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Job description
Sarasota Magazine is hiring a Business Development Director to help grow revenue across print, digital, events, sponsorships, branded content, partnership content, Content Studio, special sections, guides, and annual advertising programs.
The Business Development Director is responsible for building relationships with businesses, organizations, nonprofits, institutions, civic partners, and market leaders who want to reach, influence, and engage Sarasota Magazine’s audience.
The right candidate understands that Sarasota Magazine is more than a magazine. It is a trusted global media brand with print authority, digital reach, subscriber loyalty, event presence, community credibility, and storytelling capability.
This role requires someone who can prospect, listen, package opportunities, present clearly, close business, maintain relationships, and help clients see Sarasota Magazine as a long-term strategic partner.
A Business Development Director will help move Sarasota Magazine beyond transactional ad sales and into higher-value partnerships that support client growth and strengthen the magazine’s business model.
Core Responsibilities
Revenue Growth
The Business Development Director is responsible for generating new and recurring revenue across Sarasota Magazine’s product lines.
This includes:
Print advertising
Digital advertising
Website advertising
Newsletter sponsorships
Social and digital promotion packages
Event sponsorships
Branded content
Partnership content
Content Studio packages\
Sponsored guides
Special sections
Custom publications
Annual advertising agreements
Category ownership packages
Integrated print, digital, event, and content programs
The goal is to build a more diversified, recurring, and profitable revenue base.
Prospecting and New Business Development
You will be expected to actively identify, pursue, and develop new business opportunities.
This includes:
Building prospect lists by category
Researching potential advertisers and partners
Making outbound calls and introductions
Scheduling meetings
Attending community and business events
Developing referral relationships
Identifying growth categories
Creating new opportunities from existing relationships
Bringing new advertisers into Sarasota Magazine
Priority categories may include home and design, real estate, luxury living, healthcare, dining, hospitality, arts and culture, philanthropy, finance, legal, education, wellness, professional services, civic institutions, and regional growth companies.
Account Management and Relationship Building
You will manage client relationships before, during, and after the sale.
This includes:
Understanding client goals
Recommending appropriate products and packages
Maintaining regular communication
Preparing for client meetings
Tracking follow-upCoordinating with Revenue Operations on proposals and agreements
Ensuring expectations are clearly documented
Identifying renewal and upsell opportunities
Helping clients understand the value of Sarasota Magazine
The goal is to build long-term relationships, not one-time transactions.
Proposal and Package Development
You will work with the Publisher and Revenue Operations to develop clear, compelling proposals.
This includes:
Matching client goals with Sarasota Magazine products
Recommending print, digital, event, sponsorship, and content packages
Helping shape annual partnership opportunities
Developing category-specific pitches
Supporting custom proposals for larger clients
Ensuring proposals are realistic, profitable, and operationally deliverable
The Business Development Director must be able to sell both standard products and custom opportunities without creating confusion for the internal team.
Partnership Content and Branded Content Sales
A key part of this role will be helping grow Sarasota Magazine’s new content-based revenue products.
Partnership Content refers to broader, higher-value storytelling relationships with businesses, nonprofits, institutions, and civic partners. These may include sponsored series, annual partnerships, community impact campaigns, issue-based content packages, event-linked storytelling, or custom content programs.
You will help identify which clients are good fits for these products, explain the value clearly, and work with Revenue Operations and Content Operations to make sure scope, pricing, deliverables, deadlines, approvals, and labeling are properly documented.
Key Measures
This role will be measured by both revenue production and relationship quality.
Key measures include:
Total revenue sold
New business revenue
Renewal revenue
Annual contract value
Average deal size
Number of qualified prospects
Number of client meetings
Proposal volume
Close rate
Renewal rate
Event sponsorship revenue
Digital revenue
Branded content revenue
Partnership content revenue
Content Studio revenue
CRM accuracy
Forecast accuracy
Client retention
Internal handoff quality
Collections support when needed
Required Skills and Experience
Proven sales, business development, advertising, sponsorship, media, agency, or partnership experience
Strong relationship-building skills
Ability to prospect and generate new business
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to present clearly and confidently
Ability to understand client goals and translate them into media or content opportunities
Comfort selling across print, digital, events, sponsorships, and content
Strong follow-through
Comfort using CRM systems, sales trackers, spreadsheets, and proposal documents
Ability to work across departments
Ability to manage multiple prospects, clients, deadlines, and proposals at once
High level of professionalism and discretion
Preferred Experience
Experience in media sales, magazine sales, digital advertising, event sponsorships, branded content, agency services, nonprofit partnerships, luxury categories, or local business development
Existing relationships in Sarasota, Manatee, or the broader Gulf Coast region
Experience selling to business owners, marketing directors, nonprofit leaders, developers, real estate professionals, healthcare organizations, cultural institutions, or civic leaders
Familiarity with print and digital media products
Familiarity with content marketing or branded storytelling
Familiarity with event sponsorships and community partnerships
Personal Qualities
Commercially sharp
Relationship-driven
Confident but not pushy
Curious
Organized
Persistent
Strategic
Professional
Community-minded
Comfortable with accountability
Strong with follow-through
Able to listen before selling
Able to sell value, not just space
Comfortable representing a premium local brand
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Worksite address
sarasota, FL, 34243, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.