Inside Sales Associate

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Detroit, MI, USA
In-Office
65K Annually
Other
The Role

Description

Automotive News, a growing and dynamic media brand owned by Crain Communications, is seeking an ambitious and motivated individual eager to kick-start their sales career. As an Inside Sales Associate, you'll primarily focus on selling tickets to our esteemed B2B conferences and award ceremonies. Additionally, you'll engage in direct outreach for other Automotive News advertising programs, including People and Company on the Move listings. This role serves as a foundational entry point into B2B sales with potential growth into advanced sales positions within Crain’s family of brands.​

This role follows a hybrid model, requiring on-site collaboration three days per week in our offices located in Eastern Market.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Outbound Sales Efforts: Proactively reach out to prospective attendees via phone, email, and other communication channels to promote and sell tickets for Automotive News events and entries for Automotive News award programs.
  • Client Relationship Management: Build and nurture relationships with key industry professionals, dealership groups, suppliers, and other potential event attendees to understand their needs and promote relevant event opportunities.​
  • Transactional Advertising Sales: Identify and approach businesses and individuals for participation in our People on the Move and Company on the Move listings and other advertising programs.​
  • CRM Management: Accurately document all sales activities, client interactions, and pipeline progress in the CRM system to ensure effective tracking and follow-up.​
  • Sales Strategy Collaboration: Work closely with the marketing and events teams to align sales strategies with promotional campaigns and event themes.​
  • Event Attendance: Represent Automotive News at events, assisting with on-site sales, client engagement, and ensuring a seamless experience for attendees.​
  • Cross-functional Support: Assist the global media sales team with outbound prospecting efforts as needed, contributing to broader sales initiatives; Support ticket sales for events and awards associated with other related Crain brands on an occasional basis, ensuring a unified sales approach across the organization.​

Qualifications:

  • Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree from an accredited institution.​
  • Sales Experience: 6 months to 1 year of experience in direct sales, preferably in roles involving cold calling or emailing. Experience from internships or positions such as inside sales representatives for sports teams or entry-level sales roles at companies like Quicken Loans is advantageous.​
  • Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage and persuade potential clients effectively.​
  • Motivation and Drive: A self-starter with a "hunter" mentality, eager to meet and exceed sales targets.​
  • Organizational Skills: Strong ability to manage time effectively, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and maintain attention to detail.​

Preferences:

  • Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with CRM systems and basic office software.​
  • Flexibility: Willingness to occasionally work non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, as required by event schedules.
  • Industry Knowledge: Some familiarity with the automotive industry or B2B events landscape, providing context for client interactions and sales strategies.​

Why Join Us:

  • Career Development: This role is designed as a stepping stone into more advanced sales positions within Crain's diverse brand portfolio.​
  • Industry Exposure: Gain hands-on experience in B2B sales within the automotive industry, interacting with leading professionals and organizations.​
  • Supportive Environment: Be part of a collaborative team that values innovation, dedication, and professional growth.

This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

Pay Transparency Disclosure:

The estimated salary plus commission for this position places on target earning at approximately $65,000.

The final salary offering will take into account a wide range of specific and relevant factors, including experience, accomplishments and location. The salary range provided should not be considered as a salary limit or cap. In addition to base salary, Crain also offers competitive benefits including retirement plan savings contributions and bonus opportunities based on individual and company performance.

#sales

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-LV1

#entry

#full-time

Brand Overview:

Since 1925, Automotive News has been the go-to place for all the news that is happening among automotive retailers, suppliers and manufacturers. Whether it is breaking news sent to a phone, digital editions and web products delivered to a desktop, or stories in the award-winning print edition, Automotive News covers the news everywhere it happens around the world. Breaking news, data, daily newscasts, webinars, conferences and events are just some of the offerings. AutomotiveNewsAutomotive News Europe and Automotive News China are created locally and are backed by a global team of 50 editors and reporters, as well as a commitment to journalistic excellence.

