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About the Role
We are seeking a strategic, data-driven, and collaborative Associate Director/Director, Independent Channel Sales to lead our field sales team of 8 reps and support our Independent Retail Channel, across both adult and children’s divisions. This role bridges sales strategy with day-to-day execution, serving as a key partner to senior leadership and internal stakeholders. The ideal candidate is both a strong operator and a forward-thinking strategist—passionate about books, deeply familiar with the independent bookstore landscape, and energized by working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. This role reports to the VP, Independent Sales & Wholesale.
Responsibilities
- Partner with the VP, Independent Sales & Wholesale to execute strategic plans that drive growth and market share in the independent bookstore channel.
- Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to align sales efforts with publishing goals.
- Analyze sales performance, market trends, and account-level data to identify new opportunities.
- Contribute to seasonal sales planning, forecasting, and inventory projections.
- Represent independent sales needs in cross-functional meetings.
- Work closely with Retail Marketing and Publishing teams to align sales strategies with campaign goals.
- Lead and provide day-to-day support to a team of 8 field sales representatives.
- Collaborate on new account support and growth with the Inside Sales Team and Sales Manager.
- Serve as a central hub for communication, ensuring field and inside sales reps are equipped with timely updates, sales materials, and inventory insights.
- Manage key programs such as indie terms, promotional campaigns, and seasonal offers.
- Develop and deliver compelling title presentations and selling tools tailored to independent bookstores.
- Prepare and organize materials for sales meetings and seasonal conferences.
- Ensure reps are aligned with internal timelines, priorities, and campaign strategies.
- Collaborate with the VP, Independent Sales & Wholesale on channel reporting, including weekly sales updates, title performance, and market insights.
- Develop and deliver actionable analysis on sales data, including comp title performance and overall channel health.
- Partner with internal stakeholders to align reporting with publishing and sales objectives.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
- 5–8+ years of sales, publishing, or related experience, preferably within the independent bookstore channel.
- Demonstrated ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution.
- Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting sales data and trends.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of communications, effectively prioritizing competing and often equal-urgency requests while maintaining responsiveness and accuracy.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Prior experience supporting or leading teams is a plus.
- High level of organization and attention to detail.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.
- Experience with BI tools (e.g., Power BI) preferred.
- Occasional travel required for industry events, conferences, and account visits.
- Passion for books, reading, and the independent bookstore community.
- Collaborative mindset with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.
- Comfort with public speaking and presenting to internal and external audiences.
- Innovative thinker with a focus on process improvement and efficiency.
Skills
- Sales
- Publishing
- Independent bookstore channel knowledge
- Strategic thinking
- Operational execution
- Data analysis
- Market trend analysis
- Sales planning
- Forecasting
- Inventory projection
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Retail marketing alignment
- Publishing goals alignment
- Team leadership
- Communication
- Presentation
- Interpersonal skills
- Prioritization
- Time management
- Organization
- Attention to detail
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- BI tools (e.g., Power BI)
Location
- Hybrid
Work Type
- Hybrid work schedule (3 days/week in office)
- Full-time
Experience Level
- Associate Director/Director
- 5-8+ years of experience
Education Level
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
Salary/Compensations
- $95,000-$130,000
Benefits
- Comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package
- Variety of physical health benefits
- Retirement and savings benefits
- Caregiving benefits
- Emotional wellbeing benefits
- Transportation benefits
- Other benefits
- Elective benefits
About the Company
- HarperCollins Publishers is a company full of people who are passionate about books.
Equal Opportunity
- HarperCollins Publishers is an equal opportunity employer.
- HarperCollins Publishers is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, in our job application and/or interview process. If you need assistance or accommodation in completing your application, due to a disability, email us at TalentManagement@harpercollins.com. Note: we will only respond to accommodation requests.