Strategic Partnerships Manager - Political & Public Affairs

Strategic Partnerships Manager - Political & Public Affairs Vertical

McClatchy | West Coast Division

Location: California / Sacramento or Los Angeles Area (Field-based / Remote)

Position Type: Full-Time

McClatchy, a leader in local and regional media, is seeking a strategic and results-oriented Account Executive to lead revenue development across California and the West Coast. With a powerful portfolio of iconic West Coast publications-including The Sacramento Bee, The Fresno Bee, and The Modesto Bee-McClatchy pairs a legacy of trusted regional journalism with a sophisticated, data-driven digital marketing suite that allows our clients to reach key decision-makers and voters with precision and impact.

Our mission has never been more vital. As a successful candidate, you will be the bridge between our first-class digital portfolio and the fast-paced political arena, leveraging data, innovation, and unmatched regional reach to drive measurable revenue growth and shape the conversations driving Western policy.

The anticipated base pay range for this position is between $80,000 and $95,000 annually. Individual base pay may vary within that range depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, relevant education, department equity, training, geography, and local wage and hours laws.

Primary Responsibilities

• Vertical Mastery: Act as a subject matter expert in the political, government, and advocacy space, deeply understanding California policy initiatives, ballot measures, and legislative calendars.
• Strategic Business Development: Adopt a "Hunter" mentality to identify, qualify, and secure new revenue streams from political campaigns, PACs, trade associations, and public affairs firms across the West Coast.
• Consultative Selling: Conduct deep-dive campaign assessments to understand complex legislative or electoral objectives and design highly targeted multi-platform issue-advocacy solutions.
• Solution Engineering: Develop and deliver compelling marketing strategies utilizing McClatchy's full suite of products, including high-impact display, programmatic geotargeting, social media amplification, CTV/OTT, and custom branded content.
• Relationship Management: Build long-term, trust-based partnerships with leading political consultants, media buying agencies, and corporate advocacy directors.
• Operational Excellence: Maintain rigorous pipeline management and accurate records of sales activities, compliance tracking, and revenue forecasts within rapid-fire political windows using CRM tools.

Desired Experience & Qualifications

• Industry Knowledge: Proven experience working directly with political campaigns, issue-advocacy groups, or within the California public affairs ecosystem.
• Digital Fluency: A strong background in digital marketing and advertising, with a proven track record of selling custom digital solutions (Programmatic, Social, First-Party Data targeting, etc.).
• Sales Excellence: Demonstrated ability in strategic prospecting, high-stakes negotiation, and closing business under tight deadlines through a persuasive, solutions-oriented approach.
• Agility & Collaboration: The ability to pivot instantly in a high-pressure, rapidly evolving political environment without losing quality, while collaborating constructively with cross-functional media teams.
• Communication: Exceptional presentation and writing skills with the ability to earn the trust of high-profile political operatives and translate policy goals into media strategies.

Requirements

• Education: A combination of knowledge and experience equivalent to a B.A. or B.S. Degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, Marketing, or a related field.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in HubSpot, Salesforce, or equivalent CRM tools; daily CRM utilization for pipeline tracking is required.
• Logistics: Must be located in California (Sacramento or Los Angeles regions preferred). A valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and valid vehicle insurance are required for frequent regional travel.

Professional Offerings

• Compensation: Base salary plus commission with uncapped earning potential.
• Advancement: Clear opportunities for professional growth within a nationally recognized media organization.
• Benefits: Full suite of benefits including a 401(k) with company match.
• Culture: A fast-paced, professional, and mission-driven work environment aligned with major news cycles.

McClatchy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports a Drug-Free Environment.

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