Sales Account Executive

Overview

Willamette Week, Portland’s most vital source for investigative reporting and coverage of arts and culture, is seeking a Sales Account Executive to join our Advertising Sales Team. This role is responsible for driving revenue by managing and growing a book of business, developing new advertiser relationships, and partnering with local businesses to build effective advertising solutions across our platforms.

This is a sales position. You will be accountable for meeting—and ideally exceeding—monthly and quarterly revenue goals through disciplined pipeline management, consistent outreach, and strong closing skills. You’ll work with local, regional, and select national businesses to create advertising solutions across Willamette Week’s platforms, including our weekly paper, magazines, , newsletters, events, and social channels.

A successful candidate is resourceful, analytical, adaptable, and extremely organized, with an innate ability to build rapport with clients. Our Account Executives understand the value of local journalism, are excited by the challenge of revenue growth, and enjoy building long-term client relationships in a fast-paced, goal-oriented team environment.

• Own and grow a book of business, with clear responsibility for hitting and over delivering on revenue targets.
• Maintain a healthy sales pipeline through consistent prospecting, follow-up, and outreach.
• Identify opportunities to increase spend with existing clients through upsells, renewals, and long-term planning.
• Develop a strong understanding of Willamette Week’s media calendar, platforms, and audience to effectively position advertising solutions.
• Build trusted relationships with advertisers through regular communication, in-person meetings, and strategic business reviews.
• Create, present, and close compelling advertising proposals aligned with client goals and budgets.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with design, sponsored content, marketing, analytics, and account management teams to execute successful campaigns.
• Actively participate (when necessary) in the ad design and sponsored content process by providing clear strategic direction tied to client objectives.
• Use CRM tools daily to manage accounts, track activity, log notes, and book advertising.
• Regularly proof and audit all client ads to ensure accuracy, quality, and on-time placement.
• Stay current on digital advertising tools, platforms, and non-traditional ad offerings.
• Contribute ideas and feedback to improve Willamette Week’s advertising products and partner experience.

• Experience in sales, account management, customer success, or another client-facing role is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated interest in sales, revenue growth, and performance-based goals.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and comfortable managing multiple accounts and deadlines.
• Strong communicator who enjoys building relationships and asking for the sale.
• Resilient, persistent, and motivated by clear goals and measurable outcomes.
• Creative and solutions-oriented, with the ability to learn quickly and adapt.
• Interest in digital and non-traditional advertising platforms.
• A genuine love of Portland:
  You need to be more than willing to dive deeply into local culture to develop a keen understanding of — and appreciation for — our city.

Willamette Week offers an exciting and challenging environment where sales performance directly supports independent local journalism. We value kind, curious, hardworking people who take ownership of their work, support their teammates, and are excited to grow.

Send a cover letter and resume to  with “Sales Account Executive” in the subject line — or submit both documents via the application portal here.