Digital Sales Manager

Summary:
The Digital Sales Manager will drive digital revenue through effective leadership and management of the Digital and Business Development personnel for the San Diego Union-Tribune. The role will act as a Digital champion and work closely with senior leadership and sales reps to provide product expertise, sales packaging advice, and general sales support for all digital offerings. The DSM will also work closely with the Sr. Director of Advertising Sales to develop relevant sales strategies and solutions to assist with sales growth. Works independently and collaboratively to ensure business needs are achieved and provides issue resolution to internal and external partners.
What you will do:

• Driving digital advertising revenue: retain and increase current advertiser revenue, prospect new accounts, increase sales calls, increase the volume of RFP submissions, and ensure that all submissions are relevant to a client's needs
• Provide leadership for local sales in understanding and selling the collective San Diego Union-Tribune digital product suite
• Assist in enhancing the digital knowledge of all sales teams through sales calls and detailed explanations of new products and packages in an effort to increase YOY digital revenue
• Maintain and protect current digital revenue stream with an intense focus on pitching and growing new business opportunities
• Develop long-term strategic/consultative relationships in digital sales both within internal Sales teams, and externally with Clients
• Conduct Sales meetings - offer market research, competitive data, strategic ideas, and insights
• Focus on client feedback and customer needs by providing strategic proposals, sales ideas/concepts and successes with effective communication and negotiation
• Effectively interface with Sales, Creative Teams, Marketing and Ad Ops to communicate digital sales priorities and collaborate on solution-oriented campaigns that meet the needs of advertisers
• Communicates status of sales programs, publication results and accomplishments to the Director or other internal partners
• Trains, coaches and mentors employees; ensures subordinates support related initiatives in accordance with company personnel management policies
• In-depth knowledge of Digital status for team: sales pacing to goal through effective pipeline management, current pending or new business opportunities, salesperson training needs/overall Digital knowledge, overall activities, and general insight on wellness of the Sales team and campaign objectives

What you will bring:

• Candidates must have a deep understanding of advertising markets and the digital media industry; they must also have a proven track record of success in driving revenue through the development of strategic/ consultative relationships in digital sales
• Online advertising/ digital media sales experience with brand/ agency, direct advertisers and affiliates
• Bachelor's degree with 5+ years' sales experience and/or equivalent experience required
• Experience prospecting, pitching, and closing accounts
• Excellent organizational and customer service skills
• Welcomes new challenges, enjoys learning and can work effectively in a team environment
• Interest and passion in the digital space and understanding of digital business models
• Presentation and communication skills both written and verbal
• Programmatic, Search and Social campaign experience preferred
• Demonstrate self-direction and ability to work both autonomously and among peers
• Experience working in a deadline-oriented environment while maintaining attention to detail
• Ability to collaborate with and influence peers
• Creativity and problem solving skills
• Experience managing a sales team preferred

The annual salary range is $110,000 - 120,000. This position is eligible for incentive compensation (commission) and cell phone reimbursement. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, time in role, certifications, etc. This role is eligible for a bonus based on performance. In addition to your salary, MediaNews Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).
Who we are:
The San Diego Union-Tribune, a subsidiary of MediaNews Group, is San Diego's largest media company and its oldest business, dating back to the founding of the Union in 1868.
Today, Union-Tribune publications reach more than 96 percent of San Diego County households each week. The company portfolio includes its Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper, The San Diego Union-Tribune; the region's leading website, SanDiegoUnionTribune.com; weekly entertainment guide Night + Day; lifestyle magazine Pacific San Diego; The San Diego Union-Tribune en Español; and nine community newspapers: the La Jolla Light; Del Mar Times; Encinitas Advocate; Solana Beach Sun; Carmel Valley Times; Poway News Chieftain; Rancho Santa Fe Review; Ramona Sentinel and Rancho Bernardo News Journal.
Part of the mission of The San Diego Union-Tribune is to build a stronger, more inclusive San Diego, through our coverage and our community events. A diverse, inclusive, transparent workplace is instrumental in that effort. To better reflect and serve the community, the Union-Tribune is sharing the demographic data of its staff and management team and will track it over time to measure improvement.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
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