Sr. Product Manager
The Sr. Product Manager will support and help drive digital revenue, and act as a Digital liaison for a designated region or category for the Chicago Tribune. As a member of the Advertising Department, the role will serve as a Digital leader and work closely with Sales Directors, Managers, and Sales Reps to provide product strategic expertise, sales packaging advice, and high level support for all digital offerings. The Sr. Product Manager will also identifying Digital advertising prospects, and work closely with the Sr Director of Sales to develop relevant sales strategies and solutions to assist with sales growth.
Responsibilities:- Assist Sales teams in driving digital advertising: retain and increase current advertiser revenue, increase sales calls, increase the volume of RFP submissions, and ensure that all submissions are relevant to a client’s needs
- Provide leadership for integrated local sales and sales managers in understanding and selling the collective Chicago Tribune digital product suite
- Assist in enhancing the digital knowledge of the non-digital sales team through sales calls and detailed explanations of new products and packages in an effort to increase YOY digital revenue
- Maintain and protect current digital revenue stream
- Identify and understand trends within Client Markets and Industries
- Develop long-term strategic/consultative relationships in digital sales both within internal Sales teams, and externally with Clients
- Participate in Sales meetings – offer market research, competitive data, strategic ideas, and insights
- Focus on client feedback and customer needs by providing strategic proposals, sales ideas/concepts and successes with effective communication and negotiation
- Effectively interface with Planners, Creative Teams, Marketing and Ad Ops to communicate digital sales priorities and collaborate on solution-oriented campaigns that meet the needs of advertisers
- Coordinate with relevant internal departments on all levels of campaign execution to aid in Communication with Sales and Clients (Marketing, Operations, Development, etc.)
- In-depth knowledge of Digital status for his/ her team:
- Sales pacing to goal
- Current pending or new business opportunities
- Salesperson training needs/ overall Digital knowledge
- Overall activities
- General insight on wellness of the Sales team and campaign objectives
Candidates must have a deep understanding of Advertising markets and the Digital industry. He/ She must also have a proven track record of success in driving revenue through the development of strategic/ consultative relationships in Digital sales.
- Bachelor’s Degree Required
- Online advertising/ digital media sales experience with brand/ agency, direct advertisers and affiliates preferred
- Ability to also excel in small business environment
- Experience managing a portfolio of client accounts
- Excellent organizational and customer service skills
- Welcomes new challenges, enjoys learning and can work effectively in a team environment
- Strong interest and passion in the digital space and understanding of digital business models
- Strong presentation and communication skills both written and verbal
- Demonstrate self-direction and ability to work both autonomously and among peers
- Experience working in a deadline-oriented environment while maintaining attention to detail
- Must be able to collaborate with and influence peers
- Practical knowledge of Microsoft Office products