Senior Sales Manager - Adult Fiction, Mass Market (Hybrid)

Senior Sales Manager - Adult Fiction, Mass Market (Hybrid)

Full-Time 45000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Hachette UK

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead sales for adult fiction and drive growth in mass market channels.
  • Company: Join Bonnier Books UK, a leading publisher passionate about storytelling.
  • Benefits: Enjoy private health insurance, flexible working, and 28 days holiday.
  • Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in the publishing world while nurturing diverse voices.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in sales with strong relationships in trade accounts.

The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.

Reporting to: Deputy Sales Director, Adult

Location: 5th Floor, HYLO, 105 Bunhill Row, London, EC1Y 8LZ

Working pattern: Hybrid - minimum of two days per week in the office; up to three days per week working from home

Department: Sales

Imprint: Adult Division

Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum, depending on experience

Duration: Twelve-month fixed-term contract

Step into a senior sales role overseeing fiction sales across mass market and key trade accounts. At Bonnier Books UK, we believe that every book matters. We love to publish stories and content that open our eyes to new perspectives and bring us closer together. We offer a nurturing home for our authors, illustrators and brand partners, publishing bestselling books for readers and listeners everywhere. We know that fantastic stories can come from anywhere and our purpose is to bring them to as wide an audience as possible, a simple ethos that has led to us becoming one of the country’s leading publishers.

A unique and exciting opportunity to join the Bonnier Books UK Sales team, with a clear remit to grow our business across Bonnier Books UK Adult division with a focus on fiction. As well as working co-operatively with the Deputy Sales Director to deliver the ambitious growth targets for the adult division, you will also have total ownership for sales in mass market channels, with added responsibility for children’s sales in this sector. Internally the ideal candidate will be able to provide a strong strategic steer for our fiction list, leading the conversation with our commercial literary imprint Manilla, our regional fiction, as well as the powerhouse commercial fiction list at Zaffre. The role would suit an ambitious and analytical individual, with the ability to balance the market facing commercial and strategic thinking required to successfully influence the division, alongside a strong personal appreciation for a wide variety of trade facing fiction.

Key responsibilities:

  • Building and developing the Bonnier Books UK Adult division in collaboration with the Deputy Sales Director.
  • Full ownership of all the Adult UK Fiction Trade sales into the mass market sector.
  • Shared management responsibility for UK sales executive.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Ideally a senior key account manager or sales manager looking for greater product influence and the next step in their career.
  • At least 5 years’ experience handling trade facing key accounts, ideally with existing relationships either direct or managerial across supermarket & high street accounts.
  • Minimum 1-2 years attending and contributing to the acquisitions process in house.
  • Experience selling and influencing the direction of a wide range of Adult Trade facing Fiction.

Company Benefits:

  • Private health insurance.
  • Holiday purchase scheme.
  • Contributory pension scheme.
  • 28 days holiday plus bank holidays.
  • Lively social committee hosting regular events.
  • Group Life cover - including 24-hour GP service.
  • Company-funded gym membership for all trade staff.
  • Comprehensive staff training and mentorship programmes.
  • Flexible working and flexible hours from day one of employment.
  • Additional holiday allowance accrued for long service – and a full bonus week of holiday to celebrate your 10th year at BBUK.
  • Enhanced family leave - with equal six months’ paid leave for all new parents.
  • Employee assistance programme available to all employees and their families.
  • Dedicated volunteering hours each year to support charities promoting literacy and reading for pleasure.
  • Cycle to work scheme with bike storage and changing facilities on-site at our London HQ.
  • Wellbeing programme and daily benefits such as fresh fruit and porridge in the office.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under‑represented in the creative industries.

Senior Sales Manager - Adult Fiction, Mass Market (Hybrid) employer: Hachette UK

Bonnier Books UK is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where every employee's contribution is valued. With a strong focus on personal and professional growth, the company offers comprehensive training programmes, flexible working arrangements, and generous benefits including private health insurance and enhanced family leave. Located in the heart of London, employees enjoy a dynamic environment that encourages creativity and collaboration, making it an ideal place for those passionate about storytelling and literature.

Hachette UK

Contact Details:

Hachette UK Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Sales Manager - Adult Fiction, Mass Market (Hybrid)

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up social media platforms like LinkedIn. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that Senior Sales Manager role.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research Bonnier Books UK and their adult fiction division. Know their bestselling titles and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their growth. We want to see your passion for fiction and how you can drive sales!

Tip Number 3

Show off your achievements! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your past successes in sales. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've influenced trade accounts and grown sales in previous roles. We love to see results!

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining the Bonnier Books UK family. Let’s make this happen together!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Sales Manager - Adult Fiction, Mass Market (Hybrid)

Sales Management
Key Account Management
Strategic Thinking
Analytical Skills
Relationship Building
Market Analysis
Trade Sales Experience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that align with the Senior Sales Manager role. Highlight your achievements in sales, especially in adult fiction and mass market channels, to show us you’re the right fit.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about fiction and how your background makes you the perfect candidate for this role. Don’t forget to mention your strategic thinking and relationship-building skills!

Showcase Your Industry Knowledge:We want to see that you know your stuff! Mention any relevant trends in the adult fiction market or key accounts you’ve worked with. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and your ability to influence the division.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Hachette UK

Know Your Fiction

Make sure you’re well-versed in the current trends and key titles in adult fiction. Familiarise yourself with Bonnier Books UK’s catalogue, especially the commercial fiction list at Zaffre and the literary imprint Manilla. This will show your passion for the genre and your understanding of what sells.

Showcase Your Sales Strategy

Prepare to discuss your previous sales experiences and how they relate to the mass market sector. Think about specific strategies you've implemented that led to growth in sales, especially in trade-facing accounts. Be ready to share examples that highlight your analytical skills and strategic thinking.

Build Rapport with the Interviewers

Since this role involves collaboration with the Deputy Sales Director and other team members, focus on building a connection during the interview. Ask insightful questions about their vision for the adult division and express your enthusiasm for contributing to their goals.

Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills

As you’ll be managing a sales executive, it’s crucial to convey your leadership style. Share experiences where you’ve successfully led a team or influenced others, particularly in a sales context. Highlight your ability to motivate and guide others towards achieving ambitious targets.