build a career in media sales while gaining experience across broadcast television, streaming, connected TV and digital advertising.
You’ll sell one of the strongest portfolios in the market, combining the reach and trust of WLTX-TV broadcast television with the targeting and growth of streaming. On the linear side, you’ll connect advertisers with the large, engaged local audiences that turn to Columbia’s trusted news and programming. On the streaming side, you’ll leverage Premion, TEGNA’s streaming and CTV advertising business, to reach cord-cutting audiences across a premium marketplace of 125+ OTT and connected-TV publishers. Together with digital video, display and content solutions, you’ll have a powerful cross-screen portfolio to help local businesses reach their customers and achieve their goals.
We provide the coaching, tools and support to help you build your skills and your business. You bring the drive to learn, compete and succeed.
Responsibilities
Develop new business. Build and maintain a strong pipeline through consistent prospecting. Research local businesses, identify key decision-makers and create opportunities across broadcast TV, Premion streaming/CTV and digital.
Manage the full sales process. Prospect, qualify, uncover client needs, present solutions, handle objections and close business while working toward established activity and revenue goals.
Sell consultatively. Learn each client’s business and marketing goals and recommend the right mix of broadcast television, Premion streaming/CTV and digital solutions to deliver measurable results.
Build compelling proposals. Develop data-informed presentations that demonstrate how broadcast reach and connected-TV targeting can work together to meet client objectives.
Grow client relationships. Build new accounts into long-term partnerships by delivering results, maintaining strong relationships and identifying opportunities for continued growth.
Manage your pipeline. Use CRM and prospecting tools to manage activity, maintain an accurate pipeline and keep opportunities moving. Partner with account, creative and product teams to deliver effective campaigns for clients.
Requirements
Competitive, self-motivated and goal-oriented with a genuine interest in building a career in sales.
Strong communication, presentation and relationship-building skills.
Coachable, curious and motivated to learn consultative media sales.
Strong organizational skills and follow-through, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Interest in broadcast television, streaming/CTV and digital advertising, with a willingness to learn and stay current on the evolving media landscape.
Sales, customer service, marketing or advertising experience preferred but not required. Internships, relevant coursework and transferable experience are welcome.
Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Comfort with Microsoft Office; familiarity with CRM or digital advertising tools is a plus.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally to meet with clients as needed.
Salary: Competitive base + commission
TEGNA offers comprehensive benefits designed to safeguard the physical, mental and financial health of our employees and their families. TEGNA offers two medical plan options for full and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, as well as access to dental and eye care coverage; fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance; disability and life insurance.
Our 401(k) program offers full, part-time and temporary employees the opportunity to contribute 1% - 80% of their pay on a pre-tax basis to TEGNA’s 401(k). Contributions made up to the first 4% of pay are eligible for a 100% match from the company and are 100% vested from day one.
Regardless of participation in TEGNA medical plans, ALL employees and their eligible family members receive nine free virtual doctor’s appointments with a physician through Teladoc, and 12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.
TEGNA offers a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit as well as nine paid holidays per year.
* Some jobs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and thus some or all of the benefits described herein may not apply. For example, some newsroom bargaining unit employees receive health and retirement benefits under plans administered by the union.
EEO statement:
TEGNA Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, hiring and developing individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to add to our collaborative culture. We value and consider applications from all qualified candidates without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, enrollment in college or vocational school, political affiliation, military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. TEGNA will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. If you are in need of an accommodation in order to submit your application, please email [email protected]
Recruiting Fraud Alert:
To all candidates: your personal information and online safety are important to us. Only TEGNA Recruiters or Hiring Managers will reach out to you regarding consideration of your application or background. Communications with TEGNA employees will either come from a TEGNA email address with a domain of tegna.com or one of our affiliate station domains.
Recruiters or Hiring Managers will never request payments, ask for financial account information or sensitive information such as social security numbers.
Skills Required
- Competitive, self-motivated, and goal-oriented
- Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
- Coachable, curious, and motivated to learn consultative media sales
- Strong organizational skills and follow-through; ability to manage multiple priorities
- Interest in broadcast television, streaming/CTV, and digital advertising
- Sales, customer service, marketing, or advertising experience
- Bachelor's degree
- Comfort with Microsoft Office
- Familiarity with CRM or digital advertising tools
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally to meet clients
TEGNA Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about TEGNA and has not been reviewed or approved by TEGNA.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision options are complemented by company-supported mental health care and telemedicine, with HSA-eligible plans available. Resources such as Spring Health and Teladoc extend accessible care to employees and families.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with dollar‑for‑dollar match on the first 4% and immediate vesting is offered broadly, including to part‑time and temporary staff. This structure provides straightforward access to retirement savings from day one.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave covers at least six weeks for all parents and 12 weeks at full pay for birth mothers. Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement and fertility benefits support multiple paths to family building.
TEGNA Insights
What We Do
As one of the most geographically diverse broadcasters in the U.S., TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA is the largest owner of top 4 network affiliates in the top 25 markets among independent station groups, reaching approximately 39 percent of all television households nationwide. TEGNA also owns leading multicast networks True Crime Network and Quest. TEGNA Marketing Solutions (TMS) offers innovative solutions to help businesses reach consumers across television, digital and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Premion, TEGNA’s OTT advertising service. Across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, TEGNA's stations have over 31 million social followers. In everything we do, we are driven by our strongly held values and our stated purpose to serve the greater good of our communities. TEGNA produces trusted, impactful and innovative content across platforms. We tell stories that matter, are an advocate for those in need and help bring positive change to our communities. Our award-winning journalists have been recognized with numerous national honors including Edward R. Murrow, Alfred I. duPont, George Foster Peabody, George Polk, Walter Cronkite and Emmy awards.
