Local Advertising Account Executive

Local Advertising Account Executive

Chicago, IL

The big picture: Axios is a media company dedicated to delivering trustworthy, award-winning news in an audience-first format. We are building a new category of local revenue generation and are hiring Local Market Builders to help scale Axios Local across key markets.

This is not a traditional Account Executive role. This is a foundational, in-market revenue leader responsible for building Axios' local advertising business from the ground up.

Why it matters: The Local Market Builder is the face of Axios in their city or region—responsible for developing deep relationships with local business leaders and converting those relationships into long-term advertising partnerships.

This role is critical to unlocking hyperlocal revenue and proving a scalable model for Axios Local expansion.

Go deeper: Local Market Builders are highly entrepreneurial sellers focused on building a book of business through their existing network and local market presence. In this role, you will:

• Build and own a book of business from day one, leveraging existing relationships with local decision-makers
• Prospect, pitch, and close new local advertisers (restaurants, healthcare systems, law firms, real estate, financial services, dealerships, and more)
• Develop repeatable revenue streams through renewals and long-term partnerships
• Serve as the Axios brand ambassador in-market, attending events, building community presence, and collaborating with editorial teams
• Create and manage a high-volume pipeline of deals (typical deal size: $5K–$15K)
• Operate with a founder mindset—owning outcomes, testing approaches, and building momentum in-market

Yes, but: This is not a traditional AE role with inbound leads or established accounts.

• No house accounts or inherited book—you are expected to bring and build your own
• Heavy reliance on your existing network to accelerate early revenue
• In-market presence is essential—this is a relationship-driven role
• Higher deal volume, shorter cycles, and community-based selling
• Success is driven by reputation, trust, and consistency, not just pipeline coverage

Worthy of your time: Ideal candidates will embody a collaborative spirit, revenue mindset, and passion for the Axios mission. This position requires the following:

• 5–8+ years in sales, digital media, advertising, or related field
• Be deeply connected in your market and know how to turn relationships into revenue.
• Proven ability to build and monetize a book of business
• Demonstrated success in closing new business and generating revenue from personal network
• Strong relationships with local advertisers, agencies, or business leaders in your market

Core Traits

• Entrepreneurial and self-starting—comfortable building from zero
• Highly networked in your local market
• Strong hunter mentality with a bias toward action
• Comfortable with ambiguity and longer ramp periods
• Excellent communicator and relationship builder
• Deep curiosity about local businesses and community dynamics

What Success Looks Like

• Rapid activation of your existing network into revenue-generating clients
• Consistent pipeline of new local advertisers
• Strong renewal rates and repeat business
• Established presence as a trusted partner in your market

This role is designed for highly motivated, network-driven sellers who want significant upside tied to performance.

• Competitive base salary + strong variable commission structure
• Uncapped earnings potential tied to revenue generation
• Early ramp support (non-recoverable draw)
• Additional incentives for new logo acquisition and early market traction

This remote position offers a $60,000 annual base salary plus an uncapped commission structure with on-target earnings (OTE) up to $150,000+ designed to reward performance and significant upside potential for top performers. We will also provide a guaranteed additional $5,000 per month for the first 4 months of employment.

Axios is committed to embracing artificial intelligence as a core part of how we work. All team members are expected to actively develop AI literacy and use AI tools to enhance their productivity, creativity, and efficiency. We invest in ongoing learning to ensure every employee is equipped to responsibly and effectively integrate AI into their daily workflows.

What Axios brings to the table besides salary:

• 401(k) with employer match
• Robust PPO and High Deductible health insurance options on the Blue Cross Blue Shield network
• Employer Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution for the high deductible health plan option
• Dental and vision coverage
• Primary caregiver 12-week paid leave
• Birth-givers will have an additional 6-8 weeks, depending on type of delivery, for a total of 18-20 weeks continuous leave
• Generous vacation policy, plus holidays
• One mental health day per quarter
• Annual learning and development stipend
• $100 monthly work-from-home stipend
• Tele-mental health services through Headspace
• OneMedical membership, including tele-health services
• Personal health advocacy resources through HealthAdvocate
• Inclusive fertility, hormonal health and family forming benefits through Carrot Fertility
• Access to the Axios "Family Fund", which was created to allow employees to request financial support when facing financial hardship or emergencies
• Increased work flexibility for parents and caretakers
• Virtual company-sponsored social events
• A strong and positive work environment
• A commitment to an open, inclusive, and diverse work culture

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Axios is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Axios makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.