Director of Sales & Marketing, EMEA (London Area)

Position Overview:

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