The Role

The Head of International Sales will own and drive the performance of William Collins and Fourth Estate in international markets, managing business with our overseas affiliates and distributors, and via colleagues operating in other markets. These two imprints within the prestigious HarperCollins trade stable are home to some of the world’s leading authors, from Chimamanda Nzgogie Adiche to Nigel Slater and Hilary Mantel to Max Hastings. You will be part of the team responsible for the commercial success of these authors and brands, helping to deliver growth for the Group and our affiliated international businesses worldwide.

Responsibilities:

• Accountability for the performance of divisional titles and imprints in international markets and territories, delivering on agreed growth targets and corporate objectives.

• Responsibility for ensuring that divisional publishing, marketing and publicity strategies take into account the needs of all international territories and markets, where relevant and as far as resource allows.

• Responsibility for the performance of the Group’s business with your designated markets/customers.

• Be a member of the group International Sales leadership team.

• Pro-active management of a Sales Executive.

Skills and Experience.

• Experience as Sales Manager or above in publishing.

• Proven record in handling major customers.

• Knowledge of overseas book markets.

• Strategic publishing/sales input (acquisitions, marketing etc).

• Working with publishing commercial tools (title P&Ls, budgets etc).

• A great sales person: results-driven, entrepreneurial, strong on relationships, and able to adapt to customers’ requirements but also to push them to support our priorities.

• A happy traveler, committed to getting to know your markets from the ground up.

• Good communicator, in person and remotely (phone/email).

• Accountable for your own decisions and results, but able to share credit where it’s due and acknowledge and learn from mistakes.

• Knowledgeable about key international markets and how our publishing can fit these markets

• Financially aware; able to make informed predictions and analyse results to inform future decision making.

• Organised, able to prioritise, agile and quick to respond to customers and internal stakeholders alike.

• A team player; effective with all colleagues, willing to help others where necessary, and contributing as widely as possible to our international success.

• An example for others to follow: aware of your own impact, willing to hold others to high standards and able to give and receive regular constructive feedback, and to help to shape the organisation you would like to work for.