Area Business Lead

Newcastle
Competitive + Benefits
Full Time

About us

Hello, were Reach. Every day, our trusted news, stories and content connect with millions of people where they live - whether thats on their social feed or at their neighbourhood newsstand; through their local community or their take on the hot topic of the day.

We're home to more than 120 brands - from household names like the Mirror, Express, Daily Star and Daily Record, to local titles like MyLondon, BelfastLive, and the Manchester Evening News, and brands making a splash in the US like the Irish Star.

It's our ability to understand people and the things that matter to them that makes us Britain and Ireland's largest commercial news publisher. We reach around 70% of the UK's online population, 10% of the US online population, and over 100 million social followers around the world, connecting with them on who they are, where they live and what they love.

Your story, with Reach

As a modern media organisation, we're much more than just news. And it takes a wide range of people and skills to serve diverse audiences, customers and communities like we do.

We know everyone has their own story to tell, so weve built an environment where every background is respected and every day is a day to explore.

Well help you build a career that works with your life, while giving you the space to create and grow.

What Youll Be Doing:

As the Area Business Lead, you are the leader of revenue growth in your region. Reporting directly to the Sales Director, you will oversee a dynamic field operation comprising Key Account Directors and Account Managers. Your mission is to drive the Reach regional transformation, focusing on acquisition, retention, and the delivery of our diverse media portfolio.

Your key objectives include:

  • Strategic Execution: Implementing a robust area plan that aligns with the wider regional strategy while addressing the unique nuances of your local market.
  • Driving Performance: Aiming for high-impact results, including a 5% improvement in churn and a 15% boost in acquisition value and volume.
  • Data-Led Leadership: Utilizing cutting-edge tools like Salesforce, Buzzboard, and Refract to make analytical decisions and predict future market trends.
  • Culture Building: Fostering a high-performance, high-trust environment where your team feels empowered to speak up, grow, and celebrate wins.
  • Operational Excellence: Managing a remote-working team of 7-8 direct reports, ensuring consistent coaching, objective setting, and a relentless focus on the customer.

What You Need to Succeed

We are looking for a commercial digital media expert who pairs analytical rigour with an infectious, high-impact personality. You should be someone who doesn't just manage from a dashboard but inspires from the trenches.

Essential Skills & Experience:

  • Proven Sales Leadership: A track record of driving significant revenue growth within a field sales environment.
  • Commercial Acumen: Highly numerate with the ability to forecast accurately and identify untapped revenue opportunities.
  • Digital & Media Savvy: A deep understanding of digital, national, and regional media landscapes, including experience with ad-serving technology and trading platforms.
  • Coaching & Development: A passion for people. You should be an expert at identifying talent, coaching for performance, and building a "safety-to-speak" culture.
  • Agility & Pace: The ability to work at high speed, navigate change with charisma, and translate market feedback into actionable product requirements.
  • Influence & Communication: Exceptional presentation and face-to-face skills, with the ability to cascade consistent, impactful messages across the region.

You put the customer at the heart of every decision. You are a role model for change, an advocate for your people, and a disciplined strategist who knows that the best way to lead a sales team is to be as sharp as the people you manage.

Ready to lead the future of Reach? Apply today and help us own the next three years.

What can we offer you?

We're offering a competitive salary and a range of fantastic benefits to help support you both personally and professionally. These include:

  • Help saving for your retirement - join our pension scheme and well match contributions up to 6%
  • 25 days holiday per year when you join. After three, five and ten years service with Reach, youll accrue one additional day of annual leave. We also have a Holiday Purchase Scheme
  • Giving back day - an additional days leave each year to support a cause close to your heart
  • Enhanced family leave - including maternity, paternity and adoption - and youll be eligible after just six months employment
  • Private Healthcare Cash Plan - free health cash plan so you can claim back cash for a range of medical expenses
  • As one of the UKs top 50 Inclusive Employers everyones invited to join our events, programmes and networks to celebrate diversity and build an environment where all our people can thrive
  • Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 employee assistance programme (EAP) for you and your nearest and dearest
  • Awesome career opportunities - youll have support from your line manager and a range of learning & development programmes
  • We are also a member of the 30% Club, a global campaign aimed at increasing gender diversity at board and senior management levels

If youre excited about this role but dont tick every single box, please dont let that stop you from applying.

We know that everyone has their own story to tell, and we value potential, passion and the perspectives that different backgrounds bring to our work.

Diverse perspectives strengthen our teams and help us better serve our audiences, which is why were dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and supported. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

We are committed to a recruitment process that is fair and welcoming to all, without discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.

Apply for this job