Sales Director

Sage; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global academic publisher is seeking a Sales Director based in London to lead their sales team and drive growth in the UK and EMEA. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in academic publishing, proven leadership skills, and a strategic mindset to navigate complex sales cycles. This role includes mentoring team members and developing sales strategies to boost revenue and maintain long-term institutional relationships.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Company bonus

Sales bonus 30% OTE

Hybrid working model

Private medical cover

Tuition scheme for professional development

Healthy lifestyle reimbursement

Access to company loans

Qualifications

• Proven track record in leading sales teams in academic publishing.
• Familiarity with higher education markets in the UK & EMEA.
• Experience in developing talent and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing sales team.
• Implement and drive the sales strategy.
• Manage pipeline and territory planning.
• Build relationships with institutional clients.

Skills

Sales management experience

Leadership abilities

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Job description

Sales Director– Permanent - £90,000 - £100,000

Join us and be part of a mission‑driven, independent publisher. You’ll work with a diverse group of people who share a passion for empowering researchers, educators, and institutions to shape the future.

About Sage

Sage is a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources with a growing range of technologies to enable discovery, access, and engagement. Believing that research and education are critical in shaping society, Sara Miller McCune founded Sage in 1965. Today, we are controlled by a group of trustees charged with maintaining our independence and mission indefinitely.

Our guaranteed independence means we’re free to:

• Do more – supporting an equitable academic future, furthering disciplines that drive social change, and helping social and behavioural science make an impact
• Work together – building lasting relationships, championing diverse perspectives, and co‑creating resources to transform teaching and learning
• Think long‑term – experimenting, taking risks, and investing in new ideas

About our Team

You’ll lead a dedicated and high‑performing team of 12 sales professionals, split across two verticals: textbooks and Learning Resources. This includes faculty‑facing consultants and library‑facing sales managers, each dedicated to delivering Sage’s innovative product suite including Sage Catalyst and Sage Explorer, to academic institutions across the UK and selected EMEA territories. The team thrives on collaboration, insight‑sharing, and a shared commitment to excellence, supported by Sage’s ACCE sales values: Analytical, Connected, Commercial, and Entrepreneurial. Together, you’ll drive adoption, build lasting partnerships, and shape the future of learning.

Could you be our new Sales Director, UK? Are you?

• An experienced sales manager with a successful history leading top sales teams in academic publishing. Familiar with UK & EMEA higher education markets and various educational products.
• Someone who thrives on growth, with a history of delivering consistent, high‑value revenue success and navigating sophisticated sales cycles with confidence and clarity.
• Enthusiastic about individuals, showcasing outstanding leadership and mentoring abilities to develop talent, guide through transitions, and empower their people to excel.
• A strategic problem solver who can seamlessly balance big‑picture vision with hands‑on execution, driving impactful strategies from concept to delivery.
• A skilled communicator who builds trust with ease, communicates with warmth and clarity, and leads with emotional intelligence and thoughtful influence.
• Commercially savvy, with sharp analytical thinking, negotiation skills and adept at finding opportunities that drive business success.

Your new role

This new position is central to Sage’s ambitious growth strategy in which you’ll shape commercial strategy for textbooks and digital learning resources across sectors, translating goals into sales strategies. Your leadership will influence market share, revenue growth, and long‑term institutional relationships, while advising product positioning and go‑to‑market strategies. As a key voice in the business, you’ll collaborate across departments and represent Sage externally ensuring the company remains a trusted, forward‑thinking partner in an evolving educational landscape.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing Sales team, encouraging a culture of inclusion, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Develop, implement and drive the sales strategy across Books and Learning Resources, translating strategic goals into actionable plans.
• Drive adoption and new business revenue growth across key UK institutions, overseeing pipeline management, territory planning, and sales forecasting.
• Stay ahead of the curve in the Higher Education market, using deep data insights to drive smarter performance.
• Partner with Editorial, Marketing, Product, Engagement, and Customer Success teams to achieve harmonised execution of campaigns and launches.
• Build and develop new and existing relationships acting as an ambassador and representing Sage in industry fora.
• Champion the use of CRM and sales enablement tools to drive data‑informed decision‑making.

Overview of benefits

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with 2 additional floating personal days.
• Company bonus.
• Sales bonus 30% OTE and company car allowance.
• Hybrid working up to 2 days per week in office depending on location and a home working allowance.
• Life assurance, income protection, and travel insurance.
• Private medical cover and access to the company doctor.
• Tuition scheme and support for pursuing professional qualifications, including access to Sage books and journals.
• Variety of snacks and beverages available in the office.
• Healthy lifestyle reimbursement and anniversary trips.
• Access to Company loans (season ticket loan, rental deposit loan, cycle loan).

We’re a Disability Confident Employer (Level 1). If you’d like to apply under this scheme, please let us know in your application.

We’re committed to making our recruitment process accessible and inclusive. If you’d like to request reasonable adjustments, please email [e-mail]. Please note we only accept applications via email if an adjustment has been agreed.

Closing date for applications: Friday 21st November 2025

To ensure we can give each application the attention it deserves, we may consider bringing the closing date forward. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure it is considered.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Sage, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and to sustaining a culture that celebrates diversity, encourages authenticity, and builds a deep sense of belonging. We encourage applications from all members of society irrespective of age, disability, sex or gender identity, sexual orientation, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, or belief as crafting value through diversity is what makes us strong.