Business Development Executive-Waterloo, IA

Business Development Executive

Waterloo, IA | Hybrid work options available

Love making connections, spotting opportunities, and turning a good conversation into new business? Let's talk.

Lee Enterprises is hiring a Business Development Executive to sell advertising solutions to businesses in Waterloo and the surrounding area, combining our trusted local news brands with a full suite of digital marketing services.

You'll bring curiosity, creativity, and a drive to win. You'll sell print advertising and special sections, plus a broad portfolio of digital services including search, social, display, email, and website solutions to help you build solutions that fit your clients' goals.

This position offers a hybrid work option, combining remote work with time in the office and in-person client meetings throughout the Waterloo area.

What you'll do

• Open doors. Find new prospects, build relationships, and turn introductions into lasting partnerships.
• Get to know the business. Ask thoughtful questions, understand each client's challenges, and recommend advertising solutions that make sense.
• Build and maintain a client portfolio. Meet monthly and quarterly revenue goals and use campaign results to show clients their return on investment.
• Bring ideas to life. Develop and present creative digital and multimedia campaigns that connect businesses with their audiences.
• Grow your accounts. Help existing clients discover new opportunities while building a strong pipeline of new business.
• Own the process. Manage opportunities from the first conversation through the close, keeping your pipeline organized and your follow-up timely.
• Keep learning. Stay curious about digital advertising trends, tools, and ways to deliver value.

What you'll bring

• A goal-driven mindset and the initiative to go after new opportunities.
• Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• The ability to manage your time, set priorities, and follow through.
• Creative thinking backed by sound business judgment.
• Resilience when you hear "not right now" and resourcefulness in finding the next opportunity.
• A client-first approach and an interest in helping local businesses succeed.
• Comfort with change and a willingness to learn new products and technology.

Preferred qualifications

• Three or more years of sales experience. Digital advertising experience is a plus, but it isn't required.
• A bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• A track record of growing revenue through new business development and existing client relationships.
• Familiarity with digital advertising technology, research tools, and analytics platforms such as Google Analytics.

Ready to make connections and make an impact? Apply today and help us grow

Why Join Us?

Lee Enterprises offers competitive wages in a dynamic, interesting work environment with career growth opportunities. We offer an extensive benefit program that can be personalized to your needs. Our benefit program includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, company provided life insurance and supplemental life insurance. In addition, we offer a 401K retirement plan with company match. We also offer generous paid time off to allow the flexibility to balance personal life and work. This includes paid parental leave for new parents.

Lee Enterprises is a leading provider of local news and information and a major subscription and advertising platform, with daily and weekly newspapers and rapidly expanding digital products serving 114 markets across 25 states. Our core commitment is to provide valuable, intensely local news and information to the communities we serve.

Lee Enterprises is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We respect and celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

For more information about Lee, check us out at www.lee.net.