What are the responsibilities and job description for the GENERAL SALES MANAGER - WGGB position at Gray Television?
About Gray Television:
Gray Television is a leading media company that owns and operates high-quality stations in 113 television markets that collectively reach 36 percent of US television households.
We constantly strive for excellence. Through upgrading to the latest technology and seeking new ways to stay on top in our markets, we focus on training and development of the best and brightest employees in the business.
About WGGB:
Named 2021 Station of the Year by the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association, Western Mass News is a licensed television station in Springfield, Massachusetts, and serves the Pioneer Valley. The networks of Western Mass News include ABC 40, Fox 6 and CBS 3.
WGGB is located in Springfield, MA. We have Western Mass's most live programming, from the Oscars to all the major live sporting events. Gray TV has extensive resources from training to specialized business units to a number of production divisions creating original content for our TV stations. Gray TV is looking into the future, come look with us.
Job Summary/Description:
Western Mass News is looking for a highly qualified candidate with a proven track record of success to become our General Sales Manager. The ideal candidate has strong technical experience (transactional negotiations, pricing management & budgeting/forecasting), a passion for the power of digital advertising & developing new local direct revenue by integrating digital into all campaigns, & equally solid leadership, management, coaching & mentorship skills. The team is focused on growing new local direct revenue (broadcast & digital) with customized client-focused solutions & maximizing revenue from returning business (agency & direct). This is an opportunity for a strong leader to further strengthen our multi-platform sales team.
Duties/Responsibilities would include (but not be limited to):
- Work in collaboration with sales management to foster & promote a positive, successful culture.
- Passion for recruiting, coaching, training and developing multi-platform sellers.
- Manage a team of Account Executives (AE's), sales assistants, NSM & DSM.
- Guide and oversee the local sales teams' selling efforts to achieve/exceed revenue goals with agency and direct clients across all platforms.
- Maintain effective internal systems and processes to ensure development of new and existing accounts and to help keep AE's on track to achieve/exceed revenue goals.
- Cultivate & maintain excellent agency and direct relationships with existing & new clients.
- Strong understanding of marketing, promotions, sponsorships, community outreach programs & advertising with an emphasis on creating strategies that grow revenue & support local businesses.
- Work in partnership with the sales management team to forecast revenue, manage budgets, and execute strategic plans.
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Candidate must possess strong leadership, motivational and sales experience in addition to a proven track record of top performance.
- Exceptional skills in recruiting, coaching, and training sellers.
- A minimum of 3 years of experience in local broadcast sales management, strategic planning and a proven track record of leadership and sales success, including development of new local direct revenue & agency negotiations.
- Solid understanding of how television & digital products work together to create success for clients. Digital product knowledge to include full suite of solutions – OTT/CTV, streaming, targeted display & video, social media, email marketing, SEM/SEO, etc.
- Goal-oriented, driven & know how to motivate a local sales team to achieve their sales goals.
- Can multi-task & manage multiple projects, communicate across departments and ensure projects & campaigns are executed as proposed and sold.
- Strong organizational, written and presentation skills within a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to build and maintain positive customer relationships.
- Competitive, persuasive (ability to overcome objections), energetic and self-motivated traits.
- Proficient in key industry software platforms – Wide Orbit, WOMS, Matrix, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
- Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university preferred.
- Must have a valid driver's license, good driving record and auto insurance.
Qualified, interested applicants can go to https://gray.tv/careers#currentopenings, you may type in the job title, station call letters, or click on "apply now", upload your cover letter, resume, and references
(Current employees that are interested in this position can apply through the Gray-TV UltiPro employee portal)
WGGB-TV/Gray Television Group, Inc. is a drug-free company
Additional Info:
Gray Television provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Gray Television complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Gray Television expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Gray’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.
Gray Television encourages all new employees to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus virus prior to or by the first workday.
