Senior Strategy Client Lead - Parenting & Family Portfolio

About the role

IM Direct is an award-winning outbound sales team with big ambitions. Formed at the end of 2022, we sell cross-platform advertising solutions to SMEs incorporating both digital and print options. We target direct clients across many verticals including entertainment, parenting, food, gardening, motors, and travel. We speak to clients with budgets ranging from £5k - £80k. So far, we’ve had lots of success and are looking to expand our team to take full advantage of the opportunities in the parenting and family market.

Our sales approach is consultative and fast-paced. Our team values are built on collaboration, fun, and a real desire to succeed. This is a high-impact strategic management role at the heart of our Parenting & Family portfolio. You’ll be the driving force behind direct new business revenue growth, unlocking opportunities across both core parenting and exciting non-core sectors. We’re looking for a bold self-starter with a track record of turning ideas into results, someone who thrives on spotting untapped potential, shaping innovative solutions, and delivering products that will excite clients who want to reach our engaged family audiences across advertising and affiliates. This role blends strategic vision with hands-on execution. You’ll craft ambitious plans, build powerful partnerships, and lead from the front to go beyond revenue targets. If you’re ready to combine creativity, commercial acumen, and relentless drive, this is your chance to make a real impact.

As a Senior Strategy Client Lead you will:

• Develop and implement the sales strategy for the Parenting & Family portfolio for both IMDirect and affiliates.
• Analyse sector trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities to shape commercial initiatives.
• Lead strategic projects affected by rebrands, launches, and responses to legislative changes.
• Create a deep understanding, analysis, and continuous monitoring of competitor sets, their ad revenue, client base, and initiatives.
• Use audience data, analytics, and insights to inform sales strategy and client solutions.
• Work collaboratively with Client Team, commerce, Trading, ad ops, events, and Imagine to ensure client patches, product, and market developments are clearly understood.
• Be a champion for the MadeForMums brand by maintaining strong relationships with editorial and communicating strategies to the IMDirect team and wider advertising floor.
• Build and maintain a strong relationship with the Commerce Project Manager Lead to ensure you are across changes and opportunities within Fixed Fees and targets are being met.
• Take full ownership of delivering and exceeding revenue targets for the Parenting & Family portfolio across IMDirect and fixed fee.
• Actively identify and convert new business opportunities, particularly within the SME segment.
• Build and maintain relationships across advertising and affiliates with top clients, leading by example in external meetings and presentations.
• Ensure that all bookings, proposals, and contact reports are entered on Salesforce and that the team obtains confirmations at the time of booking.
• Develop, communicate, and implement annual commercial business plans.
• Ensure all sales collateral is up to date, relevant, and effective, updating regularly.
• Ensure your team maintains a minimum standard in call rates, new business wins, series bookings, digital conversions, and daily proposals.
• Coach and develop your team to ensure they have the tools and skills required for success whilst supporting and encouraging other IMDirect team members to consistently seek cross-selling opportunities into the Parenting & Family portfolio.
• Work alongside the Advertising Director, IMDirect to ensure the IMDirect team is motivated and the correct incentives are in place to encourage revenue and activity.
• Be accountable for IMDirect achieving budgets as set across the Parenting.
• Help write and implement the ad sales strategy for the Family and Parenting audiences, whilst looking for new ways to foster in-team collaboration.
• Negotiate the best possible rate for each piece of business, using discretion within the parameters set out by Advertising Director, IMDirect to maximize volumes and yields and CPMs.
• Keep regular contact with current, previous, and potential advertisers by producing a sales strategy by key vertical for top potential spenders in each category.
• Develop a comprehensive knowledge of IM Direct category verticals, including our competitors, market trends, and key client developments.
• Entertain clients (within hospitality budget guidelines) where this is advantageous to business.
• Prepare and present appropriate sales progress reports to the Advertising Director, IMDirect and Trading Directors and, where appropriate, the MD Advertising.
• Represent Immediate externally at industry events and exhibitions to connect with clients.
• Drive product innovation in collaboration with the wider ad department and editorial.

Benefits

• A relaxed working environment with regular socials including a summer festival.
• Supportive well-being initiatives and benefits, talks & workshops, and Mental Health First Aiders & Champions.
• 25 days holiday plus a day for your birthday.
• Our offices will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s which are in addition to your annual entitlement.
• Tailored training and development through both our in-house learning platform and LinkedIn Learning.
• A progressive and transparent culture focused on your development.
• Flexible/hybrid working plus early finish Fridays.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Enhanced Family Policies including paternity, adoption, and surrogacy leave.
• We also provide a pregnancy loss, fertility, and carers policy.
• Competitive pension plans and Life Assurance.
• A newly renovated modern office with lots of collaborative spaces.

Immediate is an equal opportunities employer. We’ll never treat anyone less favourably because of their sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marital/civil partnerships, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, or disability. We’re also committed to supporting applications from those who are returning to work following a career break, maternity leave, or caring responsibilities.