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Key Account Executive - Waterstones
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Key Account Executive - Waterstones
Waterstones Key Account Executive
We're looking for an enthusiastic and relationship-driven Waterstones Key Account Executive to join our Sales team and help bring Penguin Random House books to life in one of our most important retail partnerships.
Working closely with the Waterstones Head of Sales and Bookseller Engagement Manager, you'll play a key role in driving sales across all Penguin Random House publishing divisions, building strong relationships with booksellers, and championing our titles both in stores and across digital communities.
About the Role
As a Waterstones Key Account Executive, you'll support the delivery of our sales strategy by working collaboratively with Waterstones to maximise opportunities and strengthen grassroots bookseller engagement. Alongside managing key relationships, you'll create engaging social media content for our growing online bookseller communities, helping to increase audience reach, foster engagement, and celebrate our books and authors.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with:
- a passion for books
- strong commercial awareness
- excellent communication skills
- enthusiasm for building relationships
- creative problem-solving
Key Responsibilities
Social Media
- Work across all eight publishing divisions to create a strategic plan for bookseller engagement, balancing all priorities and needs with the BEM.
- Interact directly with booksellers on Instagram and Twitter in an engaging, personal manner.
- Help create social media assets for the Penguin Huddle.
- Regularly offer prizes and exclusive gifts to booksellers.
- Liaise with publishing divisions to organise cover and title reveals.
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Bookseller Outreach
- Develop direct relationships with Waterstones booksellers (online and offline) to optimise grassroots support in stores.
- Respond directly to booksellers via email and other social media platforms, collating daily requests.
- Manage weekly Publisher News submissions (adding formats like Netgalley or audiobooks as alternatives to physical proofs).
- Communicate marketing and publicity campaigns to Waterstones stakeholders via a weekly newsletter.
- Help organise sales support materials (e.g., POS materials) for increased store visibility, liaising with divisional Marketing departments.
- Coordinate proof mailouts and ad-hoc reading copies for all publishing divisions.
Internal
- Build strong relationships with all eight divisional teams, understanding their unique selling points (USPs) and how to maximise these.
- Read widely to develop a deep understanding of Penguin Random House publishing.
- Share on-the-ground feedback with the sales team and company.
- Attend and contribute to internal meetings as required.
- Create a list of ‘Bookseller Champions’ for different market areas and share insights with divisions.
- Continuously review backlist opportunities alongside frontlist titles.
- Develop a deep understanding of the book industry and trade book market (TCM).
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What You’ll Bring
Essential Criteria
- Experience in bookselling and a genuine passion for books and reading.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
- Strong organisational skills, ability to juggle multiple priorities.
- Confidence in using social media to build communities and create engaging content.
Preferred Criteria
- Experience planning promotional campaigns.
- A creative approach to engaging audiences (both online and in-person).
- Collaborative, proactive mindset and ability to work with diverse colleagues.
About Us
As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We encourage you to disclose any reasonable adjustments required at PRHCareersUK@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.
Application Instructions
Apply with your CV and a cover letter (1–2 pages) explaining why you’re the right candidate for the role by 11:59 PM on Sunday, 26th July.
Showcase your unique voice—avoid AI tools for authenticity. We celebrate creativity and diversity!
Salary & Working Arrangements
- Circa £30,000, dependent on skills/experience, plus bonus and benefits.
- Hybrid working discussed at interview stage.
Additional Information
- Data protection and disclosure policies can be found here.
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