Director/VP of Distribution

Surphace is a three-year old company made up of a handful of people passionate about connecting mainstream and conversational media and changing the way digital content and advertising is consumed. We’re best known for our Surphace Related Content Widgets and Modules, which make contextually relevant connections across media. Surphace works with many of the world's leading media brands (e.g. The Wall Street Journal, LA Times, Chicago Tribune, CNN, MLB, AOL, Time, CBS News, among others).

We're looking for an ambitious and hungry digital media professional to lead our distribution efforts as we expand our reach across the online publisher universe. The ideal candidate is passionate about shaping the way consumers discover online content, and in the process, breaking down the barriers between “old” and “new” media. The individual will report directly to the COO/CEO, developing and executing our core partnership strategies. This role is important to the company's ability to capitalize on its current momentum; success in this role will quickly be seen in the bottom line results of the business.

Location: New York City

More specifically, this position will:

• Develop, negotiate, and close relationships with potential partners.
• Manage ongoing partner relationships to ensure partner satisfaction and results for Surphace and its partners.
• Creatively develop our offering to partners based on existing product and organizational capabilities.
• Communicate back to internal groups the outcome of the negotiations/proposals focusing on conveying the expectations set forth for each group i.e. clear details, critical timeframes, and expectations.
• Refine and execute the company's partnering strategy, including helping to shape the value proposition necessary to secure those partnerships.

Required skills and experience:

• 3-5 years of business development experience in a consumer Internet or online media company. Seasoned business development skill set - prospecting, creative problem solving, deal structure, negotiation, closing, etc.
• Strong understanding of the Internet media business and associated business models. Knowledge and personal connections in the online media, advertising, or media discovery industries a major plus.
• Experience successfully negotiating online distribution deals.
• BS/BA required, MBA or JD a plus.
• Experience in developing and/or executing new products and programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly collaborative environment.
• Outstanding organization, presentation, verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrable analytical skills; Ability to distill a simple and compelling value proposition from an outwardly complex business opportunity.
• Demonstrated ability to grow major account relationships.
• High end sales experience helpful.
• Entrepreneurial experience helpful.

Personal Profile:

• Professional, personable, fun, hard working, interesting – someone we want on our team.
• Polished, sophisticated, creative deal maker.
• Entrepreneurial spirit, with a passion for effecting change.
• Relationship person, not just a transaction person.
• Lover of media – Websites, Music, Movies, Blogs, etc.
• Practical, execution-oriented. We are looking for a person of action, not a thinker of great thoughts. We need someone extremely smart, who understands that iteratively refined, real world execution is the only way to define a successful formula.
• Embraces accountability.
• Committed to Team.
• Trustworthy.

We encourage you to apply via LinkedIn