Advertising Director

Advertising DirectorAre you ready to be the voice of Marin's business community? For 165 years, the Marin Independent Journal has been more than a newspaper—we are the cornerstone of our community. As a proud recipient of 19 California News Publishers Association awards this year alone, including the coveted General Excellence award, we don't just report the news; we define the conversation in the North Bay.We are looking for a visionary Advertising Director to guide our sales strategy. We are an organization that is bucking industry trends—posting a 75%+ growth in digital subscriptions over the last three years while maintaining a stable, loyal print base. We aren't just selling ad space; we are connecting the community with the businesses that sustain it. As our Advertising Director, you will bridge the gap between our storied legacy and our digital-first future. Reporting directly to the President and Publisher, you will be the primary architect of our advertising success, balancing the stewardship of our traditional print presence with an aggressive, innovative push into digital and social platforms. You will lead our inside and outside sales teams, mentor our representatives, and act as a strategic partner to our clients—from small, family-owned retailers to major regional institutions.Location Note: This role is based in San Rafael, CA. Candidate must be available to report to the office multiple times per week and attend meetings and community events throughout Marin County and the broader Bay Area.What you will do:Driving Revenue: Develop and execute sales strategies that capitalize on our 165-year reputation while aggressively scaling our digital portfolioBuilding the Team: Recruit, train, and inspire a high-performing sales organization. We need a mentor who knows how to cultivate talent and empower veteran staff to reach new heightsOperational Excellence: Modernize our sales pipeline, leveraging CRM insights to forecast growth and refine our approach based on real-time market dataCross-Platform Integration: Collaborate with marketing, production, and leadership across our network, including The Mercury News and the East Bay Times, to build integrated, multi-channel campaignsStrategic Market Presence: Represent the Marin IJ at client events, chambers of commerce, and business associations. You are the face of our commercial operationWhat you will bring:The Experience: You bring 5+ years of success in media or sales leadership, with at least 2 years specifically focused on digital advertising and emerging media trendsThe Mindset: You understand the unique business landscape of Marin and the North Bay. You have a proven track record of exceeding sales targets, not just meeting themThe Skills: You are a gifted communicator and presenter. You are tech-savvy, proficient in sales CRM/analytics, and able to negotiate complex contracts with easeThe Passion: You believe in the power of local news. You understand that when a local business thrives, the entire community benefits, and you are driven to make that happenBenefits and Compensation:The salary range is $85,000 - $100,000 + cell phone stipend, mileage reimbursement, and commission (OTE $110,000 - $140,000). Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to geographic location, education, work experience, time in role, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, the Company offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, 401k, as well as paid time off and select paid holidays (all benefits are based on eligibility).Who we are:The Marin Independent Journal, a subsidiary of MediaNews Group, provides comprehensive daily news coverage across Marin County. As the only daily newspaper, The Marin Independent Journal provides in-depth reporting from Novato, San Rafael and Marin City to West Marin County and more."4x Built In Best Places to Work Winner - 2023-2026"EEO Statement:We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.How To Apply:Please submit an online application along with your resume for this position hereClosing Date:Continuous recruitment until the position is filledConditions of Employment:A full pre-employment background check and MVR will be conducted as part of the selection process. Must be willing to submit and pass the necessary required checksMust possess and maintain a valid driver's license and have reliable transportationTravel – This position entails occasional driving for work assignments, in-person training sessions and/or meetings. The employee will be responsible for transporting themselves between different sites as neededMust be available for shift work. May be required to work various hours for coverage outside of normal business hours