Director: Sales in Oxford

Director: Sales in Oxford

Oxford Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the sales function across ANZ, driving growth and building high-performance teams.
  • Company: Join Oxford University Press, a trusted leader in Education with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Flexible work options, comprehensive wellbeing programs, and professional development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in education while leading innovative sales strategies.
  • Qualifications: Proven sales leadership experience and strong customer management skills.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

About the Role

We are looking for a talented and highly driven Director: Sales to join our Senior Management Team (SMT) for leading the full Sales function across Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand, with accountability for all sales teams, channels, and customer segments. The role sets and executes a bold, competitive sales strategy to deliver sustainable growth in market while strengthening OUP’s brand and reputation as a trusted leader in Education.

As a senior member of the executive leadership team, the role contributes to ANZ strategy and decision making, works collaboratively across Publishing, Finance, Marketing, Operations, and Business Development, and constructively challenges the status quo to unlock competitive advantage as market conditions, customer expectations, and competitive dynamics evolve. The role builds a high-performance sales organisation, ensures disciplined execution across states and channels, and maintains strong customer and partner relationships, underpinned by robust use of Salesforce, high-quality reporting, and accurate forecasting.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead the end-to-end Sales function across ANZ, including all sales teams, channels, and customer segments, to deliver sustained growth and commercial performance.
  • Set and execute the overall Sales strategy, ensuring alignment with business strategy and long-term organisational objectives.
  • Plan, direct, and continuously evolve sales execution in response to changing market dynamics, customer needs, and competitive pressures.
  • Build and sustain OUP’s brand and reputation as a leader in Education across all markets and customer groups through strong customer engagement and educational credibility.
  • Create and lead a culture of high performance, motivation, accountability, and success across the entire sales organisation.
  • Ensure sales teams operate as product experts and Education experts, with deep understanding of curriculum, pedagogy, and customer needs.
  • Improve customer acquisition, reach, retention, and territory coverage across all ANZ sales portfolios.
  • Manage and support key customers, including major institutional customers, resellers, and strategic partners, to drive growth and long-term value.
  • Work closely with Marketing to drive lead generation, improve lead quality, and embed disciplined end to end lead management.
  • Partner with Product and Digital teams on product lifecycle management to ensure sales strategies are aligned to market needs and product roadmaps.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Business Development on new sales opportunities, partnerships, and growth initiatives where appropriate.
  • Embed best practice sales processes across all teams, including KPIs and lead measures, segmentation frameworks, and disciplined territory and planning cycles.
  • Build organisational capability through structured training, coaching, and leadership development across all sales roles.
  • Recruit, develop, and set clear objectives for high performing sales leaders and teams, building depth, succession, and future capability.
  • Own and oversee the effective use of Salesforce across the sales function, ensuring high quality pipeline management, reporting, forecasting, and data led decision making.
  • Deliver sales, profit, and overhead targets, regularly reviewing performance and implementing corrective action as required.
  • Lead major sales related projects, including CRM optimisation, sales effectiveness initiatives, channel strategy changes, and capability programs.
  • Ensure governance and compliance with OUP Group policies, maintaining consistent standards, clear communication, and risk management across the sales function.
  • Act as a senior leader of the business, contributing to organisational decision making, cross functional leadership, and the overall success of OUP ANZ.

About You

  • Senior sales leadership with a track record of winning in competitive markets and delivering sustained growth.
  • Commercial and strategic capability, with the ability to set a clear direction and execute at pace.
  • People leadership, building high-performing teams with high standards and strong accountability.
  • Key customer and partner management, with the confidence to negotiate firmly and strategically.
  • Sales operations and CRM discipline, with hands-on Salesforce experience and rigorous forecasting accuracy.
  • Education or adjacent sector experience.
  • Change leadership, including challenging legacy approaches where needed.
  • Cross-functional collaboration with Marketing and Product.
  • Regional or international exposure.
  • Wholesale or partner-led sales models.

Highly flexible working environment

  • Two work-from-home days per week and rostered Friday afternoons off (fortnightly).
  • Access to contemporary offices and facilities close to Southern Cross Station.
  • Varied learning and development opportunities.
  • The opportunity to support Skyline Education Foundation through our Workplace Giving Program.
  • Comprehensive wellbeing program, including an EAP available to you and your family.
  • Other enterprise level benefits including Long Service Leave at 5 years, 2 days of paid Volunteering Leave and Study Leave per year and more.

Apply now! If you possess the right skills for this role and want to join our hardworking and motivated team, please submit your cover letter and full resume, telling us why you are the best person for the job, in one PDF.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, learn and work.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating a workplace that values diversity, equity and inclusion and ensures equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from First Nations peoples and from people of all backgrounds, including people with disability, who bring diverse perspectives, lived experience, and community connections. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know so we can support your participation.

We are committed to supporting diversity in our workforce, and ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek to employ a workforce representative of the markets that we serve and encourage applications from all.

Director: Sales in Oxford employer: OUP

Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. With flexible working arrangements, comprehensive wellbeing programs, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The opportunity to lead a high-performance sales organisation in the education sector, coupled with access to varied learning and development opportunities, makes this role particularly rewarding for those passionate about making a meaningful impact.
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Contact Detail:

OUP Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director: Sales in Oxford

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the education sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research the company, understand their sales strategy, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Practice common interview questions and come armed with examples of your past successes in sales.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your knowledge of curriculum and pedagogy. Make it clear that you’re not just a sales leader, but also someone who understands the educational landscape.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at StudySmarter. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

We think you need these skills to ace Director: Sales in Oxford

Sales Leadership
Strategic Planning
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Salesforce Proficiency
Forecasting Accuracy
Team Building
Negotiation Skills
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Change Management
Market Analysis
Performance Management
Lead Generation
Coaching and Development
Commercial Acumen
Education Sector Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Cover Letter: Make sure your cover letter speaks directly to the role of Director: Sales. Highlight your experience in leading sales teams and executing strategies that align with our mission at OUP. We want to see how you can contribute to our growth!

Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your resume, focus on quantifiable achievements in your previous roles. Did you boost sales by a certain percentage or lead a successful project? We love numbers and results that demonstrate your impact!

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who fits well with our culture and values. Share your passion for education and how it drives your sales approach – we want to know what makes you tick!

Follow Application Instructions: Make sure to submit your cover letter and resume as one PDF, just like we ask. Attention to detail is key, and following instructions shows us you can execute effectively. Apply through our website to ensure your application gets to us smoothly!

How to prepare for a job interview at OUP

✨Know Your Sales Strategy

Before the interview, make sure you understand the sales strategy of the company you're applying to. Research their current market position and think about how your experience can align with their goals. Be ready to discuss how you would set and execute a competitive sales strategy.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Director: Sales, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've built high-performing teams in the past. Think about specific instances where you motivated your team or improved accountability, and be ready to share these stories.

✨Understand Customer Needs

Familiarise yourself with the customer segments and channels relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss how you would improve customer acquisition and retention. Highlight any previous experience you have in managing key customers or partners, as this will show your ability to drive growth.

✨Be Data-Driven

Since the role involves using Salesforce and data-led decision making, brush up on your CRM skills. Be ready to talk about how you've used data to inform your sales strategies in the past. Discuss your approach to forecasting accuracy and pipeline management to demonstrate your operational discipline.

Director: Sales in Oxford
OUP
Location: Oxford

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