Key Account Sales Executive

JR United Kingdom; Bristol; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic publisher seeks a Key Account Sales Executive to cover maternity leave in their sales team. The role involves managing sales accounts across Europe, executing the sales strategy, and building relationships with key partners. Ideal candidates will have experience in book publishing sales and strong negotiation skills, thriving in a dynamic, purpose-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in book publishing sales, ideally across European markets.
• Excellent relationship-building and negotiation skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and an eye for new opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Manage print and consumer eBook accounts across Europe.
• Lead regional sales communications and performance reporting.
• Support and deliver promotional campaigns for frontlist titles.

Skills

Relationship-building

Negotiation

Commercial awareness

Data analysis

Strategic mindset

Tools

Salesforce

Excel

Job description

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We’re working with a highly respected and award-winning academic publisher in the South-West, recognised for its impactful social science books and journals. They are now seeking an experienced Key Account Sales Executive to cover a maternity leave in their dynamic sales team.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a purpose-driven press that champions evidence-based publishing with real-world impact. You’ll be responsible for managing key sales accounts across Europe, working closely with international sales agents, distributors, and rights partners to build revenue across print and digital formats.

About the Role:

Reporting to the Global Sales Manager, you’ll take ownership of all commercial sales relationships in the Europe region and be a key player in executing the regional sales strategy. You’ll:

• Manage print and consumer eBook accounts across Europe
• Lead regional sales communications and performance reporting
• Contribute to sales and marketing strategy development
• Support and deliver promotional campaigns for frontlist titles
• Build strong working relationships with agents and third parties
• Help coordinate rights and translations activities where needed
• Deputise for the Global Sales Manager when required

About You:

You’ll be a confident, proactive sales professional with:

• Experience in book publishing sales, ideally across European markets
• Excellent relationship-building and negotiation skills
• Strong commercial awareness and an eye for new opportunities
• Good knowledge of CRM systems (Salesforce a plus)
• Excellent data analysis and reporting skills using Excel
• A collaborative and strategic mindset

You’ll thrive in a role where autonomy, adaptability, and initiative are key. Experience in rights or translation sales would be a bonus, but not essential.