The VP of Advertising will be responsible for developing and executing key sales growth strategies, tactics and plans required to achieve financial targets and increase sales for the local Chicago Advertising Sales Team. This individual will be able to identify new business development opportunities by leading the team in account prospecting, account management, account acquisitions, needs assessments, proposal generation and contract negotiations. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate strong leadership skills to increase advertising revenue across media platforms, work independently and collaboratively to ensure customer needs are achieved by nurturing business relationships, and leading issue resolution reviews with both internal and external partners.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Sales Strategy Development and Communication

• Leads development, communication and implementation of sales strategies for the company
• Ability to understand trends and patterns in the business; drawing insights from data to drive changes in sales strategy and direction to achieve revenue results while implementing innovative action plans
• Implements targets, customer-centric initiatives that drive revenue growth by leveraging appropriate resources and partnering with key stakeholders
• Leverages CRM and other company tools to manage overall sales strategy including; building territory plans and managing opportunities
• Works with Directors and finance to develop budgets and manage financial results to meet or exceed revenue budget and expense objectives (including forecasting and reporting) while agreed upon levels of quality and service
• Portfolio rationalization – creation and elimination of products
• Builds and maintains strong, top to top customer relationships

Team Execution and Development

• Understands category-specific landscapes and trends, reporting on the forces that shift tactical budgets and strategic direction of accounts
• Ensures subordinates receive sales goals and strategies required to drive profitable revenue growth
• To provide professional climate and maintain a high level of morale and productivity among advertising employees; to provide advertising management succession plan.
• Collaborates with HR business partners to recruit sophisticated sales sellers focused on sales revenue growth
• Oversees people responsibilities for the sales function which includes the definition, design and implementation of an organizational structure that drives results, calculated risk-taking, teamwork, performance feedback, individual recognition, mutual respect and employee satisfaction ensuring quality hiring and training
• Trains, coaches and mentors people. Ensures subordinates support related initiatives for their employees in accordance with company personnel management policy
• Focus on personal development and involvement in the local community
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business with 10-15+ years sales experience and a minimum of 7+ years’ experience managing, building and developing a sales team
• Possess deep and broad business acumen with strong analytical, decision-making and problem solving skills while maintaining the ability to multi-task and balance multiple priorities
• Has deep knowledge of media and advertising industry, business cycles, key revenue and expense drivers
• Strong digital acumen and in depth knowledge of digital business models
• Ability to develop and implement strategic sales initiatives; includes ability to communicate effectively with prospective customers, existing customers and sales management and sales team members
• Possess extensive knowledge of sales principles and practices, and an ability to coach other on them
• Proven ability to drive the sales process from strategy to close
• Must possess excellent oral, written communication skills as well as strong negotiation, relationship-building and influencing skills including delivering effective presentations and leading meetings
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, creative and analytical
• Strong team building, group facilitation, process improvement, project management, and computer skills required.
• Experience utilizing CRM to manage direct reports performance
• Ability to become proficient in new technologies to efficiently manage business processes
• Requires a valid driver’s license; may travel approximately 60% of the time