📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director of Sales and Partnerships
🔹 Company: Optimism
🔹 Location: United States (Remote)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Internet Publishing
🔹 Date Posted: April 18, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK (Preferred: Orange County, Denver, or New York City)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Overseeing advertising sales strategy and execution across email and web publications
- Acquiring new clients and expanding the company's client portfolio
- Collaborating cross-functionally with product, editorial, and engineering teams
- Developing and pitching innovative ad products and solutions tailored to client needs
- Expanding sales through broader offerings and integrated campaigns
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong interpersonal skills, and a proven track record in digital publishing sales to drive revenue growth and build successful partnerships.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Drive revenue growth by identifying and onboarding new clients across various industries and verticals
✅ Expand the company’s client portfolio by building strong relationships and consistently pursuing new business opportunities
✅ Focus on upper-funnel sales, emphasizing branding and awareness campaigns to help clients achieve long-term marketing goals
✅ Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy that aligns with company goals and revenue targets
✅ Lead negotiation and closing of deals to ensure profitable and mutually beneficial partnerships
✅ Collaborate with internal teams to deliver seamless campaigns and solutions
✅ Monitor industry trends, competitive offerings, and client behaviors to adapt sales strategies effectively
✅ Provide regular sales updates, forecasts, and performance metrics to executive leadership
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively with various internal teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 10+ years of experience in digital publishing sales, with 5+ years leading a high-performing sales team
Required Skills:
- Proven track record of exceeding sales goals and scaling high-performing sales teams
- Experience selling both email and web media properties across a network of brands in various verticals
- Strong interpersonal skills, negotiation skills, and a relentless drive to achieve results
- Excellent team management and coaching skills
- Ability to synthesize data and help others make data-driven decisions
- Strong organizational skills and high level of attention to detail
- Ability to work cross-functionally with many other roles and stakeholders in the company
- Entrepreneurial spirit, strategic thinker, and ability to execute in a fast-paced environment
Preferred Skills:
- Existing warm rolodex of relevant media buyers with key decision-makers at both brands and agencies
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong understanding of digital advertising, email and web best practices, and a passion for driving growth through strategic partnerships will be most successful in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $135,000 - $165,000 base plus OTE (On-Target Earnings)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Unlimited PTO (Paid Time Off)
- Home office stipend
- Professional development opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible hours and a remote-friendly work environment
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Director-level role in digital publishing sales. Final compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Internet Publishing, with a focus on email-first digital media brands
Company Size: 51-200 employees, offering a mid-sized company culture with opportunities for growth and impact
Founded: 2022, with a short but successful history of building and scaling digital media brands
Company Description:
- Optimism is an inbox-first digital media company with brands that reach millions of Americans every day
- Their portfolio consists of more than a dozen publications spanning various topics, united by a mission to build a brighter web
- Optimism's brands aim to be nourishing and uplifting to their readers, fostering engagement and loyalty
Company Specialties:
- Email publishing and digital publishing
- Building and scaling digital media brands
- Cross-functional collaboration and innovative ad solutions
Company Website: www.optimism.com
ASSUMPTION: Optimism's focus on email and digital publishing, along with its mission-driven approach, sets it apart in the industry and offers unique opportunities for growth and impact.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Director-level, reporting directly to the CEO or another executive leader
Reporting Structure: This role may have direct reports, including sales team members and/or sales managers
Work Arrangement: Remote OK, with a preference for candidates in Orange County, Denver, or New York City
Growth Opportunities:
- Expanding the sales team and mentoring new team members
- Growing into a VP or C-level role as the company expands
- Developing expertise in digital advertising, email marketing, and strategic partnerships
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential, both in terms of team expansion and career advancement within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote-friendly, with the option to work from one of the company's offices in Orange County, Denver, or New York City
Office Location(s): Orange County, California; Denver, Colorado; New York City, New York
Geographic Context:
- Optimism's remote-friendly work environment allows for flexibility and work-life balance
- The company's offices are located in vibrant, tech-friendly cities with strong digital media industries
- Each location offers unique cultural and recreational opportunities, contributing to a diverse and inclusive work environment
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and the ability to work remotely
ASSUMPTION: Optimism's remote-friendly work environment and office locations in thriving tech hubs contribute to a dynamic and engaging work experience.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-depth behavioral and skills-based interviews with cross-functional team members
- Final interview with the CEO or another executive leader
- Background check and reference checks
Key Assessment Areas:
- Sales skills and experience
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Optimism's mission
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant sales experience, strategic thinking, and cultural fit
- Prepare for behavioral and skills-based interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences and accomplishments
- Research Optimism's mission, values, and company culture to demonstrate your alignment and enthusiasm
ATS Keywords: Digital Advertising, Client Acquisition, Sales Strategy, Negotiation, Team Management, Market Research, Data Analysis, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Relationship Building, Consultative Selling, Revenue Growth, Email Marketing, Web Media, Campaign Management, Strategic Partnerships, Entrepreneurial Spirit
ASSUMPTION: Optimism's interview process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best fit for both the company and the individual.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Sales enablement tools (e.g., LinkedIn Sales Navigator, DiscoverOrg)
- Email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Campaign Monitor)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used in this role may vary, but candidates should be comfortable learning and utilizing new software as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Mission-driven: Optimism is committed to building a brighter web and positively impacting readers' lives
- Collaborative: Optimism fosters a culture of teamwork and cross-functional collaboration
- Innovative: Optimism encourages creativity, experimentation, and continuous learning
Work Style:
- Remote-friendly and flexible
- Data-driven and strategic
- Results-oriented and accountable
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you share Optimism's commitment to building a brighter web and positively impacting readers' lives?
- Are you comfortable working remotely and collaborating with team members in different time zones?
- Do you thrive in a data-driven, strategic environment and hold yourself accountable for results?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Optimism's mission, values, and work style will be most successful in this role and contribute to the company's continued growth and impact.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a remote sales team and ensuring consistent performance across different time zones
- Adapting to a fast-paced, ever-changing work environment
- Balancing the need for short-term sales results with long-term strategic growth
- Navigating the complexities of cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong leadership, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Director of Sales or VP of Sales in a digital publishing or media company, but with a stronger focus on strategic partnerships and integrated campaigns
- Unlike some other sales roles, this position requires a deep understanding of both email and web media properties, as well as the ability to develop innovative ad solutions
- Career paths for this role may include advancement to a VP or C-level position within the company or transition to a similar role at another digital media or publishing organization
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other sales positions, its unique focus on strategic partnerships and integrated campaigns sets it apart and offers opportunities for growth and innovation.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and pitching a comprehensive advertising strategy for a new client in the e-commerce vertical
- Collaborating with the editorial team to create a custom content series that drives engagement and brand awareness for a long-standing client
- Analyzing market trends and competitive offerings to identify new revenue opportunities and expand the company's client portfolio
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, collaborative, and data-driven nature of this role, as well as the opportunity to make a significant impact on the company's growth and success.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does Optimism support the growth and development of its sales team members?
- Can you describe the company's approach to cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management?
- How does Optimism measure and track the success of its advertising campaigns and sales strategies?
- What opportunities exist for career growth and advancement within the company?
- How does Optimism foster a positive and inclusive work environment, both in-person and remotely?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the company's culture, work environment, and commitment to employee growth and success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant sales experience, strategic thinking, and cultural fit
- Prepare for behavioral and skills-based interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences and accomplishments
- Research Optimism's mission, values, and company culture to demonstrate your alignment and enthusiasm
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
