Position Overview:
Lonely Planet, the world’s leading guidebook publisher, is looking for a Director of Sales & Marketing to bring new ideas and growth strategies to its biggest sales region, EMEA. This exciting role is responsible for setting a growth strategy, hitting ambitious revenue targets, and implementing creative and effective marketing campaigns both in the UK and across our huge range of export markets.
We’re looking for a well-connected book industry professional who can open new doors, reconfigure our sales relationships and build stronger networks across the industry at an exciting time of investment and growth for a brand with more than 50 years of history in producing best-in-class travel content.
What You’ll Do:
- Set and deliver annual targets and longer-term sales and marketing strategy in both UK and export markets
- Build strong, professional relationships with key retail, distribution partners and customers
- Actively manage our 3rd party distributor relationships across the UK and EMEA
- Manage a small team of internal sales managers and an external contracted sales force
- Regularly manage partner performance against agreed objectives with timely reviews
- Partner with and work alongside Lonely Planet’s internal marketing team to drive compelling trade marketing initiatives that drive revenue and deliver a ROI
- Via new or existing contacts drive special sales opportunities from the depth of the Lonely Planet backlist
- Careful data management to ensure orders are being met and returns minimised
- Deliver market intelligence and trend information to our publishing team to drive product development and new title creation
- As a senior leader, work to improve processes, ideas and efficiency throughout our Publishing business
What We’re Looking For:
- 10 years in a senior sales & marketing role within the publishing industry, preferably with experience in the UK or EMEA
- Deep understanding of book retail - both physical and online
- Direct experience with the creation and delivery of marketing campaigns
- Master of cross-functional communications, with experience interfacing with a mix of internal and external teams
- Confident public speaker who can persuasively express the opportunity and develop a narrative using data
- Conversant in industry specific tools including, but not limited to, ONIX
- Consultative and curious, with a learning mindset
- At your best in a high performance culture
- Both analytical and creative
- Passionate about travel and travel publishing