Business Development Manager - 12 Month FTC

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Business Development Manager with a passion for children's books to join our team on a 12-month Fixed Term Contract. We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with excellent customer service and communication skills, to oversee key existing US & Canada customer accounts., The Business Development Manager will work in close collaboration with the Account Management and Business Development teams, as well as coordinate with Production, Distribution, and the Studio. This role involves actively identifying and capitalising on opportunities to drive business growth within our North American accounts. The Business Development Manager will also provide direct oversight of key accounts, fostering and sustaining strong relationships with customers to ensure top-notch customer service standards are consistently met., Your duties and responsibilities as Business Development Manager include:

• Consistently achieve sales targets and growth forecasts for your territories in line with company global strategy.


• Identify new markets and potential opportunities to drive growth, agree and implement plans to secure them.


• Identify new sales channels and convert these into sales opportunities.


• Use contacts to identify and explore new business to maximise sales and profitability.


• Develop and maintain relationships with new and existing customers and provide outstanding customer service.


• Attend customer meetings and events.


• Product development in line with customer requirements.


• In collaboration with the Account Management team, Studio and Production teams, review existing product and develop formats and price points that can work in your markets.


• Communicate closely with the Account Management team to maximize sales and print run opportunities worldwide; ensuring product development is in line with company global strategy.


• Represent the company at trade fairs and networking events utilising the opportunity to attract new customers.


• Provide sales projections on a regular basis to ensure print runs can be adequately planned.
  
  This opportunity would suit a highly motivated individual who is well organised, loves a challenge and takes an active selling approach to drive growth across a varied account base., This role requires a proactive approach to business development, excellent relationship-building skills, and a collaborative mindset., Previous experience managing US & Canada based customer accounts within a Publishing or Toy sales environment is preferred., Skills and Experience required for the Business Development Manager:


• Previous experience managing customer accounts (ideally US & Canada based) and seeking and securing opportunities to grow business within a sales environment with strong sales and negotiation skills


• Experience of children's publishing and or toys sales


• Excellent administrative skills with the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and prioritise accordingly


• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team


• High attention to detail


• Excellent written, numeracy and verbal communication skills


• Intermediate/Advanced use of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and PowerPoint), Publishing or Toy Sales: 1 year (preferred)


• Business development: 1 year (required)
  
  Working at Make Believe Ideas is an opportunity to be part of our exciting story. We're a well-established children's publishing company based in central Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire (30 minutes north of London with a direct train link to Euston). We're proud of our family culture and we believe we are unique in the world of publishing with creative, innovative formats and our speed to market approach.
  
  Pulled from the full job description


• Company events


• Company pension


• Discounted or free food


• Employee discount


• Gym membership


• Health & wellbeing programme


• Life insurance, We offer excellent benefits including career development, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, contributory pension scheme, life assurance, discounted gym membership, substantial discounts on our books, 20% off hot food served in our on-site café, discounts to many high street and online stores, employee assistance programme, social events throughout the year, complementary massages at our on-site wellness centre and many more.


We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Benefits:

• Company events


• Company pension


• Discounted or free food


• Employee discount


• Gym membership


• Health & wellbeing programme


• Life insurance


• Sick pay


• Store discount


Schedule:

• Day shift


• Monday to Friday