Inside Sales Specialist

Title: Inside Classified Sales Specialist

Company: Hearst Newspapers / Jacksonville Journal-Courier

Are you a driven sales professional with a passion for media and a talent for connecting with customers? If so, we want you on our team!

Role Overview: We are seeking a dynamic Inside Classified Sales Specialist to join our growing sales team. In this role, you will be the voice of our classified advertising department, helping private parties and commercial clients achieve their advertising goals across both print and online platforms. Your mission? To drive revenue growth, exceed sales targets, and deliver exceptional service that keeps our customers coming back for more!

Key Responsibilities:

- Engage with Customers: Quickly answer incoming calls, minimizing wait times and providing top-notch service to sell classified advertising. You'll input ad copy, schedule ads, and approve online submissions, ensuring every customer has a seamless experience.

- Build & Maintain Relationships: Sell and manage current advertisers in our business and service directories. Handle traditional classified ads, announcement ads, and special pages. Conduct "callbacks" to ensure ads are renewed before they expire.

- Drive New Business: Identify and prioritize new business leads and categories with management. Your proactive approach will bring in fresh opportunities and keep our sales pipeline thriving.

- Collaborate Across Teams: Coordinate sales activities with internal departments, maximizing resources to meet customer needs and exceed expectations.

- Achieve Sales Targets: Consistently meet and exceed monthly and quarterly sales goals, demonstrating your commitment to excellence and growth.

- Stay Tech-Savvy: Keep up-to-date with research marketing tools, computer applications, and contact management systems. Leverage your digital knowledge to enhance your sales strategies.

- Continuous Improvement: Participate in annual sales training to refine your selling techniques and stay ahead in the ever-evolving media landscape.

- Adhere to Procedures: Follow rate schedules, production procedures, accounting protocols, credit policies, and deadlines to maintain a high standard of service.

What We’re Looking For:

- Experience: 3+ years of inside sales experience, preferably in media or advertising.

- Digital Proficiency: High level of digital knowledge with experience in MS Office (Word, PPT, Excel). Familiarity with Salesforce.com is a plus.

- Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills are a must.

- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing media environment.

- Education: A degree in Advertising, Marketing, or a related field is preferred but not required.

Why Join Us?

- Be part of a vibrant, innovative team that values creativity and collaboration.

- Enjoy a competitive salary, uncapped commission opportunities, and comprehensive benefits.

- Grow your career in an exciting, dynamic industry with endless possibilities.

Our Benefits: At Hearst Newspapers we not only support our employees through personal and professional development, but we also believe in promoting each individual’s physical, financial and emotional wellbeing (and that of their family).  Our industry-leading benefits include:

• Physical Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage to keep you and your family healthy.
• Invest for the Future: Competitive retirement plan with matching program in most markets.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Recharge with ample time off, including holidays and vacation.
• Paid Parental Leave: Support for growing families, with paid leave for new parents.
• Monthly Child & Dependent Care Reimbursement: Financial support for the care of your loved ones.
• Emotional Wellbeing: Be your best self with our mental wellness benefits.
• LGBTQ+ & Inclusive Health Services: Inclusive healthcare designed for every individual’s unique needs.
• Fertility Coverage & Menopause Support: Helping you along every step of your family journey.
• Pet Wellness Reimbursement & Rover Credits: We care about your pets, too – helping you keep them happy and healthy.
• And more, click here for additional benefits and details.

Ready to make an impact? Apply today to join our team as an Inside Classified Sales Specialist and help us continue to lead the way in classified advertising!

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP represents a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate. At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories–growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms–to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired. 

Be a part of something bigger–Your Headline Awaits

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