Head of New Business, Advertising

We are seeking a dynamic person to build new advertising revenue streams for our channel brands across the UK and local territories. The successful candidate will develop and execute strategies to generate incremental revenue through innovative opportunities such as sponsorships, ad-funded programming, branded content, and other channel brand-affiliated revenue streams.

Reporting to the VP of Ad Sales, this person will oversee a small but impactful team of 3, ensuring delivery against revenue budgets, while fostering a culture of excellence in performance and development.

We’re looking for someone who is commercially minded, analytical, and data driven. As well as actively going to market and generating new revenue streams, you’ll instil commercial data selection best practice within your team to help them do the same. You’ll thrive in this role if you’re excited by innovating traditional business opportunities, exploring new digital opportunities and territories, and nurturing your direct reports.

This is a permanent position. This role will be hybrid based in the London office, working on exciting, award-winning brands like Sky HISTORY and Crime+Investigation.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Revenue Development:

• Identify and implement new revenue opportunities, expanding beyond traditional ad sales models.
• Build and execute partnership strategies, focusing on sponsorships, ad-funded programming, branded content, and other innovative solutions.
• Collaborate with internal teams and local offices to identify synergies that maximise brand value and revenue potential.

Leadership and Team Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Ad Sales team, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and tools necessary to succeed.
• Foster a results-driven, customer-focused culture that emphasises collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement.
• Manage performance against revenue budgets, setting and tracking KPIs to ensure team alignment with strategic goals.

Client Relationship Management:

• Build and nurture strong relationships with key clients, delivering meaningful and tailored pitches that address both stated and unstated needs.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, presenting with confidence and securing buy-in for innovative partnership opportunities.
• Collaborate with existing partners to align on shared goals and enhance mutual value creation.

Commercial Analysis and Reporting:

• Conduct thorough commercial analysis to assess performance against revenue targets and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Evaluate market trends, competitors, and emerging opportunities to ensure our channel brands remain competitive and innovative.
• Regularly report progress and insights to the VP of Ad Sales, making data-driven recommendations to optimise results.

Innovation and Collaboration:

• Champion creative thinking within the team to curate unique pitches and partnership ideas.
• Work cross-functionally with internal teams to develop cohesive strategies that align with brand objectives.
• Adapt quickly to new opportunities and challenges, stepping into unfamiliar territory to support business growth and diversification.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following key competencies:

• Commercial Acumen
• Relationship Building
• Influencing & Negotiation
• Strategic Thinking
• Leadership & Teamwork
• Market Analysis

Minimum requirements:

• Proven experience in advertising sales, with a strong track record in generating new revenue streams and building brand partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing sales teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
• Exceptional commercial acumen, with experience in analysing performance metrics and delivering against revenue targets.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and secure buy-in from clients and stakeholders.
• Creative problem-solver who can anticipate client needs and deliver innovative, value-driven solutions.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and resourceful, with a proactive approach to overcoming challenges.
• Strong presentation skills, with the confidence to pitch ideas and strategies to internal and external audiences.
• Industry experience and a relevant network of contacts, particularly in the media, advertising, or entertainment sectors.

Desirable requirements:

• Ability to leverage expertise in digital advertising, including programmatic, CTV, and social, to drive revenue and optimise campaigns.
• Ability to utilise data analytics to interpret audience insights and ad performance, informing strategic decisions.
• Previous experience working with TechEdge, BARB, and/or Adalyser research.

About Us

At Hearst Networks EMEA, we share stories that matter, inspiring and exciting our audiences with hit US franchises (The Curse of Oak Island, Pawn Stars), must-see docudramas (Royal Kill List and Colosseum), and original commissions (Sex: A Bonkers History with Amanda Holden, Royal Autopsy, Cops Gone Bad with Will Mellor). Over the past few years, we’ve championed our own original programming and relished in the successes of recent series’ such as The Unbelievable with Dan Aykroyd, Great Escapes with Morgan Freeman, The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Royal Mob.

We welcome talented candidates with infectious enthusiasm and creativity, who love what they do, and are ready to learn, develop and thrive. Here you’ll find a community of innovative, collaborative and inspiring people who aren’t afraid to embrace responsibility and try new things together, as a team.

We are a certified Great Place to Work® with a motivated and supportive culture that believes in working to live, not just living to work. Every employee has a voice and is encouraged to be themselves and be ambitious. With offices in Rome, Madrid, London, Warsaw, Munich and Johannesburg, we are a truly international organisation that celebrates difference and diversity.

As an inclusive employer, we value the diversity of our teams and want our workforce to reflect our wider society. We encourage and welcome applications from people from under-represented backgrounds and are keen to make sure we are inclusive and accessible to all. Please do let us know if you require any adjustments or assistance for meetings and communications with you when you apply for a role with us.

What We Offer:

• Opportunities for professional growth within a leading media company.
• Collaborative and dynamic work environment.
• Hybrid working arrangements. Learning and development opportunities such as career coaching, mentoring, and AI training.

Please review our Company Values below before applying for this role:

CURIOSITY is what drives us to question, explore, and innovate. We approach challenges with an open mind, ready to grow and evolve as the world changes around us. When we stay curious, we keep learning, discovering fresh opportunities, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

COURAGE is showing up as your true self, with confidence and heart, even when the road ahead feels uncertain. It’s about owning our choices, stepping beyond our comfort zone, and creating new paths and opportunities to explore for both our company and yourself.

CARE is part of everything we do - how we treat each other, approach our work, connect with our partners and the world. It’s about creating a culture where everyone feels included, respected, and truly supported. By acting with care, we nurture trust within our teams, building meaningful relationships throughout our company