Area Business Lead

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 3 May 2026
LOCATION
Newcastle
TYPE
Full-time
LEVEL
Mid-Senior level
CATEGORY
Sales & Marketing
This employer holds a UK Home Office sponsor license — sponsorship for this specific role is at the employer’s discretion

SKILLS

Salesforce Digital Media Knowledge Sales Leadership Team Coaching Data Analysis Forecasting Presentation Skills Ad-serving Technology

FULL DESCRIPTION

Area Business Lead

Newcastle | Full Time | Competitive + Benefits

Company: [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk]

About us

Hello, we're [Employer hidden]. Every day, our trusted news, stories and content connect with millions of people where they live - whether that's 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 [Employer hidden] 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 [Employer hidden]

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 we've built an environment where every background is respected and every day is a day to explore.

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

What You'll 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 [Employer hidden] regional transformation, focusing on acquisition, retention, and the delivery of our diverse media portfolio.

  • 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.

  • 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 [Employer hidden]? 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 we'll match contributions up to 6%
  • 25 days holiday per year when you join. After three, five and ten years service with [Employer hidden], you'll accrue one additional day of annual leave. We also have a Holiday Purchase Scheme
  • Giving back day - an additional day's leave each year to support a cause close to your heart
  • Enhanced family leave - including maternity, paternity and adoption - and you'll 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 UK's top 50 Inclusive Employers everyone's 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 - you'll 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

Contact Details

Talent Acquisition
[contact hidden]
Phone: [contact hidden] (Option 3)

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