National Sales Manager

Are you prepared to elevate your sales leadership against the backdrop of stunning mountain vistas and an active outdoor lifestyle? Look no further than WBIR, TEGNA’s powerhouse NBC affiliate nestled in the vibrant college football town of Knoxville, TN. We're on the hunt for our next visionary National Sales Manager to join our elite team.

Imagine waking up to breathtaking mountain scenery each day, fueling your passion for life while leading a talented sales team. At WBIR, our commitment to the community extends beyond business—it's about embodying our Straight from the Heart ideology in everything we do.

We're seeking an experienced sales leader who shares our unwavering dedication to integrity, sincerity, honesty, and compassion. If you're ready to make an impact ethically, drive revenue growth, and immerse yourself in a thriving culture, this opportunity is tailor-made for you.

Seize the chance to combine your professional expertise with an unparalleled lifestyle in one of the most picturesque regions of the country. Join WBIR in Knoxville, where you can make a difference with your team and community, every single day!

As the National Sales Manager, you will lead the national and political sales efforts for our NBC affiliate and digital assets. This includes managing our dedicated TEGNA Sales group and directly overseeing one Account Manager. Your responsibilities extend to driving sales of our digital suite of products, including the pioneering PREMION platform, to our regional and national client base.

Your key mandate will be developing and executing a sales strategy to stimulate demand. Collaborating closely with our Major Accounts and Local AE’s, you'll play a pivotal role in expanding and evolving our business by delivering tailored customer solutions across integrated platforms.

This position reports directly to the Director of Sales.

Responsibilities:

•   Own and manage all political and national advertising sales efforts including negotiations, transactions, and public files.
•   Attain or exceed assigned budget and achieve estimated market share goals for all billing types.
•   Develop incremental revenue opportunities within new and existing national advertisers as they relate to all platforms.
•   Work closely with Director of Sales and Local Sales Manager in pricing and managing inventory effectively for all WBIR accounts – local and national.
•   Act as marketing consultant to national accounts utilizing station marketing and merchandising materials in developing marketing plans, co-promotions and vendor programs.
•   Negotiate effectively and secure NTR/sponsorship/Enterprise opportunities.
•   Ensure the national sales team continually positions the audience for rate and share of business.
•   Respond to avails and/or assign accordingly and manage all Paid Programming avails and placement.
•   Track performance and monitor and approve all new, revised, and canceled National orders.
•   Oversee pre-logs, posts, pre-empts, make goods, and AR.
•   Travel to build and maintain successful relationships with buyers, planners, and clients.
•   Assist Director of Sales with special projects as assigned.

Requirements

•   Between 5-7 years of broadcast sales experience, account engagement and political pricing.
•   Proven track record of successfully achieving or exceeding national sales goals in the broadcast TV sales industry within fast-changing, dynamic environments.
•   Fluency in the rules and regulations surrounding political for candidates and issue advertisers.
•   Established leadership skills and elite sales and customer service skills
•   Strategic thinker and disciplined executor comfortable developing and making recommendations to senior management.
•   Proficiency with Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Wide Orbit Sales, Share Builders, Wide Orbit Traffic & Wide Orbit Analytics, ComScore, Matrix, Media Monitors, and qualitative data.
•   Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects effectively under deadline pressure.
•   Attention to detail and accuracy.
•   Ability to effectively solve problems.
•   Strong presenter and communicator with internal and external customers and partners.