Join the Team as the Director of Sales at Christianity Today

The Director of Sales plays a pivotal role in guiding Christianity Today’s (CT) advertising sales initiatives, with a hands-on approach that emphasizes execution. You will be tasked with managing a significant portfolio while developing strategies that enhance CT’s advertiser base, increase sponsorship revenue, and establish integrated media partnerships across CT platforms.

Key Responsibilities

1. Drive Advertising Revenue Growth & Sales Process

• Sales Pipeline Management: Own a personal sales pipeline, focusing on prospecting, outreach, proposal development, and closing deals with key advertisers and sponsors.
• Hands-On Selling: Function as a quota-driven seller, securing new and renewal business across CT’s diverse media portfolio.
• Strategic Development: Lead the formation and implementation of a comprehensive sales strategy that aligns with CT’s mission and growth objectives.
• Outbound Sales Initiatives: Establish proactive outbound sales efforts to enhance CT’s advertiser and sponsor portfolio.
• Revenue Generation: Spearhead revenue growth in podcast/audio, digital media, and integrated sponsored content.
• Market Evaluation: Monitor emerging market trends, evaluating opportunities for new revenue offerings.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the Marketing, Product, and Editorial teams to devise monetization strategies that align with editorial needs.
• Sales Process Optimization: Develop simplified, repeatable sales processes to enhance clarity within the sales function.
• Performance Metrics: Implement KPIs to forecast revenue and monitor advertisement effectiveness while maintaining audience trust.
• Direct Sales Engagement: Actively participate in sales conversations and closures as the primary seller, ensuring theological sensitivity.

2. Sales Function Management

• Management Approach: Act as a player-coach, overseeing at least one salesperson and directly collaborating on deals and processes.
• Team Leadership: Mentor the Advertising team, fostering innovation, accountability, and ethical sales practices.
• Goal Setting: Establish team objectives, provide constructive feedback, and support professional development.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Represent advertising strategy in relevant project teams, ensuring strategic alignment.
• Partnership Development: Collaborate with Technology, Marketing, and Product teams to create monetization strategies that uphold audience trust and integrity.

3. Christian Marketplace Engagement & Ministry Stewardship

• Audience Understanding: Gain insight into unique Christian audience segments and their diverse needs.
• Advertising Solutions: Leverage existing opportunities and explore new advertiser categories.
• Content Review: Establish a thorough process for content oversight, ensuring messaging resonates with Christian audiences.
• Ministry Partnerships: Foster advertising relations as ministry partnerships that benefit the broader church community.

Qualifications

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or Communications.
• Experience: 5-8+ years in media sales, ad strategy, or growth marketing, with a strong personal sales track record.
• Leadership Experience: At least 2-3 years in managing or mentoring sales professionals in a player-coach capacity.
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with mission-driven organizations and a proven history of driving revenue growth.
• Digital Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of the digital media landscape, including programmatic advertising and CRM technology.
• Christian Marketplace Insight: Awareness of church dynamics and ministry needs.

Key Competencies

• Hands-On Execution: Ability to engage in prospecting, proposal creation, and deal closure personally.
• Sales Leadership: Capacity to set expectations, coach performance, and cultivate a results-oriented culture.
• Self-Drive: Motivated by goals and outcomes, with a focus on pipeline building.
• Strategic Thinking: Proficiency in balancing long-term vision with practical execution.
• Customer Empathy: Dedication to creating respectful and effective sponsorship experiences.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Skill in aligning goals across product, editorial, and revenue teams.

Employment Details

• Location: CT headquarters in Wheaton, Illinois (Remote work option available).
• Work Schedule: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week.
• Classification: Salaried, Exempt FLSA status.
• Benefits: CT offers a comprehensive benefits package—visit our careers page for details.

Apply Now

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