Head of eCommerce

Postscript Books; Highweek; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Postscript Books is an independent mail order, catalogue and eCommerce bookseller with significant opportunities to scale our online growth. We are looking for a Head of eCommerce to set and lead a joined-up, data-led eCommerce strategy for sustainable growth.

This is a hands-on leadership role. You’ll manage a team covering digital marketing, design, merchandising and events, while remaining close to the day-to-day performance of the website and actively involved in making things happen.

Qualifications

• Proven track record growing online sales.
• Strong understanding of eCommerce metrics (traffic, conversion, LTV).
• Experience with Magento, Klaviyo, GA, GTM, and ads.
• Experience managing people and collaborating with IT.
• Interest in books and publishing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Increase online revenue and profitability with a sustainable growth plan.
• Manage day-to-day trading performance of the website.
• Work with Digital Marketing Manager to drive acquisition and retention.
• Monitor key metrics and identify opportunities from data.
• Plan online promotions, campaigns, and merchandising.
• Lead and develop the eCommerce team and liaise with IT.
• Apply AI to improve eCommerce performance where appropriate.

Skills

eCommerce leadership

Online trading

Team management

Data-driven decision making

Digital marketing

Tools

Magento

Klaviyo

Google Analytics

Tag Manager

Job description

Take ownership of the online sales and growth of an established independent bookseller

Postscript Books is an independent mail order, catalogue and eCommerce bookseller with significant opportunities to scale our online growth. We are looking for a Head of eCommerce to set and lead a joined-up, data-led eCommerce strategy for sustainable growth.

This is a hands-on leadership role. You’ll manage a team covering digital marketing, design, merchandising and events, while remaining close to the day-to-day performance of the website and actively involved in making things happen. You’ll be equally comfortable setting the eCommerce strategy, analysing why sales have moved, planning the next campaign, reviewing promotions and customer journeys, and working with IT on website improvement.

This would be a great next step for an experienced eCommerce Manager, Senior eCommerce Manager or Digital Trading Manager who is ready to take broader ownership of a multichannel business.

What you’ll be responsible for

You’ll take overall responsibility for our eCommerce strategy and online commercial performance including, but not limited to:

• Increase online revenue and profitability, delivering a clear plan for sustainable growth
• Manage the day-to-day trading performance of the website
• Work closely with the Digital Marketing Manager to drive customer acquisition, retention and lifetime value across email, paid media and other digital channels
• Continuously monitor key metrics using data to identify opportunities and respond to changes in performance
• Plan and coordinate online promotions, campaigns, merchandising and trading activity
• Provide commercial input into the eCommerce budgeting process, working with the Finance Director to review actuals against budget and identify appropriate actions
• Manage eCommerce marketing expenditure within agreed budgets, continually assessing spending against performance and commercial returns
• Lead a continual programme of testing and optimisation, using results to inform future decisions
• Lead improvements to the online customer journey, identifying and prioritising website developments that increase conversion and commercial performance
• Lead the SEO content plan to grow organic traffic and sales
• Work closely with IT to translate commercial requirements into effective technical solutions
• Lead, support and develop your team while remaining actively involved where needed
• Identify and apply appropriate uses of AI to improve eCommerce performance and efficiency, with a clear understanding of its capabilities and limitations

Your team

You’ll directly manage:

• Digital Marketing Manager - email marketing, paid media, digital acquisition and retention
• Merchandiser - online product presentation and merchandising
• Marketing Designer - creative and campaign assets, ensuring output remains consistent with the Postscript brand
• Events Coordinator - book and book-related events used to build awareness and attract new customers

You’ll also work closely with our IT department which provides the technical expertise behind our website and systems. You don’t need to be a developer, but you’ll need to translate commercial and customer needs into clear requirements, prioritise developments and work collaboratively with IT to deliver them.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who combines commercial thinking with a willingness to get stuck in. You’ll ideally have:

• Strong experience in eCommerce, online trading or digital retail
• A track record of growing online sales
• A strong understanding of eCommerce metrics including traffic, conversion, average order value, lifetime value and repeat purchase
• Experience with Magento, Klaviyo, Google Analytics, Tag Manager and advertising platforms, or similar technologies
• An excellent working knowledge of digital marketing, including email and paid media
• Experience of online merchandising, promotions and customer journeys
• Experience managing people
• Experience working with technical or IT colleagues
• Strong organisation and prioritisation skills
• A practical, collaborative approach and the willingness to get involved rather than simply delegate
• An interest in, and understanding of, books and publishing

Experience in books or publishing isn’t essential. We’re equally interested in someone who understands eCommerce, customers and commercial growth and is excited by the opportunity to apply that experience to Postscript.

Why this role?

You’ll have genuine ownership of Postscript’s online sales, supported by specialists across marketing, merchandising, bookselling, creative and technology. For an experienced eCommerce professional ready for broader responsibility, this is an opportunity to combine strategy, leadership and hands-on eCommerce while having a direct impact on the growth of an established independent business.

What success looks like

Ultimately, success means maximising Postscript’s online sales and delivering sustainable, profitable growth. You’ll set and lead a joined-up, data-led eCommerce strategy, bring creativity to how we attract and retain customers.