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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 54000 - 84000 £ 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 (City of London)
✨Tip Number 1
Network actively within the publishing industry, especially focusing on EMEA connections. Attend industry events, webinars, and conferences to meet key players and establish relationships that could lead to opportunities at Lonely Planet.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Lonely Planet's current marketing strategies and sales performance. Understanding their approach will allow you to propose innovative ideas that align with their goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with data management and market intelligence. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've used data to drive sales and marketing decisions in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your public speaking skills by engaging in discussions or panels related to travel publishing. This will not only enhance your confidence but also demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively, a key requirement for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Sales & Marketing, EMEA (City of London)
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 improved processes and efficiency in past positions, and how you plan to do the same at Lonely Planet.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lonely Planet
✨Showcase Your Industry Knowledge
Make sure to demonstrate your deep understanding of the publishing industry, especially in relation to sales and marketing. Be prepared to discuss current trends, challenges, and opportunities within the EMEA market, as well as how you can leverage this knowledge to drive growth for Lonely Planet.
✨Highlight Your Network
Since the role requires building strong relationships with key partners, come ready to talk about your existing connections in the book industry. Share specific examples of how you've successfully opened doors or reconfigured sales relationships in the past.
✨Prepare for Data-Driven Discussions
As a candidate for a senior position, you should be comfortable discussing data management and market intelligence. Prepare to explain how you've used data to inform marketing strategies or improve sales performance, and be ready to provide examples of successful campaigns you've led.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This role involves managing a small team and working cross-functionally. Be prepared to share your leadership philosophy and provide examples of how you've motivated teams, improved processes, or driven efficiency in previous roles. Show that you're not just a manager, but a leader who inspires others.
