Director of Sales and Partnerships

About Optimism

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

Our brands populate a variety of categories: Games, Wonder, and Travel, among others. This distributed approach helps us 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.

About Director Client Partnerships

The Director Client Partnerships will be responsible for overseeing the strategy and execution of all advertising sales efforts across our email and web publications. This includes bringing in new  relationships with key clients and advertising partners, and working cross-functionally with product, editorial and engineering teams to ensure the successful delivery of campaigns sold. The role requires a deep understanding of digital advertising, email and web best practices, and a strong ability to drive growth through strategic partnerships and innovative ad offerings.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

You will be accountable for…

• Client Acquisition and Growth
• Drive revenue by identifying and onboarding new clients across various industries and new verticals.
• Expand the company’s client portfolio by building strong relationships and consistently pursuing new business opportunities.
• Upper Funnel Sales Focus
• Move beyond transactional sales to build strong, consultative relationships with clients.
• Focus on branding and awareness campaigns to help clients achieve upper-funnel marketing goals.
• Develop and pitch solutions that emphasize reach, engagement, and long-term brand building.
• Create and execute a comprehensive sales strategy that aligns with company goals and revenue targets.
• Meet or exceed quarterly and annual sales goals through consistent pipeline management and sales efforts.
• Lead negotiation and closing of deals to ensure profitable and mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop and introduce innovative ad products and solutions tailored to client needs.
• Stay ahead of market trends and emerging technologies to recommend new offerings and advertising channels.
• Expand sales through broader offerings and integrated campaigns.
• Vertical Expansion and Client Expansion and Client Diversification 
• Lead efforts to break into and establish a presence in new industry verticals.
• Research and analyze market opportunities to prioritize verticals with high growth potential.
• Create tailored sales strategies and value propositions for various verticals and offerings.
• Expand revenue demand by diversifying the client base across multiple industries and client segments.
• Focus on securing long-term partnerships and increasing retention.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally. Work closely with the product, editorial, and operations teams to align offerings with market needs and client feedback.
• Act as a bridge between clients and internal teams to deliver seamless campaigns and solutions.
• Market Research and Reporting:Monitor industry trends, competitive offerings, and client behaviors to adapt sales strategies effectively.
• Provide regular sales updates, forecasts, and performance metrics to executive leadership.
• Identify gaps or opportunities in the current sales approach and product offerings

QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of experience in digital publishing sales with 5+ years leading a high performing sales team
• Experience selling. Demonstrated capacity to prospect and qualify lead and close deals, with strong focus on direct partnership with DTC brands and agencies
• Track record of exceeding sales goals in exceeding revenue targets and scaling high-performing sales team 
• Experience selling both email and web media properties, across a network of brands in various verticals and proven ability to build large integrated campaigns for clients.
• Bring an existing warm rolodex of relevant media buyers with key decision makers at both brands and agencies.
• Strong interpersonal skills, proven negotiation skills and a relentless drive to achieve results.
• Excellent team management and coaching skills.
• Ability to synthesize data and help others make data-driven decisions
• Strong organizational skills and high level of attention to detail.
• Be able to work cross functionally with many other roles and stakeholders in the company
• Entrepreneurial spirit, strategic thinker, strong desires to DRIVE revenue, ability to execute in an ever changing fast paced environment and a thirst for learning.

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

This role will pay between $135-165k base plus OTE, however, final compensation is subject to change based on experience.