Advertising Director / General Manager

Description:

JOB SUMMARY
Direct and manage the comprehensive day to day activity of the Alexandria Echo Press and the Shopper to ensure achievement of revenue goals and budget maintenance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
● Provide guidance to team members to ensure company goals and objectives are met.
● Work closely with the Vice President of Advertising and Vice President of Newspapers to align on strategy and sales opportunties, and to prepare the annual budgets in collaboration with corporate leadership.
● Direct, manage, and execute the oversight of advertising sales strategy in Alexandria.
● Represent the local brand internally and externally through engagement with civic groups, interaction with local business leaders, and representiation of the Alexandria Echo Press at community events.
● Participate on community boards and demonstrate the company’s commitment to the community and to strengthening long-term relationships.
● Represent the company as the community’s first point of contact to discuss critical community projects, initiatives, etc.
● Enhance advertising revenue generation by opening doors and creating relationships for sales team members.
● Support and collaborate on content opportunities with the FCC Executive Editor and the publication editor.
● Collaborate with the company’s circulation and audience development efforts to grow total print and digital audience.
● Oversee and supervise activity relating to print distribution single copy store locations
● Work in continuous collaboration with Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Circulation, and Commercial Printing as it relates to Alexandria.
● Provide observable local market intelligence to company wide leadership, and work to ensure that the local business is profitable and sustainable long term.
● Where applicable, identify ongoing continuous expense improvement measures and innovations to ensure maximum efficiency.
● Provide leadership and guidance for local employees to ensure the operations departments work to meet company expectations and deliver quality service and product to the community.
● Provide assistance with employee recruitment, hiring, training, staff development, and participate in succession planning for key leadership roles.
● Steward company culture through words and actions.
● Set tone for location, making sure employees are challenged, supported, understand expectations, and are held accountable.
● Stay abreast of industry trends and changes as they affect the company’s locations.
● Protect the brand from legal entanglements by ensuring all local, state, and federal employment laws are adhered to with collaboration with the Human Resources team.
● Direct, manage, and execute the oversight of advertising sales strategy for Alexandria.
● Manage a team of local sales representatives while working with the Vice President of Advertising Sales on company-wide sales initiatives.
● Coach and manage sales team members for continued success.
● Work with sales team members to ensure that advertising strategies are developed and revenue targets are attained.
● Create and maintain relationships with advertising partners. Sell direct advertising when applicable in coordination with the local sales team.
● Communicate with the business office in regards to revenue forecasting, payments, sales variances, etc.
● Review sales contracts, set sales goals, and promote all new sales initiatives.
● Talent acquisition, continued development, and supervision of new hire sales training program.
● Create and maintain an atmosphere of openness and positive communication.

QUALIFICATIONS
● Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field, plus six to ten years of related experience and/or training; a comparable combination would also be considered.
● Proven history of successful leadership: visionary, high energy, self-managing, effective communicator, fosters creativity and innovation, and manages complexity.
● Ability to identify talent, create and develop teams, and build trust and engagement.
● Capability to identify and capitalize on opportunities quickly; ability to maintain effective balance between strategic and tactical priorities; capacity to drive change and deal with ambiguity.
● Demonstrated ability to establish transparent, candid relationships while maintaining high standards of integrity; capability to present unvarnished truth in a constructive manner.
● Experience cultivating an active network of relationships, driving collaboration and alignment, relating well to key colleagues and connecting with all employees.
● Well-developed oral and written communications abilities.
● The highest ethical standards, integrity, and professionalism are assumed.
● Must possess a valid driver’s license and a driving record that is insurable by the company.
● Must carry an acceptable level of vehicle insurance as required by the company.

At Forum Communications Company, our legacy is deeply rooted in harnessing the power of communication to connect and inform people in the communities we serve. Since 1917, everything we do is driven by creating and sharing information, ideas and insights.

Today, we're a leading media and technology company that's home to a family of people whose passion and purpose is fueled by collaboration and innovation. We believe in supporting each other, working hard towards common goals and having fun.

Come for the perks: Excellent employee culture, competitive pay, 401(k), company-paid volunteer time, health and wellness initiatives for all employees. Additional perks for full-time positions include: comprehensive benefits package, generous paid time off, paid holidays and paid time off for birthday, paid parental and pregnancy disability leave for qualifying employees.

Stay for the people: Family-owned and operated since 1917, development and growth opportunities, inclusive, creative culture, safe working environment, employees of all ages and backgrounds, positive collaboration.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. FCC currently does not offer employer sponsorship.