All Dance. All The Time.
Dance Media is the #1 platform for the dance industry, delivering engaging content across digital, social, print, and event platforms to an audience of 16 million. With six multichannel brands, including Dance Magazine, Dance Spirit, Pointe, Dance Teacher, Dance Retailer News and The Dance Edit, our audience spans dance enthusiasts of all types. From students to professionals, teachers, choreographers, artistic directors, and studio owners, we serve the entire eco-system of dance.
Recently acquired by the same entrepreneurs who transformed Backstage from a legacy print publication into a profitable digital marketplace, Dance Media is embarking on an exciting new chapter. We’re investing in every aspect of the business: modernizing our technology, improving the infrastructure, and building a flat culture where good ideas win, initiative is rewarded, and talented people can make a real impact.
The Opportunity:
Dance Media is seeking a remote Manager, Ad Sales to join our team and help drive the next phase of revenue growth. You’ll be leading our sales team, including four Account Executives, a Commercial Coordinator, and two sales support resources. We’re a team of organized, kind, and collaborative professionals who care deeply about the dance community and the resources we provide to help it.
As our Manager, Ad Sales, you will oversee the full advertising sales cycle across Dance Media’s portfolio. You’ll prospect, pitch, close, and manage a $1M client portfolio across categories such as higher education, dance companies, dancewear brands, and other endemic partners. You will also supervise and mentor the sales team, leading meetings, setting goals, providing guidance, and helping your team close business and strengthen relationships with industry partners.
The Manager, Ad Sales will report to the President of Dance Media.
This is a remote U.S.-based position with approximately 20% travel to attend industry events and meet with clients. The salary range for this position is $85,000-95,000 base with on target earnings (OTE) of $125-$145K annually. We are open to qualified U.S.-based candidates.
How You’ll Make an Impact:
Own the full advertising sales cycle for a territory consisting of key endemic accounts within the dance industry
Prospect new business opportunities through competitive market research, strategic outreach, and industry networking
Develop compelling sales material including comprehensive media kit, individual sales sheets, promotional material, and customized value propositions
Pitch and close prospects via in-person or webinar meetings
Manage and grow accounts; educate, guide, and suggest relevant opportunities for cross promotion across other Dance properties
Confirm sold ads are received and placed by sales support and vendors; manage print ad placements with Sales Coordinator
Produce client-facing reports that evaluate campaign performance and support renewals or upsell opportunities
Guide and lead the Dance Media sales team
Run weekly sales meetings and set agendas aligned with product priorities and monthly revenue goals
Conduct weekly 1:1 meetings with each member of the sales team to strategize, develop pipelines, and close advertising and sponsorship deals
Participate in client meetings with sales team members to help strengthen their sales approach and close opportunities
Ensure sales reps meet required KPIs for in-person and virtual client meetings
Partner with leadership to achieve monthly and annual revenue targets across all Dance Media properties
Develop new digital products to capitalize on domain expertise and reach
Produce a weekly marketing email for clients and prospects highlighting opportunities across Dance Media brands
Ensure CRM records are consistently maintained with accurate sales, production, and billing contacts
Travel to meet mid-tier and top-tier clients both individually and in support of sales team
Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, editorial, social, and design teams to share client feedback and opportunities
Acquire deep knowledge of the dance community and current and emerging industry trends, and leverage that knowledge to sell digital, social, print, event, and custom media
Who You Are:
Media sales professional with 5+ years of experience in advertising or media sales
Knowledgeable about dance; you or a loved one have been invested in the dance community, or you have professional experience working within the dance industry
Proven experience with full-cycle sales; you’re comfortable hunting, closing, and growing a book of business
Demonstrated success in consistently meeting and/or exceeding sales goals
An encouraging, helpful, and experienced mentor and/or leader; the team trusts and respects you, and they look to you for guidance
Highly organized and efficient, you keep detailed records of client conversations and contact information, and plan your days to balance prospecting, account management, and leadership responsibilities
Versatile, flexible, and scrappy; you’re a self-motivated doer who relishes a good win
Collaborative partner who enjoys working with team members across departments to support business growth
Curious and creative, you’re always strategizing opportunities to better serve your clients and the business
Why Dance Media:
Work directly with pragmatic and collaborative executives from Backstage.com, BCG, Cast & Crew, etc. who value innovation and initiative
Access to cutting-edge tools and platforms across every department
Thrive in a flat structure where your voice is heard and respected
Be part of revitalizing an iconic brand with a storied history
Grow in any direction you choose — operations, product, development, or marketing. Dream big!
Maintain a fair work-life balance. We cherish time with our families (fur babies included!) and encourage you to do the same