Media Sales Executive

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is seeking a driven, consultative, and relationship-focused Media Sales Executive to join our Advertising team. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated sales professional who knows the Pittsburgh market, understands the power of local media, and wants to help businesses connect with engaged audiences across digital, print, sponsorship, branded content, newsletters, events, and other marketing solutions.

In this role, you will serve as a strategic partner to advertisers, agencies, and community organizations. You will uncover client goals, build customized marketing recommendations, manage the full sales cycle, and help businesses increase brand awareness, generate leads, and grow revenue.

The ideal candidate is a confident prospector, strong communicator, and trusted advisor who thrives on building relationships, identifying opportunities, and delivering results.

What you’ll do

As a Media Sales Executive, you will:

• Develop and execute account and territory strategies to meet or exceed revenue goals.
• Prospect, cultivate, and secure new business through networking, referrals, cold outreach, and community engagement.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified opportunities.
• Manage the full sales cycle, from discovery and proposal development to negotiation, campaign execution, renewal, and account growth.
• Conduct client discovery meetings to understand marketing goals, target audiences, budgets, competitive challenges, and performance expectations.
• Recommend customized advertising and marketing solutions aligned with client objectives.
• Present strategic proposals to business owners, executives, marketing leaders, and agency partners.
• Sell a portfolio of solutions that may include digital advertising, newsletters, sponsorships, branded content, event marketing, print advertising, and other revenue-generating products.
• Use audience insights, campaign analytics, and market research to support recommendations and demonstrate value.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned accounts.
• Monitor campaign performance and communicate results, recommendations, and optimization opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure successful campaign implementation and fulfillment.
• Maintain accurate records of sales activity, proposals, contracts, forecasts, and client communications in designated CRM systems.

What we’re looking for

Successful candidates will bring:

• At least three years of experience in advertising sales, media sales, digital marketing, business development, account management, or a related field.
• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Advertising, or a related field is preferred.
• A proven ability to generate new business and achieve revenue goals.
• Strong knowledge of advertising, marketing, and sales principles.
• Familiarity with digital advertising products, integrated marketing solutions, and audience engagement strategies.
• Excellent prospecting, presentation, relationship-building, negotiation, and closing skills.
• The ability to analyze client needs and recommend strategic, customized solutions.
• Comfort using CRM systems, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and sales technology platforms.

Who thrives in this role

You may be a great fit if you are:

• Energized by building new relationships and opening doors.
• Comfortable meeting with business owners, executives, agencies, and community partners.
• Strategic, curious, and consultative in your sales approach.
• Motivated by revenue goals and accountable for results.
• Skilled at managing multiple accounts, deadlines, and opportunities at once.
• A strong communicator who can translate marketing objectives into compelling advertising solutions.
• Passionate about Pittsburgh and the role local media plays in connecting communities and businesses.

Salary Range: Anticipated first-year On Target Earnings (OTE): $85,000–$100,000, made up of a competitive base salary plus earned commissions. Individual pay may vary based on experience, internal equity, and business considerations. We regularly review compensation to ensure it remains competitive, fair, and equitable.

Benefits and support

We are committed to supporting employees in their work and in their lives. Our benefits are designed to promote well-being, stability, growth and belonging. These may include:

• Paid Time Off
• 401K Matching
• Leadership and Professional Development 
• Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits
• Paid Sick Leave
• Commuter Benefits
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free Subscription to the Post-Gazette

Why the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

This is an opportunity to represent one of Pittsburgh’s most recognized media brands while helping local and regional businesses reach valuable audiences. You will work with a broad portfolio of advertising and marketing solutions, collaborate with experienced internal teams, and build lasting partnerships across the business and civic community.

Additional details

This role requires regular interaction with clients, agencies, vendors, and internal stakeholders. Local travel for client meetings, presentations, networking events, sponsorships, and company functions will be expected. Occasional evening or weekend attendance at business, community, or company events may be required.

The Venetoulis Institute embraces diversity and inclusion, and we are wholeheartedly committed to being proactive in inspiring a culture of inclusion across our organization. We are dedicated to establishing an organization that reflects the fundamental respect for different ways of working and living, and we assure every employee the opportunity to reach their full potential.

We are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation due to a disability to participate in the application process, please contact careers@venetoulis.org to request accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to, adjustments in the application process, modifications or assistance regarding job interviews, and accommodations to enable access to our facilities. We appreciate the value that individuals with disabilities bring to our workforce and encourage applicants with disabilities to disclose their needs for accommodation to facilitate a smooth and inclusive recruitment experience.