Executive Director, Commercial Marketing & Guardian Labs

The Guardian is a global news organization that delivers fearless, independent journalism. From breaking news and award-winning investigations to in-depth coverage of technology, sports, film, culture, and lifestyle, the Guardian offers a global view that deepens our audiences' understanding of America and the world.

Headquartered in New York City, Guardian US is an entirely digital operation that seeks to engage US readers by combining the Guardian's international coverage with US voices and expertise. Core coverage areas include US politics, technology, the climate emergency, economic and racial inequality, health, sports, culture, and more. Guardian US launched in 2011 and has bureaus in New York, Washington DC, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. The Guardian is an independently owned, mission-driven organization funded by readers around the globe.

It's the talent, energy, and commitment our people bring to The Guardian that makes us who we are. Across our business, we have some of the most creative thinkers in media and beyond, award-winning journalists, cutting-edge commercial teams, digital talent, and more.

The Guardian delivers trusted journalism with depth, humanity and intelligence, giving audiences the whole picture across news, culture, sport, business, technology, sustainability and lifestyle. With no paywall and an independent ownership model, The Guardian offers advertisers a premium environment rooted in trust, influence and global perspective.

Department: Editorial

Reports to: Head of Marketing & Creative

Location: New York, NY

Hybrid/Remote/In-Person: Hybrid

Terms and conditions: Full-time, Permanent

Annual Salary: $190,000 - $200,000

Reporting to the Head of Marketing & Creative, the Executive Director, Commercial Marketing & Guardian Labs leads The Guardian US commercial marketing organization, driving integrated marketing, Guardian Labs, branded content and commercial events that accelerate revenue growth and strengthen client partnerships.

This role oversees the teams responsible for strategic proposals, creative development, branded content, events and campaign execution, translating advertiser objectives into differentiated, insight-led programs rooted in The Guardian's editorial authority and values.

Working closely with Sales, Account Management, Editorial, Product, Data & Insights and UK colleagues, this leader ensures commercial programs are strategically smart, creatively exceptional and operationally efficient—from pitch through execution and renewal—while building scalable processes, developing talent and delivering best-in-class advertiser experiences.
Key Responsibilities

Commercial Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Lead The Guardian US commercial marketing function, partnering with Sales to develop integrated solutions that drive revenue growth and long-term client relationships.
• Oversee strategic responses to RFPs, proactive opportunities, client presentations and commercial storytelling.
• Lead cross-functional brainstorms that translate advertiser objectives into differentiated, multi-platform programs rooted in audience insights and editorial strengths.
• Partner with Sales leadership on priority accounts, executive presentations and high-value revenue opportunities.
• Develop commercial playbooks, sponsorship packages, category materials, one-sheets and case studies that strengthen the sales organization.
• Ensure consistency, quality and strategic excellence across all commercial proposals.

Guardian Labs, Creative & Campaign Delivery

• Lead Guardian Labs' commercial creative strategy across pre-sale and post-sale initiatives.
• Oversee integrated campaigns spanning branded content, editorial sponsorships, digital, audio, video, newsletters, social, events and experiential programs.
• Partner with creative, editorial and strategy teams to develop breakthrough ideas that align advertiser objectives with The Guardian's voice and values.
• Guide campaigns from concept through execution, ensuring work is delivered on time, on budget and at the highest creative standard.
• Oversee production scopes, creative resources, freelancers and external partners.
• Partner with Account Management to optimize campaigns, identify renewal and upsell opportunities, and develop compelling case studies and wrap reports.

Commercial Events & Client Engagement

• Lead The Guardian US commercial events strategy, creating premium experiences that strengthen client relationships, showcase editorial strengths and drive commercial growth.
• Partner with Sales to identify event sponsorships, priority accounts and new business opportunities.
• Oversee end-to-end planning and execution of commercial events, ensuring exceptional attendee and client experiences with seamless cross-functional delivery.
• Develop scalable event playbooks, sponsorship packages and measurement frameworks that maximize business impact.
• Ensure strong pre- and post-event engagement, including audience development, lead generation, client follow-up and opportunities for renewals and incremental revenue.

Team Leadership & Operations

• Lead, coach and develop a multidisciplinary team across integrated marketing, Guardian Labs, branded content, events and commercial operations.
• Establish priorities, allocate resources and manage workloads across concurrent initiatives.
• Build scalable workflows and operational processes that improve collaboration, efficiency and creative quality.
• Foster strong partnerships across Sales, Account Management, Editorial, Product, Data & Insights, Communications and UK counterparts.
• Translate audience insights, campaign performance and market trends into stronger commercial recommendations and client solutions.
• Champion a culture of creativity, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of leadership experience in commercial marketing, integrated marketing, branded content, creative strategy and experiential marketing within a premium publisher, media company, agency or other.
• Proven success leading integrated marketing and creative teams that drive revenue growth, client retention and renewals.
• Deep experience developing strategic RFP responses, integrated sponsorships and executive-level client presentations.
• Strong understanding of branded content, editorial partnerships, live experiences and multi-platform marketing.
• Experience building scalable processes while maintaining creative excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor and develop high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Exceptional communication, storytelling and relationship-building skills.
• Highly collaborative, entrepreneurial and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience across categories including technology, B2B, sport, lifestyle, sustainability and culture.
• Global media experience is a plus.

How to apply

We know there are great candidates who might not check all these boxes or who possess important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, we encourage you to apply and tell us about yourself.

All candidates interested in applying should upload a resume and cover letter.  

All roles at the Guardian are open for everybody to apply. It is important to us that you feel supported and comfortable throughout your recruitment process, in order to perform your best. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Please email the recruiter listed on the job posting or at [email protected] to discuss further so we can work with you to support you through your application.
Compensation and benefits

• 20 days of vacation leave in addition to 12 company holidays and 2 personal days
• Unlimited sick time
• Employee Assistance Programs
• 401(k) Match
• Subsidized healthcare coverage including medical, vision, and dental
• Medical and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts
• Generous parental leave with 100% pay
• Long Term and Short Term Disability insurance 
• Life insurance 
• Commuter benefits 
• Work/Life balance: Flexible hybrid schedule 

Culture & wellbeing

We want everyone to feel like they belong at the Guardian and we champion diversity of thought. You will also have the opportunity to hear unique insight from our journalists in our morning conference, a live discussion on the news story of the day. 

We offer great tools to help you prioritize your wellbeing including access to Employee Assistance Programs. 

Learning & development

We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions, and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships.

Sustainability

Our goal is to become an environmentally regenerative company and we have signed up to a sustainability vision and strategy to reach it. Find more information about sustainability at GNM here.

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The Guardian is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, the Guardian will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.