Sales Assistant, Academic Sales

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc is a leading independent, international publisher with strengths in trade, children’s, professional and academic publishing. We have an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, organized, enthusiastic and hardworking individual to join the Bloomsbury Academic Sales team as Academic Sales Assistant, reporting to the Academic & Professional Sales Director, UK & Export.

The successful candidate will support the activities of the UK and Export Academic Sales team as they sell our lists to customers around the world. They will also have direct contact with our customers, so a warm and professional manner is required in order to give excellent customer service.

This is an excellent opportunity to learn first-hand about a broad range of activities across the publishing business and develop the key skills required for a career in publishing.

The role

• Assisting and supporting the Academic Sales team in their work of selling Bloomsbury Academic titles and publishing lists around the world.
• Working directly with customers and with the Sales Managers to grow sales and achieve targets.
• Generating monthly new title presentations, bestseller reports, textbook sales kits and key series packs for use by sales managers, agents and customers.
• Working directly with Bloomsbury authors to process orders at the contracted discount.
• Managing inbound email enquiries.
• Handling event and special sales opportunities, liaising with the customer/venue and also the relevant warehouse concerning invoicing, shipping and return
• Assisting in planning and delivery of the Academic Sales conferences.
• Circulating publicity news to customers.
• Managing standing orders ensuring all customer requirements are fulfilled.

Knowledge, skills and experience 

• Prior office experience is a significant advantage
• Able to demonstrate confident Excel skills
• Able to act proactively and with limited direct supervision, while at the same time recognising when matters need to be referred to manager.
• The interpersonal skills necessary to develop and sustain effective relationships internally, and on behalf of the Company with external bodies and with its customers.
• Able to work accurately with detailed information.
• Ability to grasp new systems.
• Possesses a high level of resilience and drive, able to be flexible and change direction as required.
• A high level of organizational skills.
• A strong team player.

Additional information
The role is a full-time permanent position. Salary £24,000 pa.

The role is based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP on a hybrid working pattern of 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred).  Allocated office days for this role are Wednesday and Thursday.

As an Assistant role, this position is eligible for Bloomsbury’s Rental Deposit Loan Scheme. To assist candidates who want to start and to establish a career in publishing, Bloomsbury offers an interest-free rental deposit to support securing somewhere to live. The rental deposit loan can be up to £3,000 and will be paid back over 2 years.

Please apply with a CV and covering letter addressed to Human Resources (Word or PDF format only) via the ‘APPLY NOW’ button detailing how you meet the requirements outlined above for this role by Monday 2nd May 2022.

Bloomsbury reserve the right to close the role early if we exceed the required number of applications

Bloomsbury Benefits

As well as a fantastic opportunity to join a global award-winning organisation, Bloomsbury offers the following competitive benefits package:

Working Pattern

• hybrid working pattern of: 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred)

Holidays

• 25 days holiday
• 3.5 days Christmas company holiday
• 2 Personal Wellness Days

Other Benefits:

Flexible Fridays – take Friday afternoon off by working an additional 3 hours and 45 minutes earlier in the week

Season Ticket Loan

Sharesave Scheme

In-house Doctor

Eyecare Voucher Scheme

That Day – online fitness classes, mindfulness, cookery classes, workshops etc.

Company culture! – Employee Voice Meetings, Staff Networks (BAME, Disability, Mental Health, LGBTQ+ and Parents, Guardians and Carers), 15 Mental Health First Aiders trained across the UK offices, Publishing Events and access to free Publishing Resources

For additional benefits see below

Bloomsbury is a place where anyone of any background, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, age, ability, or socio-economic status can thrive, feel comfortable, and be heard and accepted. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please flag to the recruitment team if required

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

The Book Trade Charity provide financial assistance for people looking to get into the publishing industry; you can find more information and talk directly here: http://booktradeentrysupport.org

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.