Director of Sales

CDS Global•Austin, TX

About The Position

Hearst Newspapers is seeking a passionate and dynamic Director of Sales to lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing sales team driving revenue for Austin Monthly and Austin Home magazines across print, digital, social, branded content, and live experiences. This role is first and foremost a people leader—responsible for building a culture of accountability, performance, and continuous growth while empowering the team to deliver integrated, full-funnel marketing solutions that achieve measurable results for clients. The Director will coach and mentor sellers at all levels, actively developing talent, strengthening sales capabilities, and creating clear paths for individual and team success. Through strong leadership, hands-on coaching, and performance management, this role ensures consistent execution, pipeline health, and achievement of ambitious revenue goals. In addition to team leadership, this role oversees sales operations for the magazines, including forecasting, pipeline management, inventory optimization, and ad layout coordination, ensuring alignment between revenue strategy and execution. This leader will balance advertising demand with editorial integrity and production timelines to deliver a premium final product. The Director will also champion event sponsorships and experiential marketing programs, guiding the team in connecting brands with Austin’s most engaged audiences through signature events and custom activations. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, operational discipline, and a consultative sales mindset, with the ability to package holistic solutions across Hearst’s full suite of offerings. Why Hearst Newspapers? Our people make the difference. Our team is filled with passionate individuals who want to win. We offer an upbeat and collaborative environment where challenging the norm is encouraged, along with opportunities to grow and advance. Leverage Advanced AI for Maximum Efficiency and Earnings Our state-of-the-art AI tools, including ChatGPT Enterprise and Gong.io, streamline your workflow—helping you close deals faster and manage your pipeline more effectively. Exclusive Partnership with OpenAI Through our strategic partnership with OpenAI, we provide unparalleled access to the latest advancements in AI technology—giving you a competitive edge in the market. Personalized AI Tutors for Seamless Onboarding Our AI-driven mentors provide instant, tailored support so you can ramp quickly and succeed faster.

Requirements

Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams
Proven ability to build a culture of accountability and results
Expertise in integrated media, digital marketing, and experiential/event-based revenue
Strong understanding of sales operations, forecasting, and print production workflows, including ad layout and inventory management
Ability to balance strategic leadership with tactical execution
Data-driven decision making and analytical mindset
Exceptional communication and negotiation skills
Adaptability in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Collaborative approach across teams and stakeholders
Proven track record of exceeding revenue goals
BA/BS in Advertising, Marketing, Communications or equivalent experience
5+ years in media or advertising sales with success in integrated marketing solutions, event sponsorships, and/or print sales operations, including familiarity with magazine production cycles and ad layout processes
Highly motivated, competitive, and team-oriented with strong relationship-building skills
Strong presentation, communication, and technical skills (Salesforce, Excel, PowerPoint)

Responsibilities

Lead, inspire, and manage a high-performing advertising sales team focused on driving revenue across print, digital, social, branded content, and event sponsorships through integrated, client-focused solutions
Build a culture of accountability, urgency, and high performance, setting clear expectations and consistently raising the bar on results
Drive consistent achievement of sales goals through disciplined execution, clear KPI tracking, and proactive performance management
Actively coach team members on consultative selling, account growth, and closing strategies, helping them build and convert robust pipelines
Conduct regular 1:1s, pipeline reviews, and in-field coaching sessions to reinforce best practices, remove obstacles, and accelerate deal velocity
Develop employee growth to elevate performance and retention, identifying top talent and creating clear paths for advancement
Lead structured, high-impact sales meetings focused on strategy, accountability, skill development, and team motivation
Drive multi-platform revenue growth through team leadership, empowering sellers to package and sell across all channels
Own and scale event & experiential revenue, guiding the team in developing sponsorships and custom activation programs
Oversee sales operations, including forecasting, pipeline management, CRM discipline, and revenue pacing
Manage magazine ad inventory and layout, partnering with production and editorial teams to optimize pagination, maximize yield, and ensure on-time delivery
Set sales strategy and go-to-market direction, including new products, sponsorship packages, and revenue opportunities
Foster cross-functional collaboration across editorial, marketing, events, and production to deliver seamless client programs
Analyze performance and drive results using data and insights to continuously refine strategy and improve outcomes
Support key client relationships, helping the team secure and grow high-value partnerships within the Austin market