Sponsorship Sales & Community Partnerships Manager

Ashland.news is seeking a full-time Sponsorship Sales & Community Partnerships Manager to lead and grow our earned revenue program through successful sales of sponsorships, underwriting, and structured business partnerships.Ashland.news reaches approximately 7,400 engaged newsletter subscribers, with three weekly distributions, and generates 150,000–200,000 monthly website pageviews. This role is responsible for maximizing that existing audience reach through strategic, mission-aligned sponsorship relationships.Position OverviewThe Sponsorship Sales & Community Partnerships Manager is a quota-carrying employee responsible for developing, selling, renewing, and expanding sponsorship partnerships across Ashland.news platforms, including newsletter, website, events, special coverage initiatives, or other products consistent with Ashland.news’s mission.This role combines sales execution, relationship development, and revenue product innovation within a nonprofit newsroom environment. The position reports to executive leadership and works collaboratively with editorial and operations teams while maintaining strict editorial independence and firewall standards.Key ResponsibilitiesProspect, pitch, negotiate, and close new sponsorship agreements.Develop and ensure that sales support material and presentations are up to date, timely and appropriate.Renew and expand existing sponsor relationshipsDevelop innovative sponsorship products, including underwriting of coverage areas and event partnershipsUpdate and revise the annual media kit and rate structureBuild and manage a structured sales pipeline using CRM toolsParticipate actively in Chamber of Commerce and other civic networking activitiesCollaborate internally to ensure timely and accurate sponsorship fulfillmentMeet or exceed annual revenue targets in the range of $150,000–$200,000 in collected sponsorship revenue in Year 1Maintain strict adherence to editorial independence and sponsorship labeling standardsQualifications3+ years experience in advertising sales, sponsorship sales, or revenue partnershipsDemonstrated success meeting or exceeding sales quotasStrong relationship-building skills within community marketsExperience developing custom sponsorship solutionsExcellent written and verbal communication skillsHigh ethical standards and respect for editorial independenceCompensationBase Salary: $48,000 annuallyRamp Draw: $2,000 per month for the first six monthsCommission: 10% on net new business revenue collected; 5% on renewalsAdditional accelerators may apply for exceeding revenue targetsCommissions adjusted at (90 or 120*) days after bad debt reconciliationTotal On-Target Earnings potential: $65,000–$80,000+ annuallyAshland.news reserves the right to adjust commission structures in accordance with overall revenue target performance.