This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Advertising Director, IM Direct (salary from £75,000 depending on experience)
Immediate is home to some of the biggest and most loved consumer brands in the UK, including Radio Times, Good Food and BBC Gardeners World magazine. Our trusted, quality content reaches millions of people a month across digital, print, video, podcasts, apps and live events.
We're the destination for people looking to get more from the things they love. We're here to inspire, fuel, encourage and educate.
Whether it's the big things, or the little things; from reaching fitness goals to savouring good food, cultivating outdoor spaces, or enjoying the latest TV sensation - we help bring our audiences joy!
About the role
To lead, develop and inspire the IM Direct sales team to deliver multi-platform ad revenue with a focus on driving triple digit digital growth from the SME sector. Our core verticals include Food, Ents, Gardening, Motoring and Parenting, and our advertiser base comes from these areas plus non-core verticals including Travel, Charities, Retirement, Health and Finance.
The team is at varying skill levels and in the early stages of their careers, so they require ongoing hands-on training, mentorship, development, encouragement, and motivation to thrive.
This team leader needs to bring a sharp focus on new business development, on pro-active sales techniques and approach to build and shape a resilient, competitive and winning culture. The leader will foster a culture of learning and development and for that reason it is preferably a full-time role with a minimum of three days a week based in the office in Hammersmith (with full flexibility around working hours). The role will also lead on team strategy, approach and product development and be accountable for all revenue. Due to the strategic importance of this revenue stream and its growth potential the role will sit on the Ads Leadership Team and report into the MD, Advertising.
As an Advertising Director, IM Direct you will;
* Be responsible for delivering budgeted IM Direct revenues across all brands and platforms
* Develop the team to drive triple digit digital growth
* Develop new relevant ideas and products to test and take to market, across digital, print, social and audio, working closely with the relevant sales, ad product, tech and publishing teams
* Ensure all team members work side-by-side with their respective client leads to build and deepen their sector expertise and knowledge
* Work with team members to create and deliver effective strategies for their patches, including a focus on both renewal and new business, utilising Connect and CRMA tools and reports
* Identify training and development needs across the team and recommend and action suitable plans
* Identify talent within the team, ensuring everyone has an individual development plan and that key talent is developed at pace whilst creating the right environment for talent to thrive.
* Foster a culture of belief, success and trust across the team, ensuring they support each other and operate as one team
* Develop, communicate, and implement annual commercial business plans
* Annual budgeting and twice-yearly re-forecasting
* Oversee all weekly reporting and forecasting to ensure all brands and stakeholders receive accurate and timely weekly forecasts
* Ensure all sales collateral is up to date, relevant and effective, updating regularly
* Work with the Commercial Data and Insight team to develop and publish appropriate insight for SME clients
* Work with the Client leads and the Ad Marketing Manager on relevant insight and events for SME clients
* Launch and build a strong IM Direct brand with customers, talent pools and internal stakeholders
* Analyse and identify sector and market trends, new products and commercial revenue streams that will add value to the team
* Ensure robust and detailed competitor analysis is in place and is monitored, actioned and reported on transparently by all team members
* Ensure there is a robust leads system in place, across all categories, recommending technology or partners where appropriate
* Work collaboratively with the Agency team to ensure client patches, product and market developments are clearly understood, always taking the most efficient and effective approach to market
* Ensure that the team maintain a minimum standard in call rates, required number of meetings, new business wins, series bookings, daily proposals and win rates
* Ensure that all bookings, proposals and contact reports are entered timely on Connect and that the team obtain confirmation of booking from principals at time of booking
* Act as an ambassador for your team internally and on behalf of Immediate externally
* Recruitment, induction plans and training for new team members
* Complete annual appraisals, individual development plans and quarterly updates for all team members
* Play an active role on the Ads LT, helping to shape the department strategy, direction and culture
Requirements
* Experience of driving triple digit growth in highly competitive markets
* Experience of leading, mentoring and developing a team in early-stage careers and fostering a pro-active, resilient and supportive sales culture
* Experience of pitching and selling high volume digital products to SMEs
* Experience of transforming SME client revenue from print to digital highly desirable
* Experience of developing relevant and effective new digital products for SMEs
* Deep understanding of the client direct SME market, including trends, market conditions and client needs
* An understanding of our vertical categories, including trends and new product launches
* Be fully conversant in all areas of the Immediate advertising business, including social, video, podcasts, programmatic, data, events
* Strong understanding of the whole media landscape, trends, where clients are allocating budget and why
* Strong understanding of marketing principles, challenges and brand strategies
* Strong numeracy and negotiation skills
* Exceptional leadership skills and ability to inspire and motivate teams and individuals around the business
* Exceptional communication and relationship building skills
* Consistently demonstrate a deeply collaborative approach across all teams
* Proven ability to pro-actively deal with challenging situations and demonstrate a positive mindset towards problem solving
* Exceptional ability to excite and engage clients with new ideas
* Pro-active approach with a drive for results and strong desire to win
* Exceptional presentation skills
* Fun and hardworking attitude
* Ability to test and learn at pace and adapt quickly and positively to change
Benefits
* A relaxed working environment with regular socials including a summer festival
* Supportive well-being initiatives and benefits, talks & workshops, and Mental Health First aiders & Champions
* 25 days holiday plus a day for your birthday. Our offices will be closed between Christmas and New Year's which are in addition to your annual entitlement
* Tailored training and development through both our inhouse learning platform and LinkedIn Learning
* A progressive and transparent culture focused on your development
* Flexible / hybrid working plus early finish Fridays
* Cycle to work scheme
* Enhanced Family Policies including paternity, adoption and surrogacy leave. We also provide a pregnancy loss, fertility, and carers policy
* Competitive pension plans and Life Assurance
* A newly renovated modern office with lots of collaborative spaces
At Immediate, we pride ourselves on our open, inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic culture that empowers our people to thrive and give their best. We care deeply about our people, our local communities and the impact we have on the environment. Our active Diversity & Inclusion network, comprehensive well-being programs, and clear sustainability strategies reflect this commitment.
People are at the heart of our business and creating a diverse and inclusive working environment is important to us. Immediate is an equal opportunities employer. We'll never treat anyone less favourably because of their sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marital/civil partnerships, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, age, religion or belief or disability. We're also committed to supporting applications from those who are returning to work following a career break, maternity leave or caring responsibilities.
Immediate is a place you can grow, be supported, and make a difference.
#J-18808-Ljbffr