Sales Director, CommerceNext

CloserStill Media•New York, NY

About The Position

At CloserStill, we strive to deliver the best. We’re on a mission to be the most dynamic B2B events and communities business in every market we serve, bringing people together to learn, connect and grow. Operating across five regions, we power over 200 market-leading events, publications and brands across Business Technologies, Healthcare, Learning, HR & Education, and Future Transport & Infrastructure. But what truly sets us apart is our people. Our teams are diverse, driven, and united by a shared commitment to excellence. Rooted in our core values of ownership, empathy, teamwork, integrity, and determination, we empower every employee to grow, shape their own path and make a meaningful impact. Joining CloserStill means being part of something bigger - not just building events, but creating opportunities, connections, and lasting value for the communities we serve. CommerceNext, the community, event series and conference for retail, ecommerce and technology professionals, is hiring a Sales Director. We are seeking a seasoned sales leader to scale and optimize our event sales processes. This role is pivotal in ensuring both growth and retention of sponsorship revenue while driving sales efficiency, accountability, and team development. The ideal candidate brings strong experience in sales and revenue operations, a deep understanding of pipeline management, and proven success in developing and coaching sales teams. CommerceNext is part of CloserStillMedia, the largest global ecommerce events portfolio with presence in North America, Europe and Asia. This is an important role with tremendous growth opportunities as our business rapidly scales.

Requirements

5-7+ years of progressive sales leadership experience, ideally within events, media, retail, or SaaS.
Proven track record in both hunting and farming sales motions with measurable success in revenue growth and sponsor retention.
Strong background in revenue operations, pipeline management, forecasting, and budgeting.
Demonstrated ability to manage P&L and partner with Senior Leadership and Finance on business planning.
Excellent leadership, coaching, and talent development skills.
Expertise in CRM systems, sales tech stack, and analytics.
Strategic thinker with strong execution skills, able to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

Own and manage a sales territory—responsible for individual quota.
Partner with CRO and EVP on quota setting, commission structures, and sales targets.
Assist in the development and implementation of sales strategies to achieve revenue goals across sponsorship and partnerships.
Oversee pipeline health, sales pacing, and forecasting to ensure accurate and predictable revenue delivery.
Present insights, pacing updates, and forecasts to senior leadership.
Lead initiatives to improve data quality, governance, and visibility across all revenue systems
Identify and implement KPIs and metrics to monitor the health and efficiency of the revenue funnel across all stages.
Drive sales productivity by streamlining workflows, automating repetitive tasks, and providing tools and training to improve efficiency.
Balance farming (retention/upsell) and hunting (new business) at a 60/40 ratio, ensuring disciplined focus on both.
Expand the sponsor universe by identifying new markets, verticals, and prospect opportunities.
Drive retention strategies to improve sponsor renewal rates year-over-year.
Introduce new sponsorship formats, packages, and pricing strategies to maintain competitiveness.
Manage P&L, including budgeting, financial and sales reporting, expense control, and ROI analysis for sales investments.
Maintain a pulse on industry trends and competitor offerings to ensure sponsorship opportunities remain relevant, appealing, and competitive.
Keep a strong focus on sponsor satisfaction by monitoring NPS and other feedback, ensuring deliverables are met and partnerships deliver clear value.
Collaborate with sponsor marketing on campaigns and messaging tailored to target audiences.
Partner with event leadership to align sponsor opportunities with programming and attendee engagement.
Empower, motivate, and coach a team of mid-tier sales reps generating ~$1.4M each annually, establishing playbooks, performance metrics, and accountability frameworks.
Provide ongoing coaching in consultative selling, negotiation, and account growth strategies, while fostering a high-performance, collaborative, and growth-oriented culture.