The Bookseller is the leading trade magazine for the book publishing industry in the UK. Founded in 1858, we are fiercely independent.  The Bookseller is a weekly print magazine and website available via subscription, and we run The British Book Awards, The YA Book Prize and the Marketing & Publicity, Children’s and FutureBook conferences. 

The Bookseller is part of The Stage Media Company. The Stage Media Company, based in London Bridge, is dedicated to providing up-to-date news and services for the UK’s theatre and book publishing industries with two key titles: The Stage and The Bookseller. Both The Stage and The Bookseller are established leaders within their respective fields, offering industry news, authoritative reviews/interviews and insightful features.

We are seeking a highly motivated and results-orientated individual to join The Bookseller team. As Partnerships & Sales Manager you will play a critical role in driving the revenue for The Bookseller.

Reporting directly to the Events, Sales and Marketing Director, you will be responsible for developing and executing sales strategies, leading a small team of sales representatives and achieving events sponsorship and ticket sales revenue targets for your title. You will be responsible for revenue generation on some of the top events in the book publishing calendar including The British Book Awards and Futurebook Conference.

Experience of the book publishing industry would be an asset and experience of events sales is essential.

What you will do:

Client Relationship Management & Sales:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, partners, and stakeholders understanding their business needs and providing tailored media solutions, including sponsorship opportunities, event attendance, print and digital advertising
• Conduct regular client meetings, presentations, and negotiations to secure new business and ensure client satisfaction. Deliver persuasive and professional sales presentations to clients, highlighting the unique selling points of your title and showcasing its value to their business.
• Grow corporate subscription sales via new business engagement and retention efforts.
• Develop and implement comprehensive sponsorship strategies by identifying potential sponsors, developing compelling packages. Proactively prospect and engage potential sponsors, building relationships and closing sponsorship deals.
• Grow corporate/group ticket sales to key events, awards and conferences.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, offering recommendations to maximize the value of their partnership with our company

Sales and Planning

• Collaborate with the Sales and Marketing Director to develop and execute comprehensive sales strategies.
• Identify new market opportunities, target segments, and innovative approaches to drive revenue growth.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to stay abreast of industry trends and identify potential areas for business expansion.

Team Management and Leadership

• Lead and inspire a small team of sales representatives, fostering a high-performance culture within the department.
• Regularly monitor progress, provide coaching, guidance, support and performance feedback to ensure the team achieves individual and collective success.
• Foster a positive culture of collaboration, motivation, and continuous improvement within the wider sales team alongside the sales manager.

Sales Operations and Reporting

• Conduct regular analysis of sales data and performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of sales strategies.
• Work in conjunction with the Sales Management Team to identify areas for improvement, streamline and optimise results across both titles.
• Share insights with the other Sales Manager and the Sales and Marketing Director to identify new business opportunities and ensure both titles remain competitive.
• Prepare regular sales reports and present them directly to the Sales and Marketing Director, providing updates on progress, challenges, and opportunities for both titles.
• Assist the Sales and Marketing Director in the development and management of the sales department's budget, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to achieve desired revenue outcomes for both titles.
• Create and maintain a strong working relationship with internal stakeholders across the business including the marketing and editorial teams.

What we are looking for:

• Demonstrated experience in driving revenue growth, meeting or exceeding sales targets, and managing a high-performing sales team preferably publishing industry.
• Strong team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team.
• Strong understanding of media sales and billing processes, including digital advertising, content monetization and sponsorship sales.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong and productive working relationships at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective sales strategies and lead a team to achieve sales targets.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data and make data-driven decisions.
• Familiarity with industry trends, market dynamics, and emerging opportunities.

This may be a good fit for you if you have:

• Degree level education or equivalent
• Proficiency in using CRM systems and sales tools to manage and analyse sales data.
• Ability to think creatively and develop innovative sales approaches.
• Experience in B2B events sales (a strong advantage)

Other information:

Normal working hours are 9am - 5pm, with occasional evening or weekend work to cover events. This role offers a hybrid working arrangement, requiring at least three days a week at our office on Bermondsey Street, SE1, with opportunities for remote work on the other days.

Please note we start screening CVs and interviewing candidates from the start of a campaign. A successful candidate could progress to offer before the advertised closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible if you are interested.

Closing date - 31st March

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background, and celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences that diversity brings.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let us know. We are here to support you and ensure you have the best possible experience.