Ad Sales Lead

Duolingo

Ad Sales Lead driving revenue for Duolingo's direct ad business in the Central region. Leading high-impact ad deals and building strategic client relationships.

Posted 7/28/2026full-timeRemote • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $140,000 - $210,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in direct digital ad sales with a focus on building senior client relationships and closing high-value deals. Proficient in leveraging ad tech and mobile app ecosystems to drive revenue outcomes and enhance advertiser experiences.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Direct Digital Ad SalesSenior Client Relationship ManagementPremium Video and Native Ad FormatsAd Tech and Mobile App EcosystemsNegotiation and Commercial Judgment

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Pipeline DevelopmentForecastingAccount PrioritizationProposal QualityCampaign Performance Assessment

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationPersuasive Presentation SkillsStrategic ThinkingInfluencing Senior Decision Makers

Tools & Technologies

CRM SystemsData Analysis Tools

Industry Keywords

Digital AdvertisingConsumer App EnvironmentsAccount ManagementAd OperationsMarket Feedback

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the Central region’s direct ads strategy and revenue outcomes, including named-account prioritization, pipeline development, forecasting, and quarterly execution.
Build and grow senior relationships across brands and agencies, opening new logos and expanding strategic accounts into long-term, high-value partnerships.
Lead complex, high-impact deals end-to-end, from prospecting and positioning through negotiation, close, renewal, and expansion.
Translate Duolingo’s unique strengths, including premium attention, native formats, character IP, and brand equity, into clear commercial narratives tailored to advertiser objectives.
Partner closely with Account Management, Ad Ops, Product, Design, and Engineering to move deals forward, shape feasible programs, and improve the advertiser and learner experience.
Share actionable market feedback with sales and product leadership to inform pricing, packaging, measurement, and future ad formats.
Help establish repeatable systems and standards for a growing ads business, including account planning, CRM hygiene, proposal quality, and pipeline rigor.

Requirements

What you’ll need

8+ years of experience in direct digital ad sales, with a strong track record of building senior client relationships and closing meaningful new business.
Success selling premium video and native/custom ad formats in digital, mobile, or consumer app environments.
Proven ability to operate as a senior seller in an early-stage or evolving business, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
Strong commercial judgment across pricing, packaging, negotiation, and account prioritization.
Ability to influence senior decision makers at brands and agencies while working effectively with cross-functional partners internally.
Strong understanding of ad tech and mobile app ecosystems, and comfort using data to assess campaign performance, shape proposals, and inform sales strategy.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with a clear, persuasive style and comfort operating in ambiguity.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Take a peek at how we care for our employees' holistic well-being with our benefits here.