Ads, Senior Account Executive

Job Summary

The Senior Account Executive is a senior commercial leader responsible for driving revenue growth for Citi Ads by identifying, prospecting, and closing advertising partnerships with top‑tier brands and agencies, as well as partnering with these advertisers to ensure client success and grow the business. Reporting to the Head of Advertising Partnerships, this individual will lead the end‑to‑end sales process from pipeline development and executive‑level relationship building to pitch execution and campaign commitment, while serving as a strategic advisor to advertisers on how to leverage Citi’s unique first‑party data and commerce media capabilities.

This is a high‑impact, high‑visibility role at the forefront of Citi’s emerging media business. The Senior AE will work cross‑functionally with media planning, data, product, and measurement teams to translate advertiser goals into tailored solutions, and will play a key role in shaping the commercial strategy and go‑to‑market approach as the business scales.

• Own and grow a portfolio of advertiser relationships, proactively identifying and pursuing new business opportunities across brand direct and agency channels
• Lead the end‑to‑end advertiser pitch process from initial outreach and discovery through proposal development, negotiation, and campaign commitment
• Set the structure of initial campaigns and proof‑of‑concept engagements, including pricing strategy, audience support levels, and measurement frameworks
• Act as a trusted strategic advisor to brands and agencies, translating complex client marketing objectives into tailored media solutions leveraging Citi’s first‑party data and closed‑loop measurement
• Lead executive‑level meetings with senior stakeholders at prospective and existing client organizations; build long‑term partnerships that scale from test campaigns into recurring investment
• Represent Citi Ads at industry events and forums; develop and maintain relationships across holding companies, independent agencies, and brand‑direct marketing teams
• Maintain accurate pipeline reporting and track key commercial metrics including revenue attainment, deal velocity, and client retention
• Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm’s reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency, as well as effectively supervise the activity of others and create accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards

• 10+ years of experience in advertising sales, with a strong track record of closing complex, high‑value deals with major brands and/or agencies
• Demonstrated experience working with advertising partners to ensure mutual success and drive long‑term client growth
• Demonstrated experience selling media or advertising products with evolving capabilities, translating early‑stage offerings into compelling client narratives
• Deep relationships across the advertising ecosystem, including holding company agencies, independent agencies, and brand‑direct organizations
• Proven ability to build and maintain executive‑level (C‑suite and VP‑level) relationships
• Experience in solution selling; strong commercial instincts with the ability to structure deals, negotiate terms, and close at scale
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfortable in ambiguous, fast‑moving, high‑growth environments

• Experience in commerce media, retail media, card‑linked offers, or financial services advertising strongly preferred
• Familiarity with first‑party data, audience targeting, and closed‑loop measurement (e.g., ROAS, spend lift, conversion attribution)
• Background in launching or scaling a new media product or advertising business unit
• Existing relationships with senior marketing decision‑makers at Fortune 500 brands

• Bachelor’s/University degree required, Master’s degree preferred