Business Development Consultant in Harrogate

Are you a relationship‑driven sales professional looking for a role where your personality is as valuable as your sales figures? If so, we might have found your perfect next move. We're looking for a Media Sales Consultant to join our York team, selling display advertising and digital solutions into some of the region's most loved and respected titles - The York Press, Gazette and Herald, along with the Yorkshire Life & Living magazine. These aren't just publications - they're trusted, established brands with loyal audiences and genuine prestige. You'll be representing them with pride.

We're not just looking for someone who can hit a number. As important as commercial ability is, we're equally focused on finding the right fit for our team. We're a close‑knit, collaborative group, and we want someone who will genuinely add to the culture - someone who brings energy, positivity, and a natural warmth to everything they do.

The ideal candidate will be someone who finds conversation easy and relationships effortless - the kind of person who can walk into a room of strangers and leave with a handful of genuine connections. You'll thrive on interaction, whether that's a first cold call, a face‑to‑face client meeting, or a catch‑up with an account you've nurtured over months. Keeping conversations flowing and relationships alive is something that comes naturally to you – not something you have to work at.

This is a role where being well‑connected, people‑focused, and passionate about representing a premium brand is just as important as your ability to close. If you genuinely love people, love conversation, and want to sell something you're proud of - this is the role for you. You'll be working with business owners and decision makers face‑to‑face across the York area, offering a powerful mix of print display advertising and digital marketing solutions tailored to each client's goals. From prospecting and cold calling to closing deals and growing accounts, this is a role where your effort, energy, and personality directly shape your success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive new business across the York territory through proactive outbound activity, cold calling, and face‑to‑face meetings with local business owners and decision‑makers.
• Sell display advertising into the York Press, Gazette and Herald and the Yorkshire Life & Living magazine, alongside a suite of digital marketing solutions including paid social, digital display, and video.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of existing client accounts, identifying upsell opportunities and delivering ongoing value through strategic recommendations.
• Develop and maintain a healthy sales pipeline, using a consultative approach to guide prospects through the full sales cycle.
• Build genuine, long‑term client relationships – acting as a trusted partner and brand ambassador for some of Yorkshire's most prestigious media titles.
• Collaborate with internal editorial, marketing, and campaign teams to ensure seamless delivery and client satisfaction.
• Stay across industry trends, competitor activity, and the evolving LOCALiQ product suite to stay sharp and relevant.
• Consistently meet and exceed monthly revenue targets and KPIs.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise:

• A proven track record in B2B sales – you understand how to hold a commercial conversation with confidence and close with credibility.
• Experienced in outbound prospecting and cold calling – comfortable starting conversations from scratch and building momentum.
• Skilled at growing client accounts – you don't just maintain relationships, you deepen them and spot opportunities to add value.
• A natural communicator – warm, personable, and the kind of person who genuinely enjoys talking to people.
• Consultative by nature – you listen first, ask the right questions, and tailor your approach to each client's individual needs.
• Passionate about the brands you represent – someone who sees themselves as an ambassador for a premium, trusted product.
• An understanding of multimedia advertising – print and digital – is advantageous but not essential; attitude and aptitude matter most.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage a territory, pipeline, and client base effectively.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle suitable for business use.
• Based within or near York, and happy to work in a collaborative hybrid team environment.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary + uncapped commission.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off.
• Holiday buy scheme for extra flexibility.
• Structured career progression & ongoing training.
• Pension plan.
• Employee Helpline counselling and advice.
• Perks & discounts including: Gym membership, Cycle to Work scheme, Eye care, Retail discounts.
• Team building days & annual volunteer charity day.

Newsquest Media Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all community sections regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Our recruitment process will consist of various stages and activities. As part of our commitment to fairness to all applicants, we will take into account any adjustments that could help you.