National Account Executive

USA TODAY Co.•New York, NY

2d•Remote

About The Position

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions. About LocaliQ At LocaliQ, part of USA TODAY Co., we help businesses grow by bringing together advanced marketing technology, trusted audience reach, and the expertise to turn it into results. In this role, you’ll work at the intersection of digital marketing and one of the most trusted media networks in the country—helping businesses connect with customers across the full marketing funnel. You’ll partner with clients to understand their goals, build strategies that combine performance-driven digital solutions with the reach of the USA TODAY Network, and deliver measurable outcomes. This is an opportunity to be part of a team that doesn’t just sell products. We bring together the right mix of solutions to drive real business growth. About the Role The National Account Executive drives revenue growth with national brands and holding company agencies by selling USA TODAY’s trusted news brand, sports properties, branded content, and digital advertising solutions. This role focuses on driving new and incremental dollars from heavy growth categories such as CPG, Medical, Home Services, Multi-Location Retail and Education and their agencies, positioning USA TODAY as a premium, unduplicated media partner that delivers scale, innovation, and flexibility. In your first 90 days, you will ramp quickly into USA TODAY’s national portfolio and go-to-market model while building fluency across our news, sports, branded content, and digital solutions. You’ll proactively engage national brands and holding-company agencies to generate new-business opportunities, build and maintain a strong pipeline, and lead high-impact client conversations. You’ll work closely within a pod structure—a dedicated, cross-functional team that includes account management, strategy, and programmatic partners—to develop thoughtful, competitive solutions for clients. By the end of your first quarter, you’ll be managing a self-generated book of business end to end, owning discovery, proposal development, negotiation, and forecasting, with clear progress toward quarterly revenue goals.

Requirements

3+ years of proven B2B sales experience selling to national brands or national holding-company agencies, with comfort navigating complex, multi-stakeholder organizations.
Full-cycle, consultative sales expertise—from discovery and solution design through proposal development, negotiation, close, and accurate forecasting.
Strong new-business development and prospecting background, with a track record of building pipeline through outbound outreach, agency relationships, and industry events.
Media, advertising, and agency experience strongly preferred, with familiarity across digital advertising, branded content, sports sponsorships, and programmatic solutions.
Experience using CRM and sales tools, with disciplined pipeline management and timely follow-up.
Excellent verbal and presentation communication skills, business curiosity, and the ability to build credibility with clients and stakeholders.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity.
Valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance

Nice To Haves

Experienced national sellers who thrive in high-autonomy environments, partner effectively with large brands and agencies, and confidently drive new business with senior stakeholders.
Competitive, self-motivated, and energized by real-time results, with a proven track record of outperforming peers and advancing into higher-impact roles—and you’re driven to keep that momentum going.

Responsibilities

Build a strong new-business pipeline through outbound outreach, industry events, and agency/brand networking.
Maintain a healthy quarterly quota pipeline with accurate monthly forecasting and consistent Salesforce activity.
Manage the full sales cycle—from initial outreach and discovery through proposal development, negotiation, and close.
Collaborate with internal pod partners (account managers, strategists, and programmatic teams) to develop thoughtful, competitive proposals.
Lead high-impact, well-organized client meetings that strengthen relationships and uncover new opportunities.
Represent the full USA TODAY portfolio, including news, sports, branded content, display, video, and programmatic solutions.
Demonstrate strong communication skills and deliver clear, compelling proposals.