Skip to main content

Trade Commercial Manager, Executive

The opportunity

This role will be focussed in Consumer across both Adult and Children’s. The initial focus will be on supporting the Commercial Director in implementation of the Adult UK Strategy and developing the Children’s Strategy. This will include significant work around reviewing financial information at a title level – acquisition P&L input review, approving subsequent changes, leading on regular past performance reviews, supporting the business and finance in the budgeting process to ensure we review pricing, discount levels, plant costs, PPB and consistently refer back to acquisition P&L’s.

The role will provide commercial and business advice and expertise to the Adult and Children’s Trade divisions in both UK and US offices. You will play a key role in implementing a strong internal control environment, whilst supporting the Trade Publishing Team so that best practice is used for all commercial decisions. You will be a critical friend to the business, building strong relationships across functions, supporting delivery of strategic growth plans.

The role

  • Work closely with the Commercial Director in operating an effective critical path process including:
  • Implementation of robust internal control framework to monitor and control costs throughout the book life cycle;
  • Supporting Trade Publishers in the completion of realistic and acquisition P&Ls;
  • Implementation of regular editorial schedule reviews to track future pipeline of titles, identifying gaps and highlighting risks;
  • Regular review of past performance;
  • Play a key role in standardisation of processes across the Group;
  • Analysis of current external trends.
  • Working closely with the Editorial teams to establish and monitor key dates within critical path, including contract signature, review of unpublished advances and finish and specification changes.
  • Support the publishing teams during key forecasting periods to identify commercial value creation opportunities, including:
  • Price reviews
  • Comparison of frontlist title assumptions to acquisition P&L’s
  • Detailed review of unit cost assumptions, particularly around plant costs
  • Deputise for the Commercial Director when needed attending weekly meetings, including acquisitions, publishing matters and print sign off.
  • Establishing finance education programme for the Trade Publishing Divisions.
  • Review daily sales information to propose commercial actions
  • Ad hoc analysis and support across the Trade division.

This job description does not form part of your contract of employment. 

Knowledge, skills and experience 

  • Self-starter with mature and organised approach, able to work independently
  • Experience in book publishing is preferred
  • Highly systems focussed – understands controls, process and systems
  • Numerate and strong on detail
  • Confident to challenge the status quo
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
  • Confident working with both finance and non-finance staff, with the ability to bring numbers alive
  • Intermediate to advanced excel sills (IF statements, vlookups, pivot tables, sumifs)

Additional information

The role is a full-time permanent position.

The role is based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP however, as all Bloomsbury employees are currently working from home, this role will also be based from home until our offices reopen on a mandatory working pattern of 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred).

As well as a fantastic opportunity to join a global award-winning organisation, Bloomsbury offers competitive benefits, generous staff discounts and flexible working arrangements.

Please apply with a CV and covering letter addressed to Human Resources (Word or PDF format only) detailing how you meet the requirements outlined above for this role by 21st June 2021.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

The Company

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Bloomsbury Publishing is a leading independent publishing house, established in 1986, with authors who have won the Nobel, Pulitzer and Booker Prizes, and is the originating publisher and custodian of the Harry Potter series. Bloomsbury has offices in London, New York, New Delhi, Oxford and Sydney. Within Bloomsbury’s Academic division, it publishes under Bloomsbury, as well as under a number of prestigious and historic imprint names. Read Our Story for how it all began. 

 Bloomsbury is committed to creating a working environment that stimulates creativity and collaboration, is respectful of difference, is inclusive and ethical in its practice, and promotes well-being. We are determined to nurture and develop our employees to reach their highest potential, and we know that our success is down to the passion, commitment and hard work of our talented people. We recognise the urgent need to attract and support applicants from all backgrounds and identities to become part of the global publishing industry, allowing diverse voices to reflect and shape our culture and society.

Please read more on our Missions and Values here.

Please read our environmental policy here.

Our Benefits

Trade Commercial Manager, Executive

Full-time, Permanent
Publisher
Administration, Publishing, Communications, Business Development, Finance
Reference: 
Trade Commercial Manager, Executive

Share this job now