Senior Director, Brand Partnerships

The Independent; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

The Independent seeks an entrepreneurial digital media sales leader in New York, hybrid work option. The role focuses on opening new business, selling integrated programs across franchises, talent, video, social, events and creator partnerships.

You will cultivate senior client and agency relationships and drive multi-quarter partnerships while maintaining a precise forecast in our CRM. We expect 8+ years in digital media sales, a proven ability to open new accounts, and a passion for shaping

Qualifications

• 8+ years in digital media sales or partnerships
• Proven track record with senior clients and agencies
• Experience selling integrated, custom programs, not just inventory

Responsibilities

• Open new business: prospect, pitch and close partners with a full pipeline
• Sell ideas, not inventory: lead with integrated programs
• Work across the NYC market building relationships with senior clients and non-traditional buyers
• Grow what you win: turn deals into multi-quarter partnerships
• Help build the playbook with editorial, studios, and marketing
• Run a tight business: maintain accurate pipeline and forecast in CRM

Skills

Hunter mindset

Senior client relationships

Entrepreneurial

Target-driven

Ability to sell integrated programs

Job description

Location: New York (hybrid) | Reports to: SVP, Commercial (US)

Compensation: Base $140,000 to $175,000 | On-target earnings $280,000 to $350,000, with uncapped commission

About us

Established as a newspaper in the UK in 1986, The Independent is now a truly global publisher. It is one of the fastest growing news websites in the US, with an American readership of more than 25 million people, while in the UK it is the largest quality digital newsbrand.

Since transforming into a fully digital publisher in 2016, The Independent has been on a remarkable trajectory of expansion, with main offices in New York and London, as well as bureaus in Washington DC, Los Angeles and beyond.

Job purpose

We're looking for an entrepreneurial seller who thinks about media differently and wants to help build something. This isn't a role for answering RFPs and selling impressions. It's for someone who gets excited by new ideas, can see a partnership before the brief exists, and wants a real hand in shaping where The Independent goes next in the US.

You’ll have real ownership, a growing product set, the backing of a global newsroom and a commission plan built to reward what you close.

About you

• 8+ years in digital media sales or partnerships, at a publisher, platform, agency or media company
• Relationships with senior clients and agency partners you can bring to the table
• A track record of opening new accounts and selling integrated, custom programs, not just media
• Entrepreneurial, and energized by building something new rather than maintaining something old
• Thinks about media in a new way, and is curious about creators, Substack, AI search and whatever comes next
• Excited by our vision for The Independent in the US, and wants to help bring it to life
• Comfortable with targets, and motivated by a plan that pays for performance

Key responsibilities and accountabilities

• Open new business. Prospect, pitch and close new partners, with a hunter's mindset and a full pipeline.
• Sell ideas, not inventory. Lead with integrated programs across our franchises, talent, video, social, events and Cited.
• Work across the NYC market. Build relationships with senior clients and agency partners, and with non-traditional buyers like brand studios, PR and creator agencies, and partnerships teams.
• Grow what you win. Turn first deals into long-term, multi-quarter partnerships.
• Help build the playbook. Work with editorial, Independent Studio and marketing to shape new ideas and offerings, while protecting our editorial independence.
• Run a tight business. Keep your pipeline and forecast accurate in our CRM, and share what you're hearing in the market.

What success looks like

In your first year: a strong book of new partners, at least one signature franchise partnership in market, and a pipeline that sets up a big 2027.