Junior Commercial Associate — Works in Progress

Location: London, in office
Reports to: Head of Commercial and Audiovisual, Works in Progress
Salary: £30k-35k

About Works in Progress

Works in Progress is Stripe’s magazine of new and underrated ideas to improve the world. We publish an eclectic mix of articles on policy, economics, business, technology, science, history, arts and culture.

Our audience is growing quickly and includes people making things happen, particularly in technology and politics. We are expanding the commercial side of the magazine—including advertising, subscriptions, events and partnerships—and are looking for an ambitious graduate to help us build it.

The role

This is an entry-level commercial role for a recent graduate who is ambitious, organised and excited to learn quickly in a small, entrepreneurial team.

You will work closely with the Director of Commercial and Audiovisual across the magazine’s commercial activity: advertising, subscriptions, events, marketing and partnerships. You will help keep commercial projects moving by conducting research, supporting outreach, maintaining pipelines and trackers, following up with prospective partners, and contributing to growth experiments.

You will learn by doing: writing outbound emails, building target lists, preparing materials, tracking results, joining calls and following up consistently. It is a strong opportunity for someone who wants early exposure to senior commercial work and meaningful responsibility from the start of their career.

What you’ll do

• Support the advertising sales process, including preparing rate cards, pitch decks, outreach and pipeline materials.

• Research and build target lists of potential advertisers, sponsors, agencies, founders, investors and partners.

• Draft clear, thoughtful outbound emails and follow-ups.

• Maintain accurate CRM records, commercial trackers and reporting.

• Support subscription growth through acquisition and retention ideas, and help measure their effectiveness.

• Help develop the events business, including sponsor research, partnership outreach and event planning support.

• Assist with early marketing and growth experiments across paid acquisition, referrals, partnerships, direct mail and audience development.

• Prepare decks, reports and briefing materials that help commercial conversations move forward.

• Join meetings and calls with clients, partners and agencies, taking notes and supporting follow-up.

• Help turn commercial ideas into clear proposals with pricing, positioning and next steps.

• Work across sales, marketing, events and subscriptions, adapting quickly as priorities evolve.

• Take on the practical, sometimes unglamorous work needed to help a small business grow.

We’re looking for someone who

• Is a recent graduate, or has equivalent early-career experience.

• Is excited by commercial work and motivated by helping ideas turn into revenue.

• Is interested in sales, marketing, partnerships, media, events or business development.

• Is highly organised and comfortable managing lists, trackers and multiple follow-ups.

• Is numerate and confident using spreadsheets.

• Is a sharp, clear writer who can communicate professionally over email and in presentations.

• Is proactive, resilient and comfortable reaching out to people they do not know.

• Is curious, resourceful and willing to learn quickly.

• Enjoys working in a small team where everyone pitches in.

• Is comfortable with both high-profile opportunities and repetitive operational work, such as researching prospects and following up on outreach.

• Has an interest in media, publishing, technology, economics, policy or culture. Previous media or publishing experience is helpful but not required.

Working at Works in Progress

This role is based in London and requires working from the office every day. You will be part of a small, ambitious team that cares deeply about the magazine and its growth. In return, you will get a steep learning curve, close mentorship and the chance to contribute directly to building the commercial future of Works in Progress.