Senior Director Of Sales And Partnerships

About Optimism

Optimism is an inbox-first publisher working to build a brighter web. We develop and operate brands that spark curiosity, spread positivity, and improve the lives of our readers. With an email-centric approach, our objective is to transform the inbox into a healthy alternative to social media feeds: a place where you can curate the news, information, and entertainment that you truly want.

We have brands across a variety of categories: Games, Wonder, and Travel, among others. We reach 3 million subscribers across our network, and serve more than 30 million web sessions each month. And we’re growing with each new brand that we launch.

About Senior Director, Sales & Partnerships

As Senior Director, Sales & Partnerships, you will lead our pursuit of revenue diversification by scaling direct sales with advertisers and agencies. You will also oversee our existing account management team, including one Account Director and one Account Coordinator.

You will develop a sales strategy to sell the most promising audience and brand segments across our network. With our internal design resources at your disposal, you will direct the development of a compelling media kit, rate card, and other necessary sales assets. You will also prospect for brand partnerships, either as a dedicated workflow or as a course of business in pursuing sales activities.

This role will primarily focus on increasing the sales volume of dedicated placements within newsletters, including full email newsletter takeovers, sponsored sections, and dedicated sends. Our goal is to shift revenue distribution within the inbox from primarily programmatic to primarily direct sponsorships across our portfolio of brands.

To carry out these accountabilities, you will partner closely with Optimism’s Chief Brand Officer and Chief Product Officer, and their teams. Over time, with success, you will be able to build out a sales team to carry out the scope of your departmental accountabilities.

Qualifications

• Ability to set up and utilize a CRM system for prospecting and pipeline management
• Ability to work cross-functionally with many other roles and stakeholders in the company
• Ability to synthesize data and help others make data-driven decisions
• A rolodex of clients that could buy ads/sponsorships across our suite of brands
• Strong organizational skills and high level of attention to detail
• 4-6 years of experience in digital publishing sales, sponsorships, or similar, ideally at leading brands
• Demonstrated capacity to prospect, qualify leads, and close deals.
• Strong interpersonal skills, proven negotiation skills, and a relentless drive to achieve results
• Excellent team management and coaching skills
• Experience selling email sponsorships for newsletters or a similar product
• Entrepreneurial spirit, and a hunger for learning and improvement

While this position may be remote, we prefer candidates who can work in Los Angeles, Denver, or New York City.

Our Commitment

We aim to provide equal opportunity for all. We are firm believers in the strength of diversity and aim to build teams of individuals that offer unique perspectives, come from different backgrounds, and challenge each other to be better every day!