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- Tasks: Drive revenue growth through affiliate partnerships and manage a dynamic sales team.
- Company: Join The Independent, a pioneering digital news publisher with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse workplace, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the fast-paced ecommerce sector while working with leading brands.
- Qualifications: Proven sales experience in digital media and strong relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values creativity and independent thinking.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Independent is an online news publisher that was established in 1986 as a national newspaper independent of party political affiliations or proprietorial influence. In 2016, The Independent became a fully digital publisher, moving away from print in pursuit of sustainability, and to safeguard its values and journalism for the future.
We are seeking a highly motivated and results-oriented Senior Sales Manager to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will be responsible for driving revenue growth by acquiring and managing affiliate and agency partnerships. Your primary focus will be on pitching and closing deals for sponsored content activations, affiliate campaigns, and other commercial opportunities across our suite of brands. In addition, you will line manage and coach a business development executive, who supports the sales team to achieve its goals. You will have a proven track record of exceeding sales targets and building strong client relationships within the affiliate and media industry.
The Ecommerce team is one of the fastest-growing in our company and is composed of Editorial, Audience and Commercial divisions. The latter, where this role sits, is made up of commercial specialists tasked with driving revenue growth through affiliate and ecommerce partnerships across our premium media brands: The Independent, The Standard, BuzzFeed UK and HuffPost UK.
Key responsibilities and accountabilities
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities: Proactively seek out and develop relationships with potential affiliate partners, agencies, and brands.
- Lead sales pitches and negotiations: Develop compelling presentations and proposals to showcase the value proposition of our commercial offerings.
- Manage client relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders at affiliate networks, agencies and client direct.
- Achieve and exceed sales targets: Consistently meet and exceed individual and team sales targets.
- Line management: Managing and developing the business development executive to ensure they hit their KPIs.
- Market research and analysis: Stay abreast of industry trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities in the affiliate and ecommerce space.
- Represent the company at industry events: Attend and participate in industry conferences, networking events, and trade shows.
- Collaborate with internal teams: Work closely with editorial, product, and marketing teams to ensure successful campaign execution.
Essential skills and experience
- Proven experience in advertising sales, with a strong focus on digital media and affiliate marketing.
- Track record of exceeding sales targets and managing a book of business.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
- Self-motivated, results-oriented, and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
Desirable
- Experience working with or for premium media brands.
- Knowledge of affiliate marketing platforms and tracking technologies.
- Experience with sponsored content creation and execution.
Our values - you will deliver across all our values: Inclusive, Innovative, Independent.
Senior Sales Manager employer: The Independent
Contact Detail:
The Independent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Sales Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. You never know who might help you land that Senior Sales Manager role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a killer pitch that highlights your achievements in sales and how you can drive revenue growth for The Independent. Tailor your presentation to showcase your understanding of affiliate marketing and digital media – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up! After any meeting or networking event, send a quick thank-you note or message. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great way to build those all-important relationships.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at The Independent. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Sales Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Sales Manager role. Highlight your experience in digital media and affiliate marketing, and don’t forget to showcase those impressive sales targets you've smashed!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for our team. Share specific examples of how you've driven revenue growth and built strong client relationships.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: We love data-driven decision-making! In your application, mention any tools or methods you’ve used to analyse market trends and optimise sales strategies. This will show us you’re not just about the numbers, but also about insights.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Independent
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into The Independent's history and its transition to digital publishing. Familiarise yourself with their eCommerce strategies and recent campaigns. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you tailor your responses to align with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Sales Success
Prepare specific examples of how you've exceeded sales targets in previous roles, especially in affiliate marketing or digital media. Use metrics to back up your claims, as numbers speak volumes in sales. Be ready to discuss how you built and maintained client relationships that led to successful partnerships.
✨Be Ready to Pitch
Since the role involves pitching and closing deals, practice a mock pitch for a hypothetical sponsored content activation. Highlight how you would approach potential clients and what unique value The Independent offers. This will demonstrate your readiness to take on the responsibilities of the role.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
The Independent values teamwork, so be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with different teams in the past. Share examples of how you worked with editorial, product, or marketing teams to achieve common goals. This will show that you can thrive in a collaborative environment.