Associate Director/Director, Independent Channel Sales (NYC Hybrid)

Overview

We are seeking a strategic, data-driven, and collaborative Associate Director/Director, Independent Channel Sales to lead our field sales team of 8 reps and support our Independent Retail Channel, across both adult and children’s divisions. This role bridges sales strategy with day-to-day execution, serving as a key partner to senior leadership, and internal stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is both a strong operator and a forward-thinking strategist-passionate about books, deeply familiar with the independent bookstore landscape, and energized by working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

This role reports to the VP, Independent Sales & Wholesale.

Responsibilities

Channel Responsibilities

• Partner with the VP, Independent Sales & Wholesale to execute strategic plans that drive growth and market share in the independent bookstore channel.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to align sales efforts with publishing goals.
• Analyze sales performance, market trends, and account-level data to identify new opportunities.
• Contribute to seasonal sales planning, forecasting, and inventory projections.
• Represent independent sales needs in cross-functional meetings.
• Work closely with Retail Marketing and Publishing teams to align sales strategies with campaign goals.

Field Sales Team Support & Management

• Lead and provide day-to-day support to a team of 8 field sales representatives reporting to this role.
• Collaborate on new account support and growth with the Inside Sales Team, Sales Manager.
• Serve as a central hub for communication, ensuring field and inside sales reps are equipped with timely updates, sales materials, and inventory insights.
• Manage key programs such as indie terms, promotional campaigns, seasonal offers.
• Develop and deliver compelling title presentations and selling tools tailored to independent bookstores.
• Prepare and organize materials for sales meetings and seasonal conferences.
• Ensure reps are aligned with internal timelines, priorities, and campaign strategies.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Collaborate with the VP, Independent Sales & Wholesale on channel reporting, including weekly sales updates, title performance, and market insights.
• Develop and deliver actionable analysis on sales data, including comp title performance and overall channel health.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to align reporting with publishing and sales objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 5-8+ years of sales, publishing, or related experience, preferably within the independent bookstore channel.
• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution.
• Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting sales data and trends.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of communications, effectively prioritizing competing and often equal-urgency requests while maintaining responsiveness and accuracy.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Prior experience supporting or leading teams is a plus.
• High level of organization and attention to detail.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; experience with BI tools (e.g., Power BI) preferred.

Additional Information & Preferred Attributes

• Hybrid work schedule (3 days/week in office).
• Occasional travel required for industry events, conferences, and account visits.
• Passion for books, reading, and the independent bookstore community.
• Collaborative mindset with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.
• Comfort with public speaking and presenting to internal and external audiences.
• Innovative thinker with a focus on process improvement and efficiency.

HarperCollins Publishers is a company full of people who are passionate about books. When you apply for a position, we want to know why you want to work here, and why you are interested in the job. That’s why cover letters are strongly preferred.

The salary range for this position is $95,000-$130,000 . We recognize that attracting the best talent is key to our strategy and success as a company. As a result, we aim for flexibility in structuring competitive compensation offers to ensure we are able to attract the best candidates. The quoted salary range represents our good faith estimate as to what our ideal candidates are likely to expect, and we tailor our offers within the range based on the selected candidate's experience, industry knowledge, technical and communication skills, and other factors that may prove relevant during the interview process.

In addition to cash compensation, the company provides a comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package, with a variety of physical health, retirement and savings, caregiving, emotional wellbeing, transportation, and other benefits, including "elective" benefits employees may select to best fit the needs and personal situations of our diverse workforce.

HarperCollins Publishers is an equal opportunity employer.

HarperCollins Publishers is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, in our job application and/or interview process. If you need assistance or accommodation in completing your application, due to a disability, email us at [email protected]. Note: we will only respond to accommodation requests.