Key Account Manager, Egmont

This is an excellent opportunity for a sales Account Manager to take on an exciting new position within Egmont where our purpose is to make every child a proud reader. The Key Account Manager will have the opportunity to sell the some of the biggest children's book brands in the world, beloved picture books authors and illustrators as well as bestselling fiction for primary school readers, middle-grade and teenagers.

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering the sales targets, through a high standard of account management, and effective development and implementation of the company sales strategies for Egmont children’s books.

The Account Portfolio will have a dedicated list of customers across high street, supermarkets & online to create mutually beneficial relationships to ensure sales targets are met and exceeded.  The Key Account Manager is an integral part of the Egmont sales team selling into UK Trade Key Accounts and working in conjunction with account managers from across the HarperCollins sales team.  The person will need to be able to collaborate with colleagues across the Egmont business to ensure overall business goals are met.  Demonstrate a knowledge of the children’s book market, licensing and trends to ensure a market leading position.

Sales Responsibilities

• Deliver the UK sales and channel strategies for key UK accounts with the objective of driving profitable sales.

• Sell a vast portfolio of new and established authors across a spectrum of key genres; working on major brands and licences, developing sales strategies that effectively integrate with Group strategy.

• Manage retail budgets, adding value and securing optimum promotional space across varied sales environments.

• Promote accounts with internal publishing teams and act as a spokesperson for those accounts internally, maintaining positive and constructive relationships with internal contacts such as publishing teams and business managers.

Customer

• Manage and negotiate the best possible sales terms, protecting Egmont & HCP margins whilst maintaining positive relations and growth with key customers.

• Cultivate strong customer relationships and partnerships that deliver growth, maximising the opportunities offered to the business by the strategies pursued by customers on front list, backlist and bespoke or special product.

• Assist the business’ position in any group terms negotiations for your customer base; work in day to day partnership with internal teams across Editorial, Marketing/PR and Production

• Work closely with key customers to lead the market and consistently innovate

• Achieve customer budgets, getting the most value out of front and back list programmes, systems and promotions.

• Working with customers on digital platforms

Person Specification

• Experience of publishing account management (ideally in the children’s market)

• Experience of producing sales presentations including spreadsheets and graphs

• Experience of working in a busy environment and balancing priorities

• Commercial business knowledge such as margins, profits etc.

• Experience of Digital customers sales would be advantageous.

Skills / Competencies

• An excellent communicator with strong customer service ethic

• Strong organisation skills

• Ability to use own initiative

• Must have excellent attention to detail

• Able to work under pressure and to deadlines

• Skills in Excel, Word, PowerPoint

• Selling and negotiating skills

Disposition

• Must be a good team player

• Adaptable with a ‘can do’ attitude

• Willing to take on new challenges

Please note that earlier applications may be prioritised.