Director, Publisher Sales
Job description
About the role
The is responsible for developing strategic partnerships with premium online publishers to drive mutual growth and long-term value. This role owns the full sales cycle for premium online inventory, ensuring consistent execution and excellence from initial contact to closed deal. The position works closely with product and marketing teams to shape tailored solutions that address the evolving needs of the digital media landscape. You will act as a trusted advisor to key publisher partners, aligning their goals with Verve's capabilities. The role demands a proactive approach to identifying new business opportunities and deepening existing relationships. Success in this position is defined by the ability to break new business and consistently exceed sales quotas. You will steward partnerships post-sale to ensure seamless onboarding and ongoing satisfaction.
Key facts
What you'll do
Identify and develop strategic partnerships with premium online publishers to unlock new revenue streams and growth opportunities.
Own the full sales cycle for premium online inventory, managing sourcing, negotiation, and deal closure to create sustainable value.
Manage and optimize onboarding processes to ensure smooth integration and strong start dates for new publisher partnerships.
Steward active partnerships to ensure ongoing success, retention, and expansion across the publisher ecosystem.
Collaborate with internal product and marketing teams to refine go-to-market strategies and solution positioning.
Conduct in-depth market research to uncover trends, opportunities, and competitive dynamics within digital publishing.
Qualify and prioritize deals based on strategic fit, revenue potential, and long-term partnership value.
Demonstrate mastery of ad tech platforms and digital publishing environments to communicate value effectively.
Build and maintain strong executive relationships with key decision-makers at target publishers.
Use data-driven insights to optimize sales approaches and improve conversion rates over time.
Represent Verve at industry events and conferences to strengthen brand presence and generate new leads.
Address complex objections and negotiate terms that align with both publisher needs and Verve's objectives.
Maintain accurate forecasting and pipeline management to support growth targets and business planning.
Contribute feedback from the field to inform product enhancements and messaging improvements.
Requirements
The posting states a minimum of 7 years of experience in a relevant sales or business development capacity.
The posting states a pay range of $120,000 to $200,000, reflecting the level of responsibility and impact.
5-6 years of dedicated online media or publisher partnerships experience is required for this role.
A demonstrated understanding of digital publishing business models, products, and market dynamics is expected.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize tasks under tight deadline pressure are essential.
A proven track record of breaking new business and consistently exceeding sales quotas is necessary for success.
Familiarity with ad tech platforms, demand-side platforms, and digital publishing environments is required.
Residence in New York, US is expected for this position due to the hybrid work model and in-office requirements.
Practical notes
This role operates in a hybrid work model with three in-office days per week at Madison Square Park in New York.
Typical interview steps include a role play, a discovery call simulation, and a presentation.
Candidates may be asked to pitch a product to a panel or handle a tough objection during the interview process.
Behavioral questions will focus on past quota attainment, deal history, and evidence of consistent performance.
Energy, preparation, and strong communication skills are critical during the interview stages.
Practicing your sales pitch out loud can help you perform at your best during interviews.
Questions to ask
Worth asking in any interview: how the team measures success, who the role works with daily, what the onboarding looks like, and what the company is trying to achieve this year.
Asking what past hires did well is a strong final question that can provide insight into expectations and performance.
Keep the list of questions short and select the ones that matter most to your decision-making process.
Career growth
Sales careers can progress from SDR or associate roles to account executive, senior AE, manager, and director positions.
Some professionals move into partnerships, account management, or revenue operations over time.
Compensation typically combines a base salary with commission tied to individual and team performance.
High performers often advance to larger accounts, team leadership, or sales operations roles.
Quota history and professional references carry the most weight during promotion considerations.
About the company
Verve is hiring for Director, Publisher Sales. New York, US.