Description
Louisville Public Media, a storied and dynamic public media company, seeks an experienced, creative, and entrepreneurial Sr. Director of Business Partnerships who is passionate about public media and helping Kentucky businesses grow.
The Sr. Director of Business Partnerships is a player-coach who drives revenue for LPM both personally — through their own book of business and active prospecting — and through the leadership of a talented sales team. This is a senior role for someone who thrives on closing big deals, mentoring others, and building the systems that allow a team to grow.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and serving on LPM's management team, you'll lead a sales team of three on a mission to connect businesses and organizations with public media audiences through broadcast on 89.3 WFPL, 91.9 WFPK, 90.5 WUOL, and the Kentucky Public Radio Network, as well as sponsorship of podcasts, websites, newsletters, and special programs and events.
You'll exercise creativity, strategic thinking, and strong leadership and communication skills daily as you present opportunities for businesses and organizations to market their products, services, and community initiatives.
As you establish relationships — and make existing partnerships your own — you'll lead by example, setting the strategy for team members to sustain and grow accounts, identify new business categories, and close new business.
This job is for you if you…
-Love public media and have a passion for its mission in this community;
-Enjoy seeking out meaningful relationships with local business leaders;
-Have a competitive streak and enjoy incentives based on personal and team performance;
-Are a leader who loves to coach a staff with varied experience to exponentially grow revenue;
-Like the idea of modernizing how a team sells, not just maintaining what's already there;
-Are an analytical thinker who uses quantitative and qualitative data to develop and create strategies.
-If this sounds like you, we should talk.
Requirements
What You’ll Do
This rare opportunity to lead Louisville Public Media's sales team is built for a strategic leader who wants to drive revenue for local media and LPM’s mission to serve our region.
Success in this role will be measured by your ability to:
-Carry your own book of business — closing major accounts, prospecting new ones, and demonstrating personal revenue performance alongside team performance.
-Express the unique value that public media offers in a competitive market.
-Set and execute the sales strategy for the department, and collaborate with leadership on monthly and annual revenue projections.
-Lead, coach, and mentor a traffic manager and team of three sellers — providing training, performance feedback, and clear accountability that helps each member meet their individual goals.
-Track team performance through regular reporting and metrics, and use that data to adapt strategy and recognize wins.
-Partner with the Deputy Director of Business Partnerships on underwriting email content, sales promotions, community outreach, and LinkedIn marketing — coordinated with broader LPM marketing plans.
-Modernize and standardize departmental processes — including CRM use, client tracking, and sales workflows — so the team can operate efficiently and at scale.
-Lead Nielsen-Scarborough use and translate market data into actionable insights for the team and clients.
-Ensure adherence to FCC guidelines and LPM policies in approving sales copy and orders.
-Conduct monthly reviews of aging reports and ensure accuracy in order processing.
-Build a pipeline of mission-driven talent ready to join the team should the need arise.
-Foster an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion that upholds the organization's values and strategic goals.
What We'll Do
-Compensate you at a range of $65,000 - $70,000 annual base salary plus uncapped commission earned on total team sales.
-Introduce you to a current book of clients as well as help you to prospect new business.
-Invest in your professional growth through individual direction and training.
-Keep you connected with our highly collaborative industry through conferences and professional associations.
-Provide you with an excellent benefits package that includes generous paid time off, health insurance, and 401(k).
-Invite you into a culture that is supportive, transparent, experimental, and accountable.
-Provide a flexible workplace environment where you'll divide your time between the office for meetings, team one-on-ones, and collaboration; and out in the community connecting with current and prospective partners.
Key Qualifications
We're looking for a creative media sales leader with the determination and vision to deliver outstanding results for Louisville Public Media and our sponsors. Driven by the shared mission of independent public media and community service, you'll help create sales strategies that deliver win-wins in the market as you inspire and mentor your team to excel.
Required Experience
-Track record cultivating and managing major accounts.
-Minimum of five years' experience leading a successful outside sales team through your strategy, coaching, and enthusiasm.
-Both a visionary and a tactician.
-A natural connector with a strong local and regional network in and around Louisville.
-Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
-Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
-Proficiency in G-Suite and/or Microsoft Office.
-Willingness to work occasional non-standard and weekend hours.
Preferred Qualifications
-Demonstrated success in growing sales personally and for a team responsible for more than $2,000,000 in annual revenue.
-Media sales experience.
-Local sales experience.
-Experience with Sharebuilders (or similar CRM) and Mailchimp is preferred.
Physical Requirements
-Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
-Must be able to travel locally as needed.
-Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time.
Is this you? Please send your resume, cover letter, and three references to resume@lpm.org.
Louisville Public Media is an equal-opportunity employer that actively seeks diversity in its workplace and offers an excellent benefits package. If this role excites you and you meet many but not all of the requirements, we encourage you to apply.
