Pitchfork

Sales Director

Pitchfork seeks an inspired individual with excellent management, sales, and marketing skills to manage and develop the sales operations of Pitchfork Media and Pitchfork.tv out of our Chicago office. In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing the site's day-to-day sales activities, establishing and maintaining agency and client relationships, and collaborating with Pitchfork's sales and business team to create strategies designed to grow existing business. Also included would be developing the means to support those strategies with research, market analysis, and other collateral. The ideal candidate should be a confident and polished manager, presenter, and writer—willing to take any task put in front of him or her.

You should be comfortable with work ranging from conducting cold calls to working with Pitchfork's sales staff and business partners to developing the direction of Pitchfork's sales operation. A commitment to developing a productive, effective sales environment while providing Pitchfork's clients with the best possible online advertising experience is required. This position will report to Pitchfork's Publisher/COO.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the Pitchfork sales operation on a day-to-day level, working collaboratively to drive revenue growth from both new and existing customers, while continually working to develop sales strategies.
• Oversee all advertising agency clients and delegate non-agency inquiries to appropriate aspects of our sales team.
• Respond to agency RFPs with the goal of developing long-term relationships with their clients, keeping with the independent focus of Pitchfork Media.
• Proactively call upon potential clients, either in person or over the phone, and be fully prepared with advanced research and thorough presentations designed to attract their business.
• Coordinate with Pitchfork's General Manager and the sales team to optimize the accounts payable process.
• Work with the business team to execute market research that will provide accurate collateral used in the development of the media kit and other company documentation.

Requirements: 

• Minimum 5-10 years of advertising sales experience, online environment strongly preferred, with proven track record of meeting and exceeding goals.
• Some managerial experience required with applied history of success.
• Track record of developing agency relationships that led to a solid client base.
• Ability to effectively communicate both quantitative and qualitative information to superiors, staff members, and clients.
• Business-minded, comfortable with metrics, site measurement data, ad serving options, and publisher ad serving platforms.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills.
• Understanding Pitchfork Media and Pitchfork.tv and the market that we exist within.

Details on Position:

• Competitive Salary
• Lucrative bonus and commission plan.
• Strong benefit package.
• Non-corporate work environment.
• Possibility for travel.
• Growing, exciting company.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, résumé, and any compensation requirements to Chris Kaskie - chrisk@pitchforkmedia.com. Attachments are allowed up to 750mb. Please, no phone calls.