Associate Director, Client Partnerships (Local Advocacy & Public Affairs)

Axios•Sacramento, CA

4d•Remote

About The Position

Axios is hiring an Associate Director, Client Partnerships to join its Public Affairs advertising team, focused on expanding state and local advocacy business. The role drives new revenue by building partnerships with advocacy organizations, political and public affairs agencies, trade associations, coalitions, and other policy-driven entities seeking to influence state and local communities. It expands Axios’ presence in the state and local advocacy advertising market through Axios Local and the company’s advertising, custom content, and event solutions. This is a high-energy, business development-focused role for an entrepreneurial candidate with a strong hunting mentality, a passion for Axios’ mission, and an understanding of state and local politics and advocacy advertising. The position reports to the Head of Public Affairs, Client Partnerships. It is remote-optional, involves travel to priority markets and industry events, and includes variable compensation tied to sales territory and achievement of predetermined sales targets. Team members are expected to develop AI literacy and use AI tools to enhance productivity, creativity, and efficiency.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in advertising sales, digital media, campaigns, political advertising, public affairs, or agency business development at the state level.
Existing relationships with state-level political and public affairs agencies, advocacy organizations, trade associations, or other entities investing in state and local issue campaigns.
Strong understanding of the state legislative landscape, ballot initiative campaigns, and state and local advocacy advertising.
Proven experience in outbound sales, new business development, and managing the full sales cycle.
Experience developing multi-market advertising campaigns or selling local and regional media.
Familiarity with digital advertising, media planning, audience targeting, and integrated marketing solutions.
Ability to identify business opportunities around legislative sessions, elections, ballot measures, and other policy-driven moments.
Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to work collaboratively across teams and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Willingness to travel to priority markets and attend relevant industry events.
Track record of successfully meeting or exceeding revenue targets.

Nice To Haves

Entrepreneurial spirit and a growth mindset.
Passion for Axios’ mission.

Responsibilities

Identify, prospect, and secure new advertising partnerships with organizations investing in state-level public affairs, issue advocacy, ballot initiatives, and legislative campaigns.
Develop and maintain relationships with political and public affairs agencies, trade associations, advocacy organizations, corporate government affairs teams, coalitions, and other stakeholders managing state and local advocacy budgets.
Identify priority markets, legislative calendars, ballot initiatives, and emerging policy issues that create opportunities for Axios advertising partnerships.
Develop strategic advertising programs with clients and agencies using Axios Local newsletters, digital advertising, custom content, and experiential opportunities.
Represent Axios at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to establish the company as a valuable partner for state and local advocacy campaigns.
Lead prospecting, discovery, proposals, negotiations, and closing, and develop long-term relationships that create repeat business.
Collaborate with Axios Local, integrated marketing, advertising operations, and other internal stakeholders to develop and execute client campaigns.
Build and maintain a sales pipeline, identify growth opportunities, and consistently achieve individual revenue targets.
Travel to priority markets and attend relevant industry events.

Benefits

401(k) with employer match.
Robust PPO and High Deductible health insurance options on the Blue Cross Blue Shield network.
Employer Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution for the high deductible health plan option.
Dental and vision coverage.
Primary caregiver 12-week paid leave.
Generous vacation policy, plus holidays.
One mental health day per quarter.
Annual learning and development stipend.
$100 monthly work-from-home stipend.
Tele-mental health services through Headspace.
OneMedical membership, including tele-health services.
Personal health advocacy resources through HealthAdvocate.
Inclusive fertility, hormonal health, and family-forming benefits through Carrot Fertility.
Access to the Axios Employee Support Fund for employees facing financial hardship or emergencies.
Increased work flexibility for parents and caretakers.
Virtual company-sponsored social events.
A strong and positive work environment.
A commitment to an open, inclusive, and diverse work culture.