Advertising Director

The Williston Herald has been delivering trusted local journalism to Williston and western North Dakota since 1899. Known for best-in-class reporting and serving a fast-growing, resilient region, the Herald plays a vital role in keeping its community informed, connected, and engaged. Based in Williston - a hub for opportunity with a strong local economy, affordable cost of living, easy access to wide-open spaces, outdoor recreation, and small-town community life - this is a place where your work truly makes an impact. The Williston Herald is part of Forum Communications Company, a fifth-generation, family-owned media organization with more than 20 publications across the Upper Midwest, collectively reaching over 5 million readers each month. 

Job Summary

Provide overall advertising sales direction and support, sales training, and accountability to Forum Communication Company sales teams.  

Essential Functions

• Direct and manage all advertising sales strategies across all platforms.  
• Manage a team of local sales representatives while working with a core team of peers across the company. 
• Coach and manage sales team members for continued success.  
• Work with sales team members to ensure that advertising strategies are developed, and goals are attained.  
• Create and maintain relationships with advertising partners.  
• Communicate with the business office in regard to revenue forecasting, payments, sales variances, etc.  
• Review sales contracts, sales goals, and all new sales initiatives.  
• Talent acquisition, continued development, and supervision of new hire sales training program.  
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of openness and positive communication. 
• Maintain prompt and reliable attendance.

Non-Essential Duties and Functions

• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education/experience.  
• Ten years experience leading an advertising or sales department.  
• Experience preparing and managing annual revenue and expense budgets.  
• Proven leadership skills with excellent communication skills. 
• Strong understanding of the competitive media landscape including digital initiatives.  
• Ability to manage under deadlines, multi-task and motivate employees.  
• Knowledge of supervisory rules and policies. 
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a driving record that is insurable by the company. 
• Must carry an acceptable level of vehicle insurance as required by the company. 

Expected compensation for this role is between $85, 000 - 105,000/year, based on qualifications and experience.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Forum Communications Company is a family-owned media and technology leader with more than a century of delivering trusted, quality journalism and innovative business solutions. Storytelling is at the heart of who we are, but today, we’re so much more than a newspaper. As one of the Upper Midwest’s leading media organizations, we’re driving the future across print and digital news, sports streaming, technology, broadcasting, commercial printing, and full-service agency advertising.

Forum Communications Company offers the following to all Full-Time and 32-Hour Benefited employees:

• Health, dental, and vision packages
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Additional options for critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity coverage
• Retirement benefits with company match
• Generous PTO and paid volunteer hours

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. FCC currently does not offer employer sponsorship.

Notice of AI Use in Job Application Review

As part of our commitment in creating a fair, efficient, and consistent hiring process we may use artificial intelligence (AI) to help our recruiting teams organize, summarize, and analyze information provided by candidates, including resumes, application responses, and other materials submitted during the application process.AI may be used to identify patterns, highlight relevant skills, and experience, and assist in comparing a candidate’s qualifications with the requirement of a specific role. These tools are to improve efficiency and consistency while supporting more informed hiring decisions, which will ultimately be made by the hiring team.