Job Title: Manager of Sales and Business Development
Location: Denver, Colorado (Hybrid)
Reports to: Director of Sales and Community Partnerships
Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $70,000 – $85,000 plus uncapped commission and potential for performance-based bonus
THE POSITION
The Colorado Sun is seeking a driven, strategic and relationship-oriented Manager of Sales and Business Development to help grow advertising, event sponsorship and partnership revenue across the organization. This role is designed for an experienced seller who can manage a strong book of business, develop new revenue opportunities and help strengthen the systems, strategy and execution of The Sun’s sales work.
This position sits between an Account Executive and senior sales leadership. The ideal candidate is both a high- performing individual contributor and a strong team partner who can help improve prospecting, proposal development, client strategy, pipeline management and revenue planning. This person will work closely with the Sales Director and collaborate with marketing, audience, events, membership, editorial and operations staff to foster sustainable growth.
This Manager will represent The Colorado Sun with local businesses, agencies, sponsors, nonprofit partners and community leaders across Colorado. This role requires someone who is entrepreneurial, organized, consultative and energized by the opportunity to help build long-term revenue for independent nonprofit journalism.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Business Development & Revenue Growth
- Manage and grow a significant book of business with local companies, agencies, sponsors and community partners
- Develop new revenue from prospecting, referrals, inbound leads, events, campaigns and strategic outreach
- Identify new business categories, high-potential accounts and partnership opportunities across Colorado
- Sell advertising, sponsorship and partnership opportunities across The Sun’s website, newsletters, podcasts, events and emerging platforms
- Maintain a consistent volume of sales calls, meetings, proposals and follow-up with current and prospective clients
- Meet or exceed individual revenue goals, growth of targeted accounts, and renewal expectations
Strategic Partnerships & Account Growth
- Build trusted relationships with clients, agencies, sponsors and community partners
- Develop consultative sales solutions that align with client goals and The Sun’s audience, mission and products
- Create customized proposals that may include digital advertising, newsletters, podcasts, event sponsorships and other partnership opportunities
- Use audience data, campaign performance, market research and client feedback to strengthen recommendations
- Lead renewal and growth conversations with assigned accounts
- Identify opportunities to expand existing relationships into larger, longer-term or multi-platform partnerships
Sales Strategy, Systems & Team Support
- Partner with the Sales Director to improve sales strategy, pipeline discipline, prospecting systems, pipeline diversification (including philanthropies), revenue planning and team performance
- Help develop sales materials, pitch decks, sponsorship packages, pricing tools and proposal templates
- Support team-wide use of the CRM by maintaining accurate account data, activity tracking and revenue forecasts
- Share ideas and best practices that strengthen prospecting, client service, renewals and campaign execution
- Provide informal coaching, guidance and support to Account Executives or other team members when needed
- Help the sales team stay organized, focused and accountable to shared goals
Client Service & Campaign Coordination
- Coordinate with internal teams to ensure sold campaigns are clearly communicated, accurately executed and delivered on schedule
- Maintain strong communication with clients before, during and after campaigns
- Support campaign reviews by sharing performance data, insights and recommendations for future growth
- Manage multiple clients, proposals, campaigns and deadlines with strong attention to detail
- Help resolve client questions or campaign issues in a timely, professional manner
- Contribute to a client experience that reflects The Sun’s credibility, quality and mission
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Community Presence
- Contribute to a positive team culture rooted in accountability, curiosity, collaboration and shared success
- Collaborate with sales, marketing, audience, events, membership, editorial and operations teams to identify growth opportunities
- Bring ideas that support advertising, sponsorships, events, membership and broader organizational revenue
- Represent The Colorado Sun at business, networking, community and Sun-sponsored events
- Build visibility for The Sun among Colorado companies, agencies, civic leaders, nonprofits and community organizations
- Serve as a professional ambassador for The Sun’s brand, mission and statewide presence
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- 3-5 years of experience in sales, business development, advertising, sponsorships, media or a related revenue role
- Demonstrated ability to develop new business, manage client relationships and meet revenue goals
- Experience creating proposals, sales presentations or partnership packages
- Strong consultative sales skills with the ability to understand client needs and recommend thoughtful solutions
- Ability to manage multiple clients, prospects, deadlines and priorities with strong follow-through
- Comfort using CRM systems, sales tools and digital workplace platforms
- Collaborative, entrepreneurial and committed to representing The Colorado Sun’s mission and values
Preferred:
- 5 or more years of experience in media sales, digital advertising, sponsorships or strategic partnerships
- Experience supporting sales strategy, pipeline management or revenue forecasting
- Familiarity with Colorado businesses, agencies, nonprofits or local market trends
- Experience with local media, nonprofit journalism, public media, events or mission-driven revenue models
- Business degree or equivalent experience in marketing, sales, media, communications or a related field
About The Colorado Sun
The Colorado Sun is an award-winning news outlet based in Denver that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state — our community — can better understand itself. The Colorado Sun is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
WHY JOIN US
- Employer contribution to home office needs
- Be part of a nonprofit newsroom with a mission that matters: serving the people of Colorado with independent, community-centered journalism
- Support the statewide growth of one of the country’s most ambitious nonprofit newsrooms
- Work with a talented team, collaborating across departments to build sustainable growth
- Flexible hybrid schedule (approx. 75% remote, 25% in-person for team meetings, strategy sessions, client meetings, and events)
- Unlimited paid time off
- Health, dental and vision benefits
- Employer contribution to 401(k) retirement plan
HOW TO APPLY
The position will remain open until filled with a preferred application deadline of July 31, 2026. Please email jobs@coloradosun.com with “Manager of Sales” in the subject line, along with with your resume, cover letter, and answers to the questions below (in 500 words or less):
- What compels you about the work of The Colorado Sun, and about this position specifically?
- What past experiences have best prepared you for this role?
- Describe a time when you developed new business, grew an account or helped strengthen a sales process.
- Describe your greatest professional strengths, most limiting professional weaknesses, and how they have impacted your career.
As an employer, The Colorado Sun strives to hire and retain a workforce that reflects the entire state, to encourage collaboration and to compensate people at levels that reward their expertise and talent.
The Sun does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or veteran status in any area of its operations.