Director, Sales & Strategic Partnerships

Who we are

Semafor is a global news platform for an increasingly complex world in which consumers are overwhelmed by too many news sources and unsure what to trust. We are building Semafor to enable world-class journalists to deliver reporting and insights with rigor in journalistic forms that ensure a new level of transparency. Our editors and reporters distill the most important stories from all over in formats that uncover the forces shaping the stories, explain the interests behind polarizing narratives, and replenish the stock of shared facts. As a global platform, Semafor recognizes that smart people can disagree and that informed readers need to understand alternative points of view from competing centers of power and culture in a multi-polar world. Want to join us? Read on. 

About this Role

The Director, Sales and Strategic Partnerships will be responsible for identifying, developing, and managing key partnerships with advertisers. This role requires a combination of business development expertise, strategic vision, and relationship management skills to drive the success of our partnerships strategy. The individual in this position will work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure partnership success and growth.

Your Responsibilities

• Partnership Development: Identify, assess, and negotiate strategic partnerships that align with the company’s business objectives. Understand problems clients need to solve and take a strategic approach to solving them
• Revenue Growth: Drive revenue through new and existing partnerships by structuring deals that generate business value and audience expansion.
• Market Analysis: Conduct research and competitive analysis to identify new opportunities and assess the potential impact of strategic relationships.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with sales, marketing, editorial, and product teams to ensure seamless integration and execution of partnerships.
• Performance Metrics & Reporting: Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure partnership success, providing insights and recommendations to leadership.
• Client & Stakeholder Relationship Management: Maintain strong relationships with existing partners while continuously identifying new opportunities for growth. Successfully manage several complex and multi-dimensional partner relationships and deals.
• Strategic Adjustments: Monitor and refine partnership strategies to adapt to changing market conditions and business needs.
• Event & Conference Representation: Represent the company at key industry events, conferences, and meetings to foster relationships and showcase our brand. 

What makes you qualified

• 10+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or related fields within media, digital publishing, or advertising.
• Proven track record of securing and managing high-impact strategic partnerships in media or digital publishing. 
• Strong understanding of the digital advertising ecosystem, as well as live event partnerships.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to leverage market research and competitive intelligence to drive decision-making.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Proficiency in CRM and sales management tools (e.g., Salesforce, Boostr).

  Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs)

  Knowledge:

  • Strong understanding of the Washington, DC Public Affairs ecosystem
  • Strategic partnership development and execution in journalism, media, and/or digital publishing sectors.
  • Market research, competitive analysis, and audience insights to inform partnership strategies.
  • Digital marketing, content distribution, and advertising ecosystems.

  Skills:

  • Strong negotiation and deal-closing capabilities.
  • Strategic planning and execution of partnership initiatives.
  • Relationship-building and account management.
  • Analytical and data-driven decision-making.
  • Cross-functional collaboration and project management.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

  Abilities:

  • Adaptability to dynamic business environments and evolving market conditions.
  • Strong problem-solving skills to identify and address partnership challenges.
  • Resilience and persistence in navigating complex negotiations and long sales cycles.
  • Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.
  • High emotional intelligence (EQ) to foster and maintain strong business relationships.

  Other Characteristics:

  • Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation and growth.
  • Comfortable working in a hybrid or remote setting with travel as needed.
  • Passion for media, journalism, and the evolving digital content landscape.

Additional Job Details

This position is based in Washington, DC.

Candidates must be willing to work flexible hours and travel domestically as needed.

Comprehensive employee benefits: unlimited PTO, medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability, flexible spending, health savings accounts, life insurance, 401(k), pre-Tax commuter benefits.

Salary Range: Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Base: $160,000 - $180,000 per year; On Target Earnings: $280,000 - $300,000

Additional job details

Semafor offers a Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy to our full-time, salaried employees who may take paid time off as-needed without a prescribed limit or defined balance.

Semafor, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Semafor, Inc. will consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.