Director of Sales

Director Of Sales

LaSalle Network has partnered with a global institution that has been around in the Chicagoland area for nearly 100 years, in their search for a Director of Sales. The Director of Sales is responsible for driving net-new revenue growth across exhibit space, sponsorships, and year-round advertising opportunities. This role requires a hands-on sales leader with a hunter mentality—someone who can personally generate new business while leading a team to exceed aggressive revenue targets. This individual will own pipeline development, outbound strategy, and high-value deal execution, while coaching a team of sellers to do the same. Success in this role comes from a strong ability to identify new opportunities, open doors, and close complex corporate partnerships. This position will require some travel for tradeshows and the like throughout the country and does require being onsite in Chicago in a hybrid schedule.
The Day To Day
Develop and execute a proactive outbound sales strategy focused on acquiring new exhibitors, sponsors, and corporate partners
Build and maintain a robust pipeline from the ground up, driving consistent prospecting activity across the team
Achieve and exceed revenue targets across exhibit sales, sponsorships, and advertising through net-new business and strategic upselling
Personally engage in high-value sales opportunities, from prospecting through negotiation and close
Identify new market segments and develop targeted outreach strategies including events, partnerships, and digital channels
Drive incremental revenue through bundled offerings including sponsorships, premium placements, and advertising packages
Build relationships with key decision-makers and position offerings as strategic business investments
Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and pricing dynamics to identify new growth opportunities
Partner with marketing to support lead generation and campaign effectiveness
Track, forecast, and report on pipeline health, sales activity, and revenue performance
What You Have
8+ years of B2B sales experience with a strong focus on new business development
Proven success selling corporate partnerships, sponsorships, exhibit space, or packaged solutions
Demonstrated ability to build pipeline, prospect outbound, and close high-value deals
Sales leadership experience with a track record of driving team performance and accountability
Experience in tradeshows, events, media, or association environments preferred
Strong consultative selling, negotiation, and executive-level communication skills
Data-driven mindset with experience using CRM tools and sales performance metrics
Key Details
Base salary of $125k-$135k depending on experience, plus eligibility for monthly commission.
You will also be eligible for medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as 401K!
Location: Chicago
Work Model: Hybrid