Colorado Sun Hires Denver Manager to Boost Nonprofit Ad Revenue

The morning commute along Interstate 70 is a familiar rhythm for anyone living in the valleys between the Rockies and the high desert. Traffic crawls past Grand Junction, spills over the Colorado River, and eventually funnels toward Denver’s skyline. For local business owners watching that traffic flow, the question is whether their advertising dollars are actually reaching the people sitting in those cars.

The Colorado Sun has answered that question with a new hire. The nonprofit news organization is looking for a Manager of Sales and Business Development to sit in Denver, working hybrid, with a salary range of $70,000 to $85,000 plus uncapped commission.

This isn’t just another sales role. It’s a strategic push to stabilize revenue for independent journalism in a market where traditional ad models are crumbling. The position reports directly to the Director of Sales and Community Partnerships, sitting between an account executive and senior leadership. That structural detail matters. It suggests the Sun wants someone who can sell, but also someone who can help build the systems that make selling easier next year.

To hear them tell it, this role is designed for a "driven, strategic and relationship-oriented" seller. The job posting, published Tuesday by the Colorado Sun, outlines a clear mandate: grow advertising, event sponsorship, and partnership revenue across the organization.

That’s a lot of responsibilities for one person, especially in a hybrid role based out of Denver. But the Sun is betting that this manager can bridge the gap between local businesses and nonprofit journalism’s unique value proposition. The role requires managing a "significant book of business" with local companies, agencies, and community partners.

The compensation package reflects the pressure to perform. Base pay tops out at $85,000, but the uncapped commission structure means earnings could climb significantly if the manager hits their targets. There’s also potential for a performance-based bonus. That structure incentivizes growth, not just maintenance.

The role involves identifying new business categories and high-potential accounts across Colorado. It requires creating customized proposals that might include digital advertising, newsletter sponsorships, podcast integrations, and event sponsorships. The manager will use audience data, campaign performance, market research, and client feedback to strengthen those recommendations.

This is a shift from transactional selling to consultative partnerships. The posting notes the role requires someone who is "entrepreneurial, organized, consultative and energized by the opportunity to help build long-term revenue for independent nonprofit journalism."

That last phrase is key. Nonprofit journalism doesn’t have the same cash flow as a for-profit media conglomerate. They rely on this revenue to keep the lights on and the reporters in the field. The manager’s success directly impacts the newsroom’s ability to cover local issues — like water rights, energy development, or tourism shifts — that matter to folks around here.

The Sun is asking for someone who can lead renewal and growth conversations with assigned accounts. They need to identify opportunities to expand existing relationships into larger, longer-term, or multi-platform partnerships. This isn’t a job for someone who just wants to sell ad space and move on. It’s for someone who wants to build a book of business that sustains the organization.

The posting also highlights collaboration with marketing, audience, events, membership, editorial, and operations staff. That cross-departmental work is critical. It ensures that the sales team isn’t selling promises the editorial or events teams can’t deliver.

The question is whether this hybrid model will attract top talent willing to navigate the Denver market while keeping an eye on regional partners. The salary is competitive for mid-level sales management, but the uncapped commission adds risk and reward.

The Colorado Sun needs this role filled to maintain its growth trajectory. They’re not just looking for a seller; they’re looking for a builder. Someone who can take the existing revenue streams and expand them into new categories.

As the posting notes, this person will "help strengthen the systems, strategy and execution of The Sun’s sales work." That’s a tall order. But if they can do it, the Western Slope gets better coverage of its own business landscape.

"The Colorado Sun is seeking a driven, strategic and relationship-oriented Manager of Sales and Business Development to help grow advertising, event sponsorship and partnership revenue across the organization," the posting states. "This role is designed for an experienced seller who can manage a strong book of business, develop new revenue opportunities and help strengthen the systems, strategy and execution of The Sun’s sales work."