Account Manager (Chain and Independent Bookshops)

• Salary: From £35,000 per annum, depending on experience
• 25 days' holiday per year, rising to 30 days after five years' service
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Enrolment in a healthcare cash plan
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Season ticket loan and Cycle to Work scheme
• Generous staff discounts on books
• Online access to a British Sign Language course

• Lead and develop the company's independent bookshop sales strategy, identifying opportunities for growth across the sector
• Manage and grow sales across a portfolio of key accounts including Waterstones (adult non-fiction), Forbidden Planet, Toppings, Daunt Books, Portobello Bookshop, Artwords, Heywood Hill, Stanfords, Rough Trade, Criminally Good Books and other leading independent retailers
• Work closely with our network of sales agents to support account development and strengthen our presence across the independent book trade
• Create and deliver compelling sales presentations and pitches across our books, gifts and stationery portfolios
• Build and maintain strong relationships with buyers and booksellers, becoming a trusted and knowledgeable point of contact
• Work closely with our publishing partners, providing regular feedback and insight on account performance, market trends and commercial opportunities
• Process and track orders, working closely with the Operations team to ensure strong stock availability and effective supply chain management
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Publicity team to deliver effective campaigns and tailored support for key accounts
• Participate in internal and external meetings, including publisher visits and seasonal sales conferences
• Represent the company at trade shows, industry events and customer meetings
• Undertake regular travel throughout the UK

• Experience in publishing, bookselling or a related sales or buying environment
• A strong understanding of the UK book trade, particularly independent bookselling, would be advantageous
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with confidence in developing and growing customer partnerships
• Strong commercial awareness and an enthusiasm for identifying new opportunities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Outstanding organisational skills, attention to detail and professionalism
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• A proactive and collaborative approach, with the confidence to work independently and take initiative
• A genuine enthusiasm for books and publishing

• Please send your CV and a covering letter to Noortje van Lienen, UK & Export Sales Director, at [email protected]
• While AI tools can be useful, we’d prefer your application to reflect your own voice. Please share your experiences, skills and ideas in your own words so we can get a genuine sense of who you are and what you could bring to our team.

• London hybrid working (minimum 3 days in the office)

At Abrams & Chronicle Books, we celebrate the diverse talents and perspectives of our team and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.