At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales for bestselling authors and brands across various publishing divisions.
- Company: Join Bloomsbury, a leading publisher with a diverse portfolio of renowned authors.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 25 days holiday, wellness days, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Full-time, 12-month contract with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of an ambitious growth strategy and make a real impact in publishing.
- Qualifications: Strong client relationship skills, negotiation expertise, and commercial awareness required.
The Key Account Manager will contribute towards our ambitious growth strategy for the Special Sales channel working across all Bloomsbury publishing divisions to sell our extraordinary list of bestselling authors and brands. Our list encompasses Children’s, Head of Zeus, Adult Trade, Cookery and Lifestyle including the following authors: William Dalrymple, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Johan Hari, Elodie Harper, Dan Jones, SJ Maas, Madeline Miller, Poppy O’Toole, J.K Rowling and Katherine Rundell.
The candidate will have responsibility for sales made to a range of Special Sales accounts with a specific focus on driving backlist strategy in close collaboration with publishing teams.
- Manage a varied portfolio of accounts, creating and ensuring best practise is followed at all times.
- Actively identify new business opportunities in the non-trade and non-traditional retail sector.
- Demonstrate commercial awareness and an in depth understanding of P&Ls in order to build bulk print runs working closely with the UK Sales and Export teams to maximise ROI for the business.
- Represent the Special Sales team at relevant internal meetings, providing market insight, contributing to and shaping sales strategy.
- Feed into internal reporting across all publishing divisions, including, but not restricted to business reviews, acquisition discussions and weekly sales updates.
Skills, knowledge, experience
- Demonstrate excellent client relationship building and development skills.
- Self-starter, able to use initiative with excellent problem solving skills.
- Strong negotiation skills with a clear understanding of the commercials.
- Knowledge of Biblio, Vista, Nielsen and Cognos would be advantageous.
- Skilled at Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
The full job advert for this role can be viewed by clicking the ‘Apply’ button.
Bloomsbury Benefits
- Hybrid working pattern of: 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred)
- 25 days holiday
- 3.5 days Christmas company holiday
- Two paid Personal Wellness Days
- Flexible Fridays
- Work Anywhere Fortnight
- Season Ticket Loan
- Share save Scheme
- AXA Healthcare Plan (Private Medical Insurance)
- Peppy Health App
- In-house Doctor
- Eye care Voucher Scheme
And a range of other benefits as listed on our company website: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/connect/work-with-us/rewarding-you/
Additional information
The role is a full-time, 12 month fixed term contract position. Due to start by April 2026.
Salary per annum: £35,000 - £38,000
Application Deadline: 23:59 on Friday 23rd of January 2026
Bloomsbury reserve the right to close the role early if we exceed the required number of applications.
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.
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Key Account Manager employer: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
At Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that champions creativity and innovation. As an Editorial Director in our Fiction team, you will benefit from a collaborative environment that encourages professional growth and the opportunity to shape the future of women’s fiction. Located in a vibrant publishing hub, we offer competitive benefits and a commitment to nurturing talent, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about literature and storytelling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Key Account Manager
✨Dive Into the Publishing Community
Get involved with local or online publishing communities. Join forums, attend literary festivals, or participate in panel discussions. This can be a goldmine for meeting industry professionals and hearing about opportunities that aren't advertised yet.
✨Stay Updated with Industry Trends
Follow leading publishing media channels on social media, like Twitter and Instagram. See what tactics and content formats are currently trending. This knowledge can help you tailor your discussions when you're networking or at interviews with companies like Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
✨Make Your Passion Visible
If you have a blog or a social media presence focused on books or publishing, use it! Share your thoughts on recent publications, trends in the industry, or interviews with authors. This can showcase your passion and knowledge, making you stand out as a candidate.
✨Hunt for Opportunities on Company Websites
While job boards are useful, don’t forget to go directly to company websites, like Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. They often post openings there first. Plus, you might find job descriptions that give insight into what skills they really value, which can help you ace that interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Key Account Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Writing Style:In the publishing-media world, your writing style is your signature. Make sure your CV highlights relevant writing experiences, whether that's published articles, blog posts, or even social media content. Give us a glimpse of your voice and flair for storytelling right from the start!
Include Relevant Projects:Don’t just list your roles; include specific projects you've worked on that demonstrate your skills in editing, research, or content creation. If you've contributed to a magazine or worked on a publication, make that front and centre! It shows you've got hands-on experience in the industry, which we absolutely love.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Let’s be honest: a generic cover letter is a missed opportunity. Take the time to craft a letter that speaks to why you’re passionate about this role at Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Mention what excites you about the publishing-media industry and how your skills align with the job description. We want to see that enthusiasm!
Format Matters!:In the publishing-media sector, presentation is key. Ensure your CV and cover letter are well-organised and visually appealing. Use headings, bullet points, and a clean layout. This isn't just about aesthetics — it shows your attention to detail and professionalism, which we really appreciate at Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
✨Know Your Stuff: Be Ready on Industry Trends
Get yourself clued up on the latest trends in the publishing-media world. Think about how digital transformation is impacting the industry, and be ready to chat about relevant examples. This shows you're not just passionate but also informed!
✨Showcase Your Creativity with a Portfolio
Bring along a portfolio that showcases your writing, editing, or design work. Since it’s a full-time role, they’ll want to see how your style fits their brand at Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Tailor your presentation to their projects for maximum impact.
✨Brush Up on Editing Techniques
Expect some technical questions about editing styles, proofing techniques, and style guides. They might ask you to solve a practical problem or provide feedback on a piece—know the tools and software commonly used in the industry, and be prepared to discuss them!
✨Express Your Passion for Storytelling
In the publishing-media field, storytelling is key. Be ready to discuss what stories inspire you and why you want to join the team at Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Let your enthusiasm shine through; they want to know you're genuinely interested in contributing to their narratives!