www.AutoNews.com

@Automotive_News

About Crain Communications: 

Crain Communications is a leading business news and information company with a portfolio of 24 media brands that provide indispensable coverage and data for professionals globally and across sectors, including advertising, automotive, finance, healthcare, staffing, and workforce solutions. Many of Crain’s brands are the most influential media properties in the industries and communities they serve, including Ad Age, Automotive News, Pensions & Investments, Modern Healthcare, Staffing Industry Analysts, as well as Crain’s regional business brands. For more than a century, our dedication to deep sector expertise and journalistic integrity has enabled us to provide trusted insights across all our platforms, empowering today’s business leaders to make industry-shaping decisions. To learn more about Crain Communications, visit crain.com.

Environmental Demands 

Where you work matters. The job posting will provide specific information on where and when your amazing work would be performed. Employee work location is determined by the needs of the specific team and may include on-site, hybrid or remote. Employee work location is subject to change.

  • An “in-office” role would require the employee to come into the office most days with occasional flexibility to work remotely if tasks can be performed elsewhere and if the manager approves.  
  • A “remote” role would allow an employee to work from a home office that is in one of the states Crain does business in. We can only employ a remote / "work from home" employee if they reside in one of these states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NY, NC, OH, OR, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, and Washington, DC.
  • A “hybrid” role would be a mix of in-office and remote work. There may be a specified schedule for coming into the office or it could be at the discretion of the employee with the manager’s approval, subject to change. 
  • Employees who live within a reasonable commute distance from a Crain office are expected to work on-site 3 days per week.

  

Many positions will also include work done in “the field.” Depending on the role, this may include conducting in-person interviews, attending work-related events, meeting with sources or clients. Specifics will be noted in the job posting but are subject to change as a role evolves. Employees may be exposed to adverse environmental conditions, specifically during field work. Other typical job functions are performed under conditions such as those found in general office work. 

 

Travel to cover news stories/events, meetings with clients, and to our geographically separated offices may be required. It is the nature of many positions to experience non-standard working hours and be on-call when needed for responding to email, meeting with clients, attending work-related events, story development or breaking news. Most employees perform work Monday through Friday, although early-morning, evening or weekend shifts may be required.  Work schedule and travel requirements are subject to change as a role and needs evolve over time.  

 

Physical Demands 
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of many Crain jobs and are subject to change. 

Physical activities will include frequent in-person or virtual interactions. For most positions, it is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods, perform computer-related tasks, and create/maintain documents within filing systems. Must have close visual acuity to perform an activity, such as preparing and analyzing reports and information, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, or extensive reading. The typical physical requirements are light work—exerting up to 25lbs of force occasionally and/or up to 10lbs of force frequently and may include climbing, pushing, standing, hearing, walking, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion. Some positions will have additional physical requirements, including exerting up to 50lbs of force to move and/or carry equipment, supplies, files, or other materials as the role requires.  

 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions and meet the environmental and physical demands of the role. 

 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities  The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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The Company
HQ: Detroit, Michigan
3,987 Employees
Year Founded: 1916

What We Do

Across 24 brands and 10 offices worldwide, Crain employees share a passion and purpose to deliver exceptional news products. Crain understands that our employees are our most valuable resource. That’s why we are committed to investing in top talent and providing the tools and resources they need to excel, not only in their projects, but in their career. We promote collaboration, innovation and a sense of fun all while working to make a difference in ways that are rewarding both personally and professionally. Our brands>> 360Dx Ad Age Automobilwoche Automotive News Automotive News Canada Automotive News Europe Crain Currency Crain's Chicago Business Crain's Cleveland Business Crain's Detroit Business Crain's Grand Rapids Business Crain's New York Business Creativity GenomeWeb Green Market Report Modern Healthcare Pensions & Investments Plastics News Precision Oncology News Rubber News Staffing Industry Analysts Sustainable Plastics Tire Business Urethanes Technology International

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