BUSINESS SUPPORT ASSOCIATE

University of Washington; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Business Support Associate to join their team. In this pivotal role, you will engage with sponsors, manage accounts, and contribute to the mission of fostering informed public dialogue. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational and communication skills and thrive in a collaborative environment. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a hybrid work schedule and generous benefits. If you are passionate about community engagement and possess a knack for relationship-building, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Generous Benefits

Professional Growth Opportunities

Work/Life Programs

Qualifications

• Requires strong organizational abilities and clear communication skills.
• Demonstrates business acumen and effective teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Solicits sponsorships to meet revenue goals and cultivates client relationships.
• Reviews and edits underwriting copy for compliance with FCC guidelines.

Skills

Organizational Skills

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Customer Service

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

If you are using a screen reader and experience any difficulty accessing our web pages, please call 206-543-2544 or email UWHires and we will be happy to assist you. jump to content

Job Location Detail: U District; open to hybrid work schedule (combination in-office + remote)

Posting Date: 04/29/2025

Closing Info: Closes On 05/20/2025

Other Compensation:

This position is eligible for incentive pay.

Shift: First Shift

Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio is Seattle’s NPR news station. We are an independent, nonprofit news organization producing award-winning journalism, podcasts and events in service to the 3.9 million people in our coverage area. As a self-sustaining service of the University of Washington, our mission is to create and serve a more informed public with a vision to broaden conversations and deepen understanding. We are committed to fostering a workplace of belonging, dismantling racial inequities, and amplifying underrepresented voices in our community.

We have an outstanding opportunity for a Business Support Associate.

The Business Support Associate position plays a vital role in the business support team. This position will have a portion of their time dedicated to solicitating and securing sponsorship contributions from businesses and organizations. Additionally, this position assists the account managers which includes back up coverage when they are out of the office, coordinating department activities, reviewing and editing on air sponsor copy for FCC compliance, and helping to maintain current contact information within Salesforce.

JOB SUCCESS SUMMARY

This role calls for strong organizational abilities, clear oral and written communication skills, and can demonstrate good judgement as well as business acumen, basic analytical and math skills. The ideal candidate demonstrates business acumen, basic analytical and math skills, and shows initiative. They are effective as a collaborative team member, comfortable working in a team environment and when working independently. They can prioritize and execute tasks in a client focused and deadline-oriented environment. They enjoy meeting new people and cultivating relationships and are comfortable reaching out to prospective sponsors. They will have individual annual revenue goals.

Success in this role also means upholding KUOW values and ensuring business practices are mission-aligned, transparent, and community-serving, as well as compliant with our organization guidelines and broadcast regulations.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Sponsorship Outreach and Service (30%)

• Solicits sponsors to achieve both individual and team business support revenue goals. Cultivates and nurtures positive relationships with clients and provides excellent customer service.
• Consults with clients to develop broadcast and digital proposals for business support/sponsorship.
• Discovers and interprets prospects’ business objectives, marketing and public relations goals, mission, values, and community relations activities.
• Analyzes and interprets qualitative and quantitative audience and market research data to present an appropriate match with station listeners.
• Meets with clients through video conferencing or phone calls to discover needs and present sponsorship packages to include pricing, terms and copy.
• Actively promotes business support for the station.
• Maintains up to date account records including current client contact info, outreach, correspondence, proposals, and closed business in Salesforce.
• Reviews account receivables report and works with the finance team to help secure any past due accounts.
• Acts as primary back-up account manager when staff is out of the office.
• Collaborates with other departments in support of KUOW’s mission and revenue goals. Participates in weekly team meetings as well as 1:1 meeting with the Director of Business Support to review progress to ensure annual individual and team goals are met.

Account Management Support (30%)

• Creates spot times reports and campaign summaries which may include audio files, web banners, and re-caps of schedules post logs.
• Oversees station trade accounts, including trade agreement creation, scheduling trade client schedules, developing trade client’s message copy and tracking and documenting trades.
• Coordinates department activities to include inviting clients to department hosted events, ticket offerings, holiday/end of year gifts.
• Works with director on sponsorship collaterals to include audience data and product offering updates for one sheets and media kit.
• Answers all incoming calls for business support, responds to listener and refers sponsor inquiries to director of business support.

Copy Review and Editing (25%)

• Review and edit underwriting copy for broadcast and digital channels.
• Utilize specialized knowledge and judgment to assure copy compliance with FCC and KUOW station-imposed rules and guidelines for nonprofit broadcasters.
• Attends trainings pertaining to FCC copy guidelines.

Database Management and Reporting (10%)

• Works with account managers to maintain accounts and contacts in Salesforce.
• Data entry for new accounts.
• Queries reports in Marketron, Salesforce or other databases to create reports for use by Business Support, Finance, Newsroom, or other station departments.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

• Assists with other underwriting sales and development activities.
• Attend and assist with station events.
• Collaborates with the Director of Business Support to develop departmental newsletters and coordinates the production and distribution with the Marketing team.
• Perform other duties, as assigned by the Director of Business Support.

SUPERVISION

• Position reports to the Director of Business Support

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and Ability

RACIAL EQUITY

Actively contribute to a workplace culture of anti-racism, belonging, and inclusion that is supportive and welcoming to all. Actively works to reach out to a diverse pool of sponsors.

SUCCESS PROFILE

Knowledge of:

• Familiar with Microsoft Office suite and CRMs, i.e. Salesforce.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including ability to write and edit standard business emails/letters, build schedule proposals, and craft underwriting credits that conform to FCC and station guidelines.
• Ability to conceive, design and produce reports.
• Ability to embrace and articulate KUOW’s mission to create and serve a more informed public.
• Possess general business acumen and understanding of marketing communications, and promotion strategy.

Ability to:

• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills and ability to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with clients and fellow team members.
• Ability to exercise initiative and judgment.
• Ability to articulate KUOW value proposition to potential sponsors.
• Ability to provide professional representation to the business community.


Requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree and two years professional work experience in business development, fundraising or marketing.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills and ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with clients and fellow team members.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Working Conditions:

• Duties may occasionally require evening and weekend work when necessary to meet critical deadlines.
• Cubicle/Open workspace environment which may result in additional or higher levels of noise and visual distractions.
• Position is suitable/eligible for Hybrid/Occasional Telework.

KUOW Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

At KUOW, we believe that attracting and retaining diverse staff is crucial to serving the communities where we work and live. We understand that diversity in lived experiences, perspectives, knowledge and ideas, strengthens journalism and our organization. We are dedicated to building a diverse and pluralistic staff committed to working in an anti-racist, multicultural environment that promotes racial equity and inclusivity. Women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), veterans and individuals with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

KUOW staff are employees of the University of Washington. The University of Washington and KUOW are committed to full and positive compliance with all applicable federal, state, and University of Washington laws and policies regarding discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [e-mail] .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law .