Head of Sales, Asia & Middle East

Job Title: Head of Sales, Asia & Middle East
Department: Group Sales
Contract: Full-time, permanent

An exciting opportunity has become available in our sales team! We are looking for a Head of Sales to drive the growth, commercial strategy, and reach of Pan Macmillan’s outstanding publishing list across these dynamic international markets. You will also play a key federal role supporting Macmillan Children’s Books (MCB) globally, shaping how our world-class children’s and YA titles connect with readers worldwide.

Your team:
You will lead a dedicated and successful international sales team. You will manage team members based in our UK office, as well as our regional teams based in Hong Kong and China. We are a collaborative, strategic, and friendly team that focuses on building strong relationships with global customers. Together, we work closely with internal publishing teams, international partners, and distribution networks to champion our authors and books.

Your role:
As Head of Sales, Asia & Middle East, your main focus will be to maximize book sales and lead the commercial strategy for your designated areas. You will be a key leader by managing important customer relationships, supporting your team, and growing international revenue. Additionally, you will work closely with the MCB UK & International Sales Director to oversee children’s and YA forecasting, costings, and book selections for international markets.

Your key responsibilities:

• Deliver sales budgets and strategy: Create and run the sales strategy to meet or exceed commercial sales targets across Asia & the Middle East

• Manage international teams: Manage, guide, and support the UK-based Asia & Middle East team, as well as our teams in Hong Kong and China, helping them succeed in their daily work.

• Build strong customer partnerships: Manage relationships with major international bookshops, accounts, and distributors to grow our market share and ensure reliable book supply.

• Oversee distribution and logistics: Manage critical working relationships with Macmillan Distribution for credit control and distribution, and partner with our US distribution networks for the smooth supply of Macmillan US titles.

• Share market trends: Research and analyse international book markets, popular genres, and competitor strategies to help guide our future publishing plans and marketing.

• Support Children’s International publishing: Work closely with the MCB Sales Director to manage international costings, sales forecasts, and new book choices, representing International Sales at key Children's team meetings.

• Manage agency publishers: Take responsibility for the sales performance and management of third-party publishers that we represent in your territories, which currently include Macmillan USA and Guinness World Records.

Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed:

• International publishing sales experience: Experience working in a sales role within the publishing industry, with a focus on international markets.

• Children’s and YA market knowledge: Good commercial understanding and experience selling or working with Children’s and Young Adult literature.

• Territory experience: A demonstrated understanding of the book industry, retail markets, and business opportunities within international markets, ideally in Asia and the Middle East.

• People management: Experience managing, inspiring, and developing a team.

• Commercial and budget skills: Clear experience managing budgets, financial forecasting, costings, and using sales data to make decisions.

• Communication and negotiation skills: Excellent presentation, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to work well with senior external business partners and internal teams.

• Inclusion and representation: An active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices, taking personal responsibility for ensuring our workplace and publishing reflect the communities we serve.

• Community: A collaborative approach to building a supportive and vibrant environment.

• Curiosity: A strong drive for learning and a readiness to embrace different perspectives.

• Integrity: A foundation of openness and honesty, taking responsibility for actions and learning from mistakes.

What you’ll get in return:
In return we can offer you a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment as well as a competitive salary and benefits package.

Salary: £55,000 to £60,000

Note on salary: The offered salary is dependent on experience and expertise. We benchmark our ranges to ensure fair, competitive compensation that grows with your impact.

Closing date: 29 July 2026

This is a full time, permanent role, and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.

Some of the benefits we offer:

• 28 days’ annual leave increasing with years of service + bank holidays

• Generous pension scheme

• Discounted private medical insurance or health cash plan

• Group income protection scheme

• Enhanced family pay and leave

• Flexible working hours and summer hours (early finish on a Friday during summer months)

• 2 volunteer days per year

• 75% off all Pan Macmillan books and regular staff book sales (highly reduced rates)

• Season ticket loan/advance

• Cycle to work scheme

• Discounts on shopping and gym memberships; Christmas club savings

• Daily free breakfast and monthly company lunch

How to apply & eligibility:

• Our process: All applications must be submitted via our careers site to be considered. We are unable to accept CVs or applications sent via email.

• Our timelines: Because we review every application thoroughly and with care, our shortlisting process can take some time. We appreciate your patience and will be in touch as soon as we have an update on your application.

• Right to work: All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for this role.

Our commitment to diversity & inclusion:
At Pan Macmillan, we are committed to publishing a wide range of voices that reflect the full breadth of the communities we serve. Joining us means playing an active role in bringing our titles to life as part of a team that champions inclusion at every level. We are dedicated to building a workplace that is as diverse and welcoming as the stories we tell, ensuring all perspectives are celebrated across everything we do.

We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. Our efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve. You can read our full Diversity, Equity and Inclusion pledge here.

Disability confident scheme:
As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from disabled candidates and people with long-term health conditions, aiming to offer an interview to everyone who meets the essential criteria for the role and chooses to apply under the scheme. The essential criteria can be found under our ‘Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed’ section.

Please note, some of our vacancies attract an exceptionally high volume of applications. In these circumstances, to ensure a fair and focused process for everyone, we may need to limit the overall number of interviews. Where this happens, we will look closely at who most closely aligns with the requirements to select the candidates applying under this scheme who best meet the essential criteria, in line with official government guidance.

Please remember that you are never required to disclose a disability to us, and you only need to share what you feel comfortable with.

Adjustment & support:
We want to ensure that all candidates are supported throughout the recruitment process. If you have any reasonable adjustments or accessibility requirements, please contact Kayelle Danyluk (Head of Talent Acquisition) at [email protected].

Privacy notice:
All personal information which we process in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice here. Please read this notice before submitting your application.