Interactive Account Executive, Video, Audio, and Casual Gaming | Puzzle Verticals

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end sales cycle to achieve $5M in sponsorship revenue in the first year, doubling to $10M by year two.
• Identify, prospect, and cultivate relationships with key decision-makers across multiple verticals including Pharma, Financial Services, Automotive, Media, CPG, Technology & Telecom.
• Build a robust pipeline of brand partnerships, premium sponsorships, and custom advertising packages for the multimedia portfolio.
• Develop compelling sponsorship opportunities leveraging the scale of the multimedia portfolio in news, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle verticals.
• Collaborate with content teams to craft integrated programs for proactive pitches and RFP responses.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for brand partners, nurturing long-term relationships and maximizing recurring revenue streams.
• Conduct client-facing presentations, proposal development, and business reviews to demonstrate ROI.
• Manage complex sales cycles including presentations, negotiations, and contract closures.
• Stay ahead of digital advertising trends, sponsor needs, and industry developments, especially in digital video and social media.
• Develop data-driven analysis and recommendations for opportunities and feedback to internal teams.
• Maintain accurate records of deal progress, revenue forecasts, and pipeline health in CRM systems.
• Provide regular updates to senior leadership on sales progress and market insights.
• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Creative, and Operations teams to execute campaigns.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities with major advertisers.
• Provide guidance or mentorship to junior sales or account managers supporting partnership activations.

Requirements

• Proven sales track record with 2+ years in digital media sales, sponsorship sales, or partnership development, with a history of closing high-value, multimillion-dollar deals.
• Established network of brand and agency contacts across Pharma, Financial Services, Automotive, Media, CPG, Technology & Telecom.
• Ability to build custom sponsorship solutions, negotiate large contracts, and influence C-level decision-makers.
• Comfortable owning a $5M+ annual quota with the ambition to double revenue within two years.
• Familiarity with branded content, native advertising, sponsorship packages, and performance metrics such as CPM, CPA, and brand lift.
• Strong communication skills, including presentation and proposal development.
• Experience with CRM systems like Salesforce or HubSpot, with a data-oriented approach to pipeline management.
• Ability to collaborate with internal teams to craft solutions that align with audience engagement.
• Willingness to travel approximately 20-30% for client meetings and industry events.

Nice to Have

• Additional vertical experience beyond the listed industries.
• Experience in social media strategy and creating revenue streams from social series.
• Knowledge of the digital video ecosystem and influencer-style content-creator approaches.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in digital media sales, sponsorship sales, or partnership development.
• Established industry relationships across key verticals.
• Proven ability to negotiate large contracts and influence decision-makers.
• Experience with digital advertising metrics and native content.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Experience with CRM systems like Salesforce or HubSpot.

Benefits & Perks

• High-impact opportunity to lead major sponsorship deals for a brand reaching over 140 million monthly visitors.
• Competitive compensation with base salary plus aggressive commission/bonus structure.
• Role in evolving the new PLAY experience and shaping strategic partnerships.
• Supportive team culture with passionate colleagues in marketing, editorial, and product.
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.