At a Glance
- 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.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values creativity and independent thinking.
- 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.
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
Independent Media is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where creativity and innovation thrive. As a Social Media Manager, you will have the opportunity to engage with a diverse audience across multiple platforms while contributing to meaningful journalism and content creation. With a commitment to employee growth and development, Independent Media offers a dynamic environment that encourages collaboration and the exploration of new ideas, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals looking to make an impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Sales Manager
✨Get to Know Your E-commerce Community
Dive into specific e-commerce forums and groups on platforms like Reddit or Facebook. Engaging with these communities can open up opportunities and give you insights into what companies like The Independent are looking for when hiring for a Senior Sales Manager.
✨Showcase Your Skills with an Online Portfolio
In e-commerce, a strong online presence can set you apart. Create a portfolio that highlights any projects, case studies, or even personal ventures related to e-commerce. When you apply to The Independent for the Senior Sales Manager, a tangible demonstration of your skills could make a huge difference.
✨Attend E-commerce Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on e-commerce conferences and workshops in your area. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge, but networking with industry professionals could lead to job leads. Plus, if you're keen to work at The Independent as a Senior Sales Manager, rub shoulders with their representatives when possible!
✨Utilise Company Resources
Don’t forget to check out The Independent’s career page for any unique application processes or opportunities that might not be listed on job boards. Applying directly through their website might give your application a bit more visibility, especially for a Senior Sales Manager.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Sales Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your E-Commerce Savviness:When you're applying for an e-commerce role at The Independent, make sure your CV reflects your familiarity with online retail platforms, digital marketing, and user experience. Highlight any relevant tools and technologies you've used, like Shopify or Google Analytics, to demonstrate that you’re well-versed in the industry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just reiterate your CV; it’s your chance to showcase your passion for e-commerce and how it aligns with The Independent's goals. Mention specific projects or achievements that relate to the role, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where you can make a tangible impact.
Metrics Matter:In the world of e-commerce, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your past experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible—like the percentage of sales growth you contributed to or successful conversion rates from marketing campaigns. This will make your application stand out and show that you're results-driven.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t forget to customise your CV and cover letter for the specific position at The Independent. Use keywords from the job description, and address the unique challenges the company may face in the e-commerce space. A personalised application helps us see that you're not just applying everywhere but are genuinely interested in being part of our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Independent
✨Show Off Your E-commerce Know-How
In a sector like e-commerce, having a strong grasp of current trends and technologies is crucial. Let’s make sure you’ve brushed up on key platforms that The Independent uses—think about popular e-commerce software, digital marketing strategies, and how these affect consumer behaviour. Being able to discuss these intelligently can really set you apart.
✨Portfolio Power: Showcase Your Results
For a full-time e-commerce role, it’s key for us to present a portfolio that highlights your results rather than just your tasks. If you’ve worked on campaigns or projects, bring examples that showcase your contribution and the impact they made—use metrics if you can! This helps to illustrate your value in a real-world context.
✨Technical Questions: Prep for the Specifics
Get ready to tackle some technical questions related to e-commerce analytics, SEO tools, or website optimisation. Think about any past experiences where you utilised data to inform decisions or improve sales. Being prepared with specific examples will showcase not just your knowledge, but also your practical application of it, which we all know is crucial!
✨Engage in a Conversational Style
Full-time interviews can feel quite formal, but try to keep it conversational, especially if you click with your interviewers at The Independent. Share your thoughts and ideas about the future of e-commerce, and don’t shy away from engaging with their questions openly. The more genuine and relatable you are, the better connection you’ll create!
