Ad Sales Lead

Our mission at Duolingo is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available.

Join us to build Duolingo Ads, Duolingo's direct ad business. As an Ad Sales Lead in the Central region, you will set regional strategy, build a high-quality pipeline, cultivate senior relationships with brands and agencies, and close high-impact deals.

Responsibilities:

• Own the Central region's direct ads strategy and revenue outcomes
• Build and grow senior relationships across brands and agencies
• Lead complex, high-impact deals end-to-end
• Translate Duolingo's unique strengths into clear commercial narratives
• Partner closely with Account Management, Ad Ops, Product, Design, and Engineering
• Share actionable market feedback with sales and product leadership
• Help establish repeatable systems and standards for a growing ads business

Requirements:

• 8+ years of experience in direct digital ad sales
• 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
• Strong commercial judgment across pricing, packaging, negotiation, and account prioritization
• Ability to influence senior decision makers at brands and agencies
• Strong understanding of ad tech and mobile app ecosystems
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

Exceptional candidates will have:

• Established relationships with senior brand and agency leaders across the Central region
• Experience building a direct ads business from 0→1 or scaling a newer ads product
• Experience shaping go-to-market strategy, sales process, or regional coverage models
• Familiarity with managed-service and programmatic sales motions