Founded in 2014, The Shade Room (TSR) has grown into a leading media powerhouse for breaking news and a trailblazer for reporting all things pop culture. TSR combines investigative entertainment journalism from our writers with crowdsourced journalism from our Roommates to operate a 24/7 news outlet. Our strong community of followers allows us to break away from traditional news delivery by reaching readers directly through their social networks.

As we continue to grow, we are always looking for the best and brightest talent with big ideas. From Social Media content to Video Production, we thrive on creativity! If this sounds like you, we hope you’ll join us.

SUMMARY:

The Director of Ad Marketing & Sales will be responsible for developing and executing revenue-

driving strategies across digital, social, and branded content channels. This role will focus on building and managing key brand partnerships, optimizing advertising and sponsorship sales, and leading cross-functional collaboration between marketing, content, and sales teams to drive revenue growth. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of digital media, social-first advertising strategies, and the nuances of marketing to multicultural audiences. This role can be based in Los Angeles, CA or New York, NY.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Revenue & Sales Strategy

• Develop and execute a revenue growth strategy to drive direct advertising,
• branded content, and sponsorship sales.
• Identify, pitch, and close new business with advertisers, agencies, and brand
• partners, with a focus on long-term partnerships.
• Own and manage the end-to-end sales process, from prospecting, concepting,and developing pitch materials, pitching and negotiation to execution and reporting.
• Collaborate with leadership to set revenue goals and track performance metrics,ensuring alignment with company objectives.

Ad Marketing & Branded Content Strategy

• Lead the development of compelling advertising and branded content offerings tailored for TSR’s audience and platform capabilities.
• Work closely with content, creative, and social teams to craft engaging, high-performing brand integrations across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and TSR’s owned platforms.
• Stay ahead of digital media trends, social commerce, and emerging ad formats to drive innovation in advertising solutions.

Client & Partner Management

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key advertisers, media agencies,and brand partners.
• Serve as a strategic consultant to clients, helping them understand and maximize the value of TSR’s audience and platform.
• Develop and refine sponsorship and media kits, case studies, and performance insights to support sales efforts.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with TSR’s editorial, production, and social teams to ensure ad placements and branded content align with the brand’s voice and audience expectations.
• Collaborate with data and insights teams to measure and optimize campaign performance.
• Plan and execute digital marketing campaigns, including SEO/SEM, email marketing, social media advertising, and online display advertising.
• Oversee the planning and implementation of digital marketing campaigns, encompassing SEO/SEM, email marketing, social media advertising, and online display advertising.
• Travel 20% of the time.
•  Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Deep knowledge of digital advertising, social media monetization, and influencer
• marketing.
• Strong industry relationships with brands and agencies, particularly in entertainment,
• beauty, fashion, CPG, and multicultural marketing.
• Proficient user of Salesforce.
• Ability to develop data-driven marketing strategies and sales narratives that align with
• advertiser objectives.
• Exceptional negotiation, presentation, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to formulate and present complex proposals which combine technical
• implementation of advertising opportunities.
• Excellent organization and presentation skills, high level of computer skills
• including Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel and Word.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, sales, or other related fields

preferred. 7+ years of experience in digital media sales, branded content, or ad marketing, with a proven track record of revenue growth. Must have current relationships with New York based agencies and contacts. Experience managing sales support teams. Experience selling news and true crime content for a digital brand, a

plus. Experience using Salesforce required.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time and exempt position. The pay range is $150,000 – $170,000 annually + commission. Annual compensation will be based off of experience, local cost of living and budget.

BENEFITS

The Shade Room is a fully remote work environment with a wonderful team of hardworking, innovative and creative people. Our benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K, 401K match, sick time and paid time off!

The Shade Room provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by the federal, state or local laws. The Shade Room is an at-will employer.

Notice to California Residents of Collection of Personal Information

When you submit an application, The Shade Room collects the personal information that you provide and you authorize us to collect on your behalf for the purpose of processing and evaluating your

application, verifying the accuracy of information you provide, and communicating with you

about your application.

The information we may collect includes:

• personal identifiers like your name, address, and contact information about your professional abilities, skills, aptitudes and background (e.g.,educational and professional experience, resumes, curricula vitae, writing samples, and information about your skills, training, and applicable licenses, permits, and
• certifications);
• information about your character, references, and credentials;
• information about your authorization to work for us;
• information obtained from references, educational institutions, and others you have
• authorized us to contact (including results of background checks you authorize us to perform if you are offered a position); and any other information you elect to provide or authorized us to obtain.
• We may collect additional information for the purposes of complying with legal
• obligations, including criminal background and licensure information that may affect
• your legal ability to work for us and status information required for the monitoring of equal
• employment opportunity compliance (e.g., race/ethnicity, disability status, and gender).