Associate Director, Brand Partnerships

Job Title

Job Description

About The Team | Media & Entertainment 

People Inc.'s Media & Entertainment team partners with leading studios, streamers, networks and entertainment brands to connect their biggest releases, franchises and cultural moments with audiences across our portfolio. In addition to the breadth of People Inc.’s premium brands, the team is anchored by PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly - industry-defining brands that are the most trusted voices in Hollywood. We bring premium editorial environments, audience intelligence, custom content, social, experiential, digital and print solutions to build 360 partnerships that drive impact for our partners.

About The Position | Major goals and objectives and location requirements 

People Inc. is looking for a relationship-driven, entrepreneurial Associate Director, Brand Partnerships with a strong work ethic to join our Los Angeles-based Media & Entertainment team and help grow some of our most important partnerships. This is a hybrid role based in Los Angeles, with 3 days per week in office. In this role, you’ll focus on business development, building deep category expertise to forge new partnerships and grow existing business.

Responsibilities Include:

• Effectively represent the entire People Inc. portfolio to our Financial Services client and agency partners

• Establish a high profile presence across your accounts

• Demonstrate high energy and enthusiasm for our products, our sales proposition, and our customers.

• Grow ad revenue from an identified list of existing Media & Entertainment brand advertisers and prospects

• Build a robust pipeline of opportunities to exceed your revenue goals

• Develop deep customer knowledge through research and face to face meetings

• Continuously grow your M&E category knowledge and the audiences M&E advertisers serve

• Create winning account plans focused on the largest opportunities and execute plans through effective written, virtual, and in-person communication

• Meet (and entertain) regularly with client and agency decision makers – 7 meetings per week standard – continually growing your network and building client relationships that lead to growing ad revenue

• Share customer knowledge and effectively collaborate internally to build media programs that sell

• Effectively forecast, track and report revenue contribution and performance with our internal tools.

• Responsible for maintaining and showing growth on a book of business $2M+

Hybrid 3x a week- (LA) 

In-office Expectations: This position is hybrid in-office, with the ability to work remotely for up to 2 days per week.

About The Positions Contributions:

Weight % Accountabilities, Actions and Expected Measurable Results

• 35% — Client & Agency Relationship Building:  Develop strong, trusted relationships with key client and agency stakeholders through regular meetings, entertainment, proactive outreach and thoughtful follow-up. Build a high-profile presence across assigned accounts and continually expand the network of decision-makers and influencers.

• 25% — Revenue Growth & Opportunity Management:  Drive revenue across assigned accounts by identifying new opportunities, responding to RFPs, developing compelling proposals and closing business. Build and maintain a healthy pipeline that supports both near-term goals and long-term account growth.

• 20% — Pipeline, Forecasting & Account Management: Own the day-to-day management of the business, including maintaining accurate pipeline and forecast reporting, tracking deal progress, identifying risks and upside to management, and ensuring clear next steps across all active opportunities.

• 10% — Internal Collaboration & Leadership Communication: Partner closely with Marketing, Account Strategy, Research, Studio and other internal teams to develop winning programs. Communicate key client insights, business updates, risks and opportunities clearly and proactively to leadership.

• 10% — Strategic Account Development: Build and execute account plans for priority partners, develop deep knowledge of client businesses and entertainment slates, and proactively identify ways to grow existing relationships beyond individual campaigns.

The Role’s Minimum Qualifications and Job Requirements:

Education:

Bachelor's degree preferred in Business, Marketing, Communications, Advertising or a related field, and/or equivalent experience.

Experience:

• 2-3 years of digital media sales experience, with a demonstrated track record of success in breaking accounts, growing revenue, and closing opportunities at a high rate

• Relationships within M&E categories strongly preferred

Specific Knowledge, Skills, Certifications and Abilities:

• Positive, high-energy, collaborative, and driven by excellence

• Teachable, curious, and eager to learn and grow

• Strong work ethic with a high degree of ownership and follow-through

• Natural relationship builder with strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Resourceful self-starter who asks great questions, uncovers client needs, and embraces coaching

• High degree of integrity and business ethics

% Travel Required (Approximate): 10%

It is the policy of People Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Company will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Accommodation requests can be made by emailing [email protected].

The Company participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: https://www.e-verify.gov/employees

Pay Range

The pay range above represents the anticipated low and high end of the pay range for this position and may change in the future. Actual pay may vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to work location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of People Inc's total compensation package for employees. Other compensation may include annual bonuses, and short- and long-term incentives. In addition, People Inc. provides to employees (and their eligible family members) a variety of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, unlimited paid time off (PTO), adoption or surrogate assistance, donation matching, tuition reimbursement, basic life insurance, basic accidental death & dismemberment, supplemental life insurance, supplemental accident insurance, commuter benefits, short term and long term disability, health savings and flexible spending accounts, family care benefits, a generous 401K savings plan with a company match program, 10-12 paid holidays annually, and generous paid parental leave (birthing and non-birthing parents), all of which may vary depending on the specific nature of your employment with People Inc. and your work location. We also offer voluntary benefits such as pet insurance, accident, critical and hospital indemnity health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance.