What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director, Client Sales position at Hachette Book Group?
Executive Director, Client Sales
About the Role
Hachette Book Group is seeking an experienced, relationship-driven Executive Director, Client Sales to lead and grow sales for our portfolio of Client Publishers. This senior leader will drive the strategic vision for Client Sales, ensuring long-term, sustainable growth in the U.S. and Canadian markets and supporting international opportunities in partnership with Hachette’s global companies. Additionally, the director will collaborate with the Client Business development team and collaborate on the company’s Client onboarding process, sales plan development and all go-live milestones for Sales.
The Executive Director will oversee the Client Sales team, partner with Channel Heads to drive overall sales growth and build deep relationships with Client Publishers to strengthen performance across all formats, categories, and sales channels. This role requires strong commercial instincts, operational fluency, and a collaborative leadership style.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own the overall sales strategy for Client Publishers, setting priorities that support HBG’s growth objectives.
- Partner with Sales Channel Heads and Channel Sales Directors to align Client plans with channel strategies and ensure strong year-over-year performance.
- Partner with Business Development, Operations, and other stakeholders to lead the Sales onboarding of new Client Publishers, including training, sales plan development, and preparation for all kick-off and go-live milestones.
- Act as the primary point of contact for Distribution Operations for Client-related troubleshooting, ensuring timely and effective solutions
- Lead annual and in-season budgeting and forecasting discussions with Clients, providing clear guidance and recommendations.
- Analyze and track POS, inventory, and sales trends across Adult and Kids lists to optimize distribution and identify opportunities across all channels globally.
- Serve as the primary liaison with Hachette’s global sister companies, coordinating on strategic planning, inventory management, and global market opportunities.
- Work closely with the Client Imprint Sales Director to develop and execute go-to-market strategies for frontlist launches and backlist growth.
- Prepare and present business reviews, performance analyses, and marketplace insights to Client Publishers.
- In collaboration with Title Management, ISD, and other cross-functional partners, provide strategic sales inputs to support demand planning, reprint strategy, and seasonal priorities while maintaining clear and streamlined communication with Clients.
- Represent HBG and Client Publishers at major comic conventions, regional trade shows, and key industry events, ensuring strong title visibility and positioning.
- Maintain a deep understanding of marketplace trends, retailer dynamics, and competitive shifts, translating insights into actionable strategies for Clients.
Qualifications
- 10 years of experience in publishing sales, client management, or related commercial leadership roles.
- Proven track record managing publisher or client relationships at a senior level.
- Strong understanding of U.S. retail, wholesaler, and specialty sales channels, including Adult and Kids markets.
- Uses data to diagnose issues, redirect strategy, and forecast outcomes.
- Demonstrated experience interpreting complex POS, inventory, and financial data to drive decision-making.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder-management skills.
- Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
- Ability to travel for client meetings, conventions, and trade events as needed.
- Experience with distribution partnerships or third-party publisher relationships.
- Familiarity with global publishing markets and inventory management across territories.
- Ability to navigate fast-paced environments and balance varied stakeholder needs.
- Ability to see the big picture and translate insights into actionable growth plans.
- Guides teams with clarity, accountability, and empathy.
- Uses data to diagnose issues, redirect strategy, and forecast outcomes.
As a leading book publisher, we believe that including and representing diverse voices in all aspects of our business is fundamental to what we do. Our publishing programs must reflect the broad range of backgrounds, experiences, political views and ideas that shape our society and publish books for all readers.
Hachette Book Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
The compensation range for this position is $150,000-$175,000. Salary can vary based on a number of factors including skills, experience, and location — talk with your recruiter to learn more. There may be times that you will be required (or requested) to work overtime due to the nature of your role or exceptional workload issues or special projects.
The following benefits are offered by the company: medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life, short-term and long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, hospital indemnity, long-term care, health and dependent care FSA, commuter benefit plan, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, travel assistance, 401(k), discretionary bonus program, PTO (15 vacation days, 3 personal days, 10 holidays and generous sick leave) and group discounts on auto and home insurance and legal services. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification, hours worked and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.
Salary : $150,000 - $175,000