Sr. Director, Networks & Americas Media

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiasednews in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day.

The Associated Press is seeking a highly motivated and strategic media leader to join the Americas Revenue team in New York, NY.

The Americas Revenue team is responsible for managing, developing and innovating with some of the largest and most sophisticated media and technology companies in the world. Our customers and partners include networks, major media organizations, broadcast, audio, digital and print publications in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. Additionally, this team explores new strategic revenue opportunities with key partners across a range of industries and emerging markets, including technology, AI, financial services, non-profits and government organizations.

The successful candidate will be a success-driven, detail-oriented and innovative player-coach leader who will drive the retention and growth of our U.S. Network and national media business while leading a small team of account directors with that same goal. In this role, you will manage and optimize existing client relationships while also working to identify partnership opportunities in the defined territory. You will have direct oversight of key accounts and will own the full cycle from lead generation to developing business terms and negotiating agreements to close, and ongoing account management and engagement. You will also coach and ensure your team is well versed in the outlined strategic approach for retention and growth across their account base, creating alignment and consistency in approach across all U.S. Network and national media business. Meeting individual and team revenue goals and defined strategic milestones is imperative to success in the role.

This is a complex, cross-functional role, liaising with product, technology and editorial leaders to yield revenue gain and build durable, long-term collaborations for the AP. You will be confident and assertive in both external and internal meetings, will possess strong leadership and relationship-building skills, be consultative in your approach tohelp foster growth opportunities in traditional media, comfortable in a rapidly changing environment and take a proactive and strategic approach to business and partner development. You will have the ability to bridge short-term goals with longer-term strategy and will create a well-ordered framework of action, executing with pace. In this role, you will analyze a challenge with structured thinking, are comfortable with ambiguity and can adapt their approach to reconcile with evolving priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Meet and exceed assigned sales goals and strategic objectives through a consultative, creative business development approach and maintaining existing products and licenses; gather and understand complex partner needs, technology platforms, content and IP rights demands, issues and priorities.
• Identify and develop strategic recommendations on business and partnership models for content licensing, content creation and/or distribution on partner platforms, products and/or services, rooted in a mastery of media and industry trends.
• Coach and develop your team to align with identified strategic recommendations for your territory; provide feedback and support for individual and team success.
• Work with cross-functional stakeholders to define and launch complex strategic partner initiatives and partner licenses, identifying and utilizing appropriate internal resources to deliver against partner needs and priorities.
• Orchestrate broad, deeply connected relationships between major clients and the AP in all necessary and appropriate departments (i.e. editorial & technology), expanding and elevating AP's relationships within organizations to the executive/senior level.
• Assume ownership of prospecting, proposal creation and delivery, post-sales follow-up and ongoing account management, issue resolution, and partner satisfaction - oversight of the entire partner life cycle.
• Create and maintain accurate and thorough reporting on partner deals for regular review with C-level and other management.
• Provide ongoing reporting on partner activities and new business opportunities.

Qualifications:

• B.A. or B.S. degree or equivalent work experience.
• Seven (7) years of national media partnership or sales experience, including at least five (5) leading a B2B sales team in business development and partner management; news agency or U.S. network experience preferred.
• Proven experience initiating and driving revenue and business opportunities across complex and evolving partners while exceeding annual revenue targets
• Well versed in emerging technologies, platforms, programming and media technology along with a sharp, developed understanding of intellectual property principles and content licensing constructs.
• Exceptional professional communication skills, able to work with key stakeholders & senior leaders (internally and externally), using appropriate level of detail and style.
• Possess solid organizational skills, is self-motivated with high ethical standards and a strong commitment to service and sales. Both analytical and tactical sales skills with a solid business acumen is a must.
• Ability to work collaboratively, with influence, across multiple internal resources is important.
• Salesforce experience a must.
• Ability to travel, as needed.

Authorization to work in the U.S. will be mandatory. Advanced-level professional competency in written and spoken English is required.

Salary & Benefits: The anticipated salary range for this position is $145,000 - $176,000 - contingent on experience and other job-related factors. Employees are eligible to participate, according to the terms of the official plan documents, in a 401(k) plan, employer-sponsored health insurance plan, and are eligible for paid time off and holidays in accordance with AP policy.

The Associated Press offers comprehensive benefits which include:

* Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage

* Retirement benefits

* Company paid life insurance

* Paid vacation and sick days

* Paid parental leave for any new parent

* Mental health resources

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

Application deadline is March 5, 2025, 11:59pm EST.

AP seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a veteran, or other characteristic protected by law. We encourage members of historically underrepresented communities, including women and BIPOC, to apply.