Title: Account Executive

Join The Alton Telegraph to help deliver impactful media campaigns for our customers, leveraging our rich history, extensive audience reach, best-in-class advertising solutions, and the power of cutting-edge AI tools!

Role Overview:  Hearst Newspapers is investing in its sales force, and we want you to be a part of it! We are looking for a digitally savvy, highly motivated Account Executive to join our advertising team at The Alton Telegraph. As an Account Executive, you will be responsible for developing and managing a sales pipeline and building new business relationships with local advertisers throughout the Alton area. You will work with your customers to promote compelling solutions that best fit their marketing needs. As an advocate for the customer within the Alton Telegraph, the role works in cooperation with other departments to ensure we can meet and exceed customer expectations both in performance and process. Hearst Newspapers operates on a hybrid work week schedule. 

Why The Alton Telegraph? 

Our people make the difference! Our diverse team is filled with passionate individuals who want to win. We offer an upbeat and collaborative working environment where challenging the norm is encouraged. With ample opportunities to learn new skills and advance within the organization, our team members are given the tools to learn and grow their careers.

Leverage Advanced AI for Maximum Efficiency and Earnings
Imagine having a personal assistant that never sleeps. Our state-of-the-art AI tools, including ChatGPT Enterprise and Gong.io, streamline your workflow, enabling you to close deals faster and manage your pipeline more effectively. 

This means more time to focus on what you love and a direct boost to your earnings potential.

Exclusive Partnership with OpenAI
Through our strategic content partnership with OpenAI and our exclusive ChatGPT Enterprise license, we have unparalleled access to the latest advancements in AI technology. 

This partnership provides us—and you—with a massive competitive edge in the market, ensuring you have the most powerful tools at your disposal to drive sales and exceed targets.

Personalized AI Tutors for Seamless Onboarding
Your success starts from day one. With our personalized AI tutors, every question you have, and every training need you encounter is met with instant, tailored support. 

These AI-driven mentors ensure you learn and sell as quickly and efficiently as possible, empowering you to hit the ground running and achieve your goals faster.

What will you do?

Drive Success with Innovative Tools: Utilize our AI-powered software to enhance every stage of the sales cycle, from prospecting and planning to presenting and closing deals. Lead Generation: Call on local small to medium sized businesses to show the value of our suite of digital media advertising products from social media, display, video, programmatic, SEO/SEM to traditional advertisements. You will generate new leads through cold calling, networking, and prospecting, as well as staying aware of any new businesses opening in the area. You will own the sales cycle and will have the support of your local account management team to aid in continued support after the sale! Execute sales tactics: Implementing marketing strategies, delivering effective sales presentations with passion to consistently earn, retain and increase revenue. Client Solutions: Recommend new products and promotional opportunities to current clients and handle objections efficiently. Be a large part of the local business community and boosting your clients’ businesses through multiple digital media channels. Forecasting: Manage client pipeline and monthly revenue forecast in Salesforce.com. Product Expertise: Become an expert on our digital and print products/services. The first three weeks of hire, you will be provided with both global and local training to be fully educated before even going out on your own! You will also have full support throughout your career which includes continual learning and training to grow and achieves success as an Account Executive.  Advertising Solutions: Create engaging advertising solutions to solve clients’ business needs.

What will it take to be successful?

Purposeful: You are direct and get things done quickly, with confidence, integrity, and determination. Adaptable: You react and adjust to changing conditions and come up with practical ideas to deal with them. Driven: You have self-assurance and competitive drive, delivering high-quality, organized, and repeatable results. Communicator: You are a lively and intelligent person with a stimulating influence on others. Trend-Savvy: you will keep informed of industry developments to ensure our digital advertising strategies remain cutting-edge and effective.

What we’re looking for:

Education: BA/BS degree in Advertising, Marketing, or Communications a plus or equivalent experience. Experience: 2+ years of business-to-business outside sales in advertising or media, with a proven success in new business acquisition and exceeding revenue goals. Skills: Superior presentation, interpersonal, and communication skills. Technically savvy with experience in Salesforce, Excel, and PowerPoint. Mindset: Goal-oriented, competitive, and forward-thinking with strong business and financial acumen.

What we offer:

Dynamic Environment: A great work environment where it's never boring. Comprehensive Training: Paid in-depth sales and product training. Competitive Compensation: Competitive base salary with uncapped commissions for unlimited earning potential. Collaborative Culture: Ideas and input are always welcome. Learn more about Hearst Newspapers at www.joinhnp.com

Our Benefits: At Hearst Newspapers we not only support our employees through personal and professional development, but we also believe in promoting each individual’s physical, financial and emotional wellbeing (and that of their family).  Our industry-leading benefits include:

Physical Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage to keep you and your family healthy. Invest for the Future: Competitive retirement plan with matching program in most markets. Generous Paid Time Off: Recharge with ample time off, including holidays and vacation. Paid Parental Leave: Support for growing families, with paid leave for new parents. Monthly Child & Dependent Care Reimbursement: Financial support for the care of your loved ones. Emotional Wellbeing: Be your best self with our mental wellness benefits. LGBTQ+ & Inclusive Health Services: Inclusive healthcare designed for every individual’s unique needs. Fertility Coverage & Menopause Support: Helping you along every step of your family journey. Pet Wellness Reimbursement & Rover Credits: We care about your pets, too – helping you keep them happy and healthy. And more, click here for additional benefits and details.

 

Join us at The Alton Telegraph and become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and customer success. Apply now to make an impact in the Alton advertising market!

In accordance with applicable law, Hearst is required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role if hired in Illinois.  The reasonable estimate, if hired in Illinois, is $32,500 base plus commission. Please note this information is specific to those hired in Illinois.  If this role is open to candidates outside of Illinois, the salary range would be aligned to that specific location.  A final decision on the successful candidate’s starting salary will be based on a number of permissible, non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to skills and experience, training, certifications, and education.

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP represents a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate. At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories–growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms–to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired. 

Be a part of something bigger–Your Headline Awaits

About the Telegraph

The Telegraph is passionate and committed to its role as the watchdog and trusted source of news, entertainment and advertising for the Alton community and the River Bend region of Madison, Jersey, Calhoun, Macoupin and Greene counties in Illinois.

Since its founding on January 17, 1836, The Telegraph has been the main news outlet for the region through its daily publication and now its print and online presence at thetelegraph.com.

The Telegraph strives to maintain a high standard of accuracy and integrity in its reporting and has received nearly 300 awards since 1997.

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