Associate Director, Brand Partnerships

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

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. Responsible for maintaining and showing growth on a book of business $2M+. This position is hybrid in‑office, with the ability to work remotely for up to 2 days per week.

Responsibilities

• 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

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.

Knowledge, Skills, 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

Approximately 10% travel required.

Pay

Salary range: California: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 (actual pay may vary based on location, experience, and performance).

Benefits

• 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
• Generous 401K savings plan with a company match program
• 10‑12 paid holidays annually