Commercial Director

Place North is the UK’s leading property publisher and event organiser. Based in Manchester, we cover the news for the whole of the North of England. Publishing daily, our free-to-read digital publications are second-to-none and inform thousands of property professionals across the UK every day.

Our conferences, events and digital marketing options are well-positioned and all managed in-house, giving us the control over content and quality which has made them the go-to events for the industry over the past 16 years.

Place North is seeking someone special to join our expanding team – an experienced business developer who can help drive the business forward and maximise our recent expansion.

What do you want from a job and is this it?

Do you want an excellent basic salary with uncapped commission?

Do you want to work for the most respected name in the business?

Do you yearn for autonomy and to see your ideas become reality?

Do you want a job that not only rewards well in a great team, but also gives you opportunity to own your role?

Who this job is for?

We are looking for an exceptional person with proven sales results in publishing, media or property.

This job is for someone who can create leads and convert sales regularly and build and maintain profitable relationships.

Someone who can prove experience in closing regularly and on a range of deal sizes.

Someone with proactive drive, with a keen eye for the detail for a customer’s requirements.

Someone who knows how to sell over the phone and in the room, while keeping the balance between selling and overselling.

Someone who is keen to be the face of the business across Yorkshire and the North East.

This job is for a person with drive, someone who is confident but also relaxed. Someone who listens to clients and then advises on the best options.

Someone who can communicate through all levels of business from PAs to marketing managers, owners and directors.

This job is not for the hard seller, the short termer or the inbound sales booker.

Who will you work for?

There now exists an opportunity for an exceptional individual to help lead the delivery of our strategic and tactical sales and commercial offer.

The Commercial Director will help the Managing Partners lead the functions that drive the revenue of the company. The Commercial Director will be responsible for delivering exceptional results and customer experience across the sales functions of our news titles Place Yorkshire and Place North East.

The Commercial Director will bring extensive experience in sales and marketing within publishing, media or property market with a track record of delivering sales and a strong end-to-end customer experience.

Reporting directly to the Leadership team, the Commercial Director will be expected to take responsibility alongside the other leadership team members for the effective growth of income and profile for Place North.

Representing the business at industry events, attending trade shows and conference round the UK and abroad will be required.

Our excellent package includes:

• Basic Salary: £50,000-55,000 per annum (depending on experience)
• £20,000 per annum OTE Commission uncapped
• Target: £250,000 with and uncapped 8% commission on every £ billed
• Matching pension
• Employee ownership rights after 12 months – potential tax-free annual bonus
• Holidays 23+3 (Christmas shutdown) + bank holidays
• Annual individual training budget £1,000
• Commute to work contribution £1,000 per year
• Time in leu system and flexi work option on Bank Holidays
• Mobile phone provided or cost per month covered

Job purpose

Sell and promote media products and services offered by Place North. Products include:

• Content marketing
• Video roundtables
• Bespoke events and video work
• Event sponsorship
• Sponsored podcasts
• Website banner advertising
• Newsletter advertising
• Direct mail

Skills and qualifications

• Degree in business, marketing, or a related field where possible
• Minimum 5 years recent experience in media sales – publishing or media
• Experience in hospitality or events desirable
• Confidence, resilience and reliability
• Outgoing personality
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Persuasiveness
• Customer service and client management
• Maintaining relationships
• Organisation, detail-orientated, multi-tasker

Job Duties

• Approach new customers to make sales through new leads, cold calls, existing relationships, promotional events, or other means
• Deliver skilled sales pitches to potential clients, either by phone, email or in person
• Work closely with the leadership team and update regularly on market trends, opportunities and client and business feedback
• Maintain excellent relationships with all clients
• Reach sales quotas and deliver excellent customer service
• Commit to continuous improvement and product development in order to capture new markets and maximise industry trends
• Understand all facets of the products and services being offered
• Travel to see clients, attend tradeshows, or participate in industry events
• Explain the benefits and potential audience reach of specific media offerings
• Negotiate costs and deal prices when necessary
• Facilitate successful sales by collecting client information, networking and maintaining the company’s CRM
• Track every media purchase made to ensure that it is completed accurately and on time
• Complete sales from beginning to end, sourcing, securing and follow up
• Meet clients outside of normal business hours when necessary