SVP, Podcasting Sales

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One (WWO), the largest audio network in the U.S., is looking for a SVP, Podcasting Sales to lead advertising sales strategy development and execution for our rapidly growing podcast network.  The position is based at Westwood One’s offices in New York, reporting directly to the President of Westwood One.

In this role, you will be responsible for all aspects of monetization in Westwood One’s podcasting group. Our podcast network is the fastest organically growing podcast network in the country having more than doubled in the past year, with nearly 80 million downloads per month and aggressive growth expectations.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a unique balance of entrepreneurial agility, passion and performance combined with proven skills building and leading a successful sales organization.

Responsibilities:

• Create and execute monetization strategies that align with the rapidly evolving marketplace in advertising sales including direct to consumer, brand and digital advertising with a hybrid model of host read ads and dynamic ad insertion
• Take the lead in developing of the narrative and educating the market on the benefits of advertising on Westwood One podcasts to drive growth and profitable revenue packaging and presenting our assets for optimal results
• Work collaboratively with the podcast leadership team to provide demand side insights that inform decisions in content acquisition, content development, audience development, data and analytics and more
• Directly manage podcast sales managers in NY and LA
• Partner with WWO regional EVP’s to leverage the access and acumen of our general market audio sellers in NY, LA, Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas to drive podcast revenue
• Oversee digital ad operations including sales planning and account management to optimize performance
• Work with the Cumulus Radio Station Group to unlock network potential from the massive number of local podcasts across the portfolio
• Explore and develop additional revenue streams across audio on demand platforms including live podcast events, new regional network concepts
• Create and deliver weekly and monthly management reporting on appropriate KPIs including tracking and forecasting
• Manage sales call volume and presentation activity; Initiate, coordinate, and conduct top-notch formal verbal and written sales presentations
• Maintain and grow strong relationships with key decision makers across the industry, and represent WWOPN at industry conferences and events in an effective and high profile manner

Qualifications:

• Five to 10 years of digital ad sales leadership, effectively leading and motivating sales teams to achieve targets
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment combining sales leadership skills with a willingness to roll up your sleeves when necessary to deliver results
• Ability to develop cogent sales strategy and solid execution plan to achieve goals
• Ability to create and deliver compelling narratives with facile storytelling and the effective use of data and analytics
• Ability to operate in a matrixed organization and collaborate across functional teams to deliver results
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Strong relationships at agencies and brands, and working knowledge of accounts, planning teams and planning cycles
• Fluency leveraging data and analytics to drive strategy and results
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

What we offer:

• Competitive pay with performance based bonus structure
• Professional growth and career path
• Focused, responsible and collaborative work environment with the ability, to ask “what if” and try innovative solutions
• Recognition and reward for outstanding performance
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