Sales Manager

WBBM Television – CBS Chicago, CBSNewsChicago.com, the CBS O&O properties in the #3 DMA Chicago, Illinois are seeking a dynamic, positive minded, multifaceted, and motivated Sales leader!. Sales Manager primary role is to impact fully lead our local sales team and a nationwide sales team in their efforts to effectively sell our first-in-class linear broadcast and digital platforms in Chicago and across the 17 CBS O&O markets. We are looking for a strategic problem solver, team leader motivator with a “Can Do” spirit to embrace the ever changing and thought-provoking media landscape.

Our next Sales Manager should lead by example, who formulates short- and long-term strategies. We plan to break the traditional mold and ask this Sales Leader to also be a Selling Manager and carry a list as well as manage. The media industry continues to evolve and the days of expecting avails and RFPs are long gone. We are looking for someone to seek out new partnerships at the agency level and equally as important with corporate / client direct relationships at the CMO and CEO levels. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under the direction of the Director of Sales, the Sales Manager will co-manage the team to improve sales revenue. 
• Mentor and direct both local Account Executives and the National sales team’s efforts for the Chicago O&O properties.
• Empower, motivate, and hold Account Executives accountable to demonstrate a strong understanding of media assets and achieve monthly, quarterly, and annual revenue goals.
• Effectively guide sales team to meet, grow and exceed revenue goals for WBBM, CBSNewsChicago.com, EyeQ Local Digital Streaming including but not limited to Paramount+ and Pluto TV digital platforms.
• Continuous communication with CBS Sales Management, Account Executives, agencies, and clients.
• Provide market insight and strategy to help coordinate sales strategies thru pricing and inventory management.
• Grow existing and develop new revenue streams through leading the sales of local news, sports, special events, sales marketing, new business development and digital sales opportunities.
• Possess detailed knowledge of all products offered as well as market competition and maintain visibility in the national sales and buying community.
• Demonstrate leadership within the sales department and collaborate with other sales managers to help achieve station goals and objectives.
• Implement plans, strategies and other assigned duties set forth by sales management.
• Be an active ambassador and proponent for the Paramount pillars of inclusivity and positive work culture.
• Has excellent recruitment skills to attract and retain dedicated Account Executives.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of five years of broadcast sales experience at a major market television station or national rep firm with a track record of superior performance.
• Experience with recruiting, teaching, and training account executives along with a proven ability to motivate and help sales team grow.
• Motivational leader and “people builder” who emphasizes strong morale and spirit in their team resulting in a climate where people want to do their very best.
• Full knowledge and understanding of Nielsen and Comscore ratings analysis, effective inventory pricing, commercial traffic scheduling and research products such as Wide Orbit, STRATA, WRAP, Wide Orbit Connect, Kantar / Vivvix, Zoom Info, Media Proxy, Sales Force, Concur, Microsoft Office 365.
• Highly proficient in the digital and OTT space.
• Candidate must be creative and able to develop and implement new ideas to drive new business and possess successful record of negotiation with advertising agencies and client direct.
• Successful and proven new business sales track record. Established relationships that can bring new partners to our team.
• Ability to establish and maintain customer relationships and possess professional presentation skills with the ability to close a sale.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation & persuasive skills; ability to work with a range of personalities, excellent at forming, building, and sustaining relationships
• Professional and Collegiate Sports Sales experience PGA, Masters, NCAA College Basketball, March Madness NCAA College Basketball Tournament, College Football, Big Ten College Football, Big Ten College Football Championship, NFL Football, Regular Season and NFL Playoffs, AFC Championship, Super Bowl.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• College degree preferred.
• Media sales management experience in a Top 10 markets.
• Knowledge of political advertising rules and regulations preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to sit at a desk and operate a keyboard for an extended period.
• As a leader, expectations are to be in the office for the majority of the work week.
• Travel and/or drive to client meetings and/or presentations. Owns a vehicle preferred.
• Effectively communicate (In English) both verbally and in writing. Bilingual Spanish is also a positive benefit.

CBS News and Stations, brings together the power of CBS News, 28 owned television stations in 17 major U.S. markets, the CBS News Streaming Network, CBS News Streaming local platforms, local websites and cbsnews.com, under one umbrella. CBS News and Stations is home to the nation’s #1 news program 60 MINUTES, the CBS News Streaming Network, the first 24/7 digital streaming news network, the award-winning broadcasts CBS MORNINGS, CBS SATURDAY MORNING, the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH NORAH O’DONNELL, CBS SUNDAY MORNING, CBS WEEKEND EVENING NEWS, 48 HOURS and FACE THE NATION WITH MARGARET BRENNAN. CBS News and Stations provides news and information for the CBS Television Network,  CBSNews.com, CBS News Radio and podcasts, Paramount +, all digital platforms, and the CBS News Streaming Network, the premier 24/7 anchored streaming news service that is available free to everyone with access to the internet. The CBS News Streaming Network is the destination for breaking news, live events, original reporting and storytelling, and programs from CBS News and Stations’ top anchors and correspondents working locally, nationally and around the globe. CBS News’ streaming services, across national and local, amassed more than 1.01 billion streams in 2021. Launched in November 2014 as CBSN, the CBS News Streaming Network is available on 30 digital platforms and apps, as well as CBSNews.com and Paramount+. The service is available live in 91 countries. CBS News and Stations is dedicated to providing the highest quality journalism under standards it pioneered and continues to set in today’s digital age. CBS News earns more prestigious journalism awards than any other broadcast news division.  

Organizations that wish to receive job vacancy notices from this posting’s television station should contact sf_recruitingsupport@paramount.com.

Paramount is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet. 

At Paramount, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, on-screen and off. From the programming and movies we create to employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Paramount is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status. 

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