Sales Director

Responsibilities

This is a temporary role running from September - November 2026 & March - April 2027

The Athletic is seeking an experienced Sales Director to help expand its Advertising business to be an industry leader. You will be a key member of our growing Brand Partnerships sales team responsible for driving ad revenue via client direct and agency relationships

In this role you will own the end to end sales process for new sourcing, developing, and partnering with new ad partners who want to get their brand in front of The Athletic’s audience across all platforms including web, mobile, audio, newsletters, and social media

Additionally, you will be responsible for maintaining and nurturing relationships with existing ad partners in order to drive renewals and support ongoing business

Serve as one of the Sales Directors, helping grow our overall brand advertiser sales revenue via client and agency relationship

Manage a book of business with ambitious individual and team quarterly and annual revenue targets

Identify new ad partners that have a brand/product that is a strong fit with our listener base, and manage the navigation to the appropriate decision maker for each partner

Drive advertising revenue across all of The Athletic’s key platforms and surfaces including web, mobile, audio, newsletters, and social media

Define strategies and guide the account management teams in replying to RFPs and client opportunities including program, content, and media plan guidance

Share partner insights and sales lessons across the team including new ad products and opportunities our clients are looking for

Represent The Athletic brand well

Benefits

Paid Time Off

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Parental Leave

401 (k)

Short & Long Term Disability

Free Subscription

Competitive Health Care

HSA & FSA

Commuter Benefits

Qualifications

A passion for the sales process and the advertising industry

Established agency and client direct relationships that you can leverage on day one

10+ years of digital ad sales experience, ideally with a blend of web/app, social media, and podcast sales experience

A track record for being motivated by and meeting ambitious targets

A self starter who is good at getting work done without someone looking over your shoulder

Demonstrated experience building on a foundation that is already in place but enjoy having the freedom and flexibility to make things better: better sales tools, better communication, better processes, etc

Ability to work independently as an experienced individual contributor and as a team leader

You are good at working independently but enjoy being part of a team

You are an excellent communicator over email, on the phone, and in person

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