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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sales and marketing strategies for EMEA, driving growth and revenue.
- Company: Join Lonely Planet, a renowned guidebook publisher with over 50 years of travel expertise.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for creativity and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a legacy brand, shaping the future of travel content and making an impact.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in senior sales & marketing roles, preferably in publishing; strong industry connections required.
- Other info: Ideal for passionate individuals eager to innovate in a high-performance culture.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
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
Contact Detail:
Lonely Planet Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Sales & Marketing, EMEA
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, book fairs, and conferences where you can meet key players in the publishing world. Building relationships with professionals in the EMEA region will not only help you understand the market better but also open doors for potential opportunities at Lonely Planet.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on industry trends and market intelligence. Subscribe to relevant publications and follow thought leaders in the publishing sector. This knowledge will not only enhance your conversations during interviews but also demonstrate your passion and commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience with successful marketing campaigns. Prepare specific examples of how you've driven revenue growth in previous roles. Being able to articulate your achievements will set you apart as a candidate who can deliver results for Lonely Planet.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your public speaking skills. As a senior leader, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Practice presenting your ideas clearly and confidently, as this will be crucial when discussing strategies and engaging with partners.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Sales & Marketing, EMEA
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your 10+ years of experience in senior sales and marketing roles within the publishing industry. Emphasise any specific achievements related to revenue growth and successful marketing campaigns, particularly in the UK or EMEA.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for travel and travel publishing. Discuss how your background aligns with Lonely Planet's goals and how you can contribute to their growth strategy. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships and drive sales.
Showcase Your Industry Knowledge: Highlight your understanding of both physical and online book retail in your application. Mention any relevant tools you are conversant with, such as ONIX, and how they have helped you in previous roles to improve sales and marketing efforts.
Demonstrate Leadership Skills: Since this role involves managing a small team and external sales force, be sure to include examples of your leadership experience. Discuss how you've successfully managed teams, improved processes, and driven performance in past positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lonely Planet
✨Showcase Your Industry Connections
As a Director of Sales & Marketing, your network is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your existing relationships within the book industry and how you can leverage them to benefit the company. Highlight specific examples of how you've opened doors or built networks in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Strategic Thinking
This role requires setting growth strategies and hitting ambitious targets. Come prepared with ideas on how you would approach these challenges. Discuss any past experiences where you successfully implemented a sales strategy or marketing campaign that led to significant growth.
✨Prepare for Data-Driven Discussions
You’ll need to manage performance against objectives and deliver market intelligence. Brush up on relevant data management tools and be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in your previous roles. Bring examples of how data has driven your marketing initiatives.
✨Exhibit Your Passion for Travel Publishing
Lonely Planet is all about travel and exploration. Make sure to convey your enthusiasm for travel publishing during the interview. Share personal experiences or insights that demonstrate your passion and understanding of the industry, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
