Are you passionate about children's books? Do you dream of a role where imagination is celebrated and fun is part of the job description? Then you might just be the perfect fit for the Make Believe Ideas team!
We're always on the lookout for talented individuals to join us on our mission to inspire little readers. When new opportunities arise, we'll announce them right here on our website and across our social media channels.
Business Development Executive
We’re looking for a motivated and ambitious Business Development Executive with a passion for sales and children’s publishing. You’ll help grow our business, develop customer relationships and identify exciting new opportunities across international markets.
We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and driven individual with a true passion for sales and a strong ambition to build a successful career in business development within children’s publishing.
The Business Development Executive will focus on winning business in line with sales targets and achieving target margins on sale prices. You will be responsible for planning business development and sales activities for smaller territories or markets, working alongside the Business Development Team and in line with MBI’s global strategy and ethos. This role is ideal for someone with previous sales experience who is looking to develop strong sales and negotiation skills. The position may involve some travel.
ABOUT MAKE BELIEVE IDEAS
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, just 30 minutes north of London with a direct train link to Euston.
We’re proud of our friendly, collaborative culture and our reputation for creativity, innovation and speed to market. It’s a place where ideas are welcomed and where you can really make an impact.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Your duties and responsibilities as Business Development Executive will include:
- Achieving sales targets and growth forecasts for your territories in line with MBI global strategy
- Researching and identifying new business opportunities, progressing prospects and leads with support from the relevant manager or director where needed
- Maintaining strong customer relationships with key accounts and providing outstanding customer service
- Attending customer meetings and events, which may involve some international travel
- Managing sales to relevant accounts and supporting the Business Development team
- Pulling together sales materials and presentations alongside Sales Support
- Working closely with Account Management to share sales data, customer activity, news and issues, and to ensure all customer requirements are met
- Reviewing opportunities, making recommendations for growth areas, and identifying new markets and customer potential
- Progressing leads through to order confirmation, including meeting preparation, presentations, follow-up and finalising orders
- Preparing and carrying out customer submissions in liaison with the Account Management team
- Maximising all sales opportunities in line with MBI values
- Maintaining a central customer contact list or database, keeping all records up to date, including new leads and prospects
IDEAL CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
Required
- Previous experience within a sales environment, with a desire to develop strong sales and negotiation skills.
- Excellent administrative skills, with the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and prioritise accordingly.
- High attention to detail.
- Excellent written, numerical and verbal communication skills.
- Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Willingness to travel occasionally as required.
- Enthusiasm for developing skills and experience in business development within children’s publishing.
Desirable
- 1–2 years’ experience within a publishing environment, particularly children’s publishing.
BENEFITS
We offer an excellent range of benefits, including:
- 25 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Life assurance.
- Substantial discounts on our books.
- 20% off hot food served in our on-site café.
- Discounts at a wide range of high street and online stores.
- And many more!
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries.
To be considered for this job vacancy, please submit a cover letter and CV to careers@makebelieveideas.com for review.
