Specialty Sales Manager I
Job Description
About the Role
Specialty Sales Manager I
Lisle, IL – Intervarsity Press
Remote
Full time
To advance the purpose of InterVarsity Press, The Specialty Sales Manager will be responsible for increasing measurable and profitable sales in assigned markets and new accounts. The Specialty Sales Manager will be a sales hunter with proven cold calling sales experience. The Specialty Sales Manager must have experience in growing both existing accounts and opening new accounts.
Status: Exempt (salaried)
Location: Lisle, IL (hybrid/remote work agreement by arrangement – IVP is currently unable to employ remotely in California or Missouri or outside the United States)
Pay: $51,000-$55,000
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Personal:
Be a maturing disciple of Jesus Christ: growing in love for God, God’s Word, God’s people of every ethnicity and culture, and God’s purposes in the world.
Specialty Sales and Account Management
Build, maintain, and develop strategic partnerships within assigned accounts.
Sell IVP titles including frontlist, backlist, and seasonal promotions (across all imprints) to accounts within assigned territory.
Effectively manage (and grow) established accounts by developing and implementing clear and executable strategies.
Maintain current and accurate client information using IVP databases.
Aggressive cold calling (100 Phone Calls Per Day) to reach and sell into new accounts and markets.
Generate aggressive phone and e-mail follow up with established customers and prospects.
Motivated by the hunting and closing new business.
Navigate new accounts through the sales process including the introduction of standard discount structures.
Serve as the primary contact for IVP authors to place orders.
Collaborate across departments to ensure that author orders are received and shipped in a timely manner.
Keep accounts informed about new titles, special offers, publicity, social media pushes, and other efforts to provide customer service and increase sales.
Generate reporting of account performance, including new opportunities and challenges.
Show the ability to quickly grow and adapt within our evolving company.
Access customer’s needs and present creative ideas and product solutions to meet those needs.
Create weekly reporting for SMP leadership showing initial contacts, follow-up communication, weekly sales, and a communication plan for the following week.
Professional Development:
Stay up to date on industry trends and innovations in book publishing, sales development, and customer engagement, to continually improve outreach strategies and tactics.
Attend training events and conferences to remain current in the above areas.
All other duties as required
QUALIFICATIONS
Affirmation of InterVarsity’s Statement of Faith
Effective oral and written communication skills
Bachelor’s degree and/or relevant work experience required.
Minimum 2 years of sales experience with a demonstrated track record of sales goal achievement.
Publishing experience Is preferred.
Excellent written and spoken command of the English language.
Familiarity with InterVarsity Press and its titles, authors, and other publishing partners is preferred.
Excellent analytical, communication, and project management skills, and the ability to translate ideas into results.
Ability to prioritize, multi-task, meet deadlines, and work independently and collaboratively with a team.
Superior oral, presentation, and written communication skills.
Demonstrated execution, follow-through, and tenacity with client development and retention.
Demonstrated ability and commitment to work in a diverse team environment
Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure
Exceptional organizational and project management skills, detail-oriented and capable of managing multiple projects
Flexibility to travel 10-15% for conferences and sales appointments as needed
Demonstrated ability and commitment to work in a diverse team environment
Flexibility to attend Urbana Student Missions Conference every six years, Dec. 26-Jan.1, and National Staff Conference every three years (the year after Urbana), approximately Jan. 3-8
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Experience required as described in the section below (dependent on the level of the position posted). Relevant higher education will be taken into account and may reduce the experience required.
LEVELS IN JOB FAMILY (POSTING WILL STATE THE RELEVANT LEVEL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE POSTING)
Sales Manager I â Grade 7
The Sales Manager is responsible for all of the above duties and will have a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience. A bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field is preferred.
Sales Manager II â Grade 8
The Sales Manager II is responsible for all of the above duties and may take on a managerial role for key accounts. They will have at least 5 years of relevant experience and a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field is preferred. A graduate degree in a field related to IVP’s products is advantageous. They will be more involved with the development and implementation of new sales initiatives and strategies. They will do increased analytical work such as continually tracking digital media metrics and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to ensure growth.
Senior Sales Manager â Grade 9
The Senior Sales Manager is responsible for all of the above duties and will take on a managerial role for key accounts. They will have at least 5 years of relevant experience, demonstrating a history of increasing responsibilities, and a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field is preferred. A graduate degree in a field related to IVP’s products is advantageous. They will have strong leadership and project management skills and will assist the sales director/VP in leading sales strategy.
Along with increased analytical work to ensure growth and new sales opportunities, they will engage in more strategic work such as the identification of emerging markets and market shifts and tracking the development of new services and industry competitors.
Benefits:
We offer a competitive benefits package, including health care and retirement savings with a match. Eligibility is based on employee type and hours worked. Benefits include the following:
403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
403(b) matching contributions
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Employee discounts
Flexible work schedule
Flexible spending accounts
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Parental leave
Professional development assistance
Vision insurance
Equal Employment Opportunity:
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA is both an equal opportunity employer and a faith-based religious organization. We conduct hiring without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, marital status, parental status, membership in any labor organization, political ideology, or disability of an otherwise qualified individual. The status of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA as an equal opportunity employer does not prevent the organization from hiring staff based on their religious beliefs so that all staff share the same religious commitment.
Pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 702 (42 U.S.C. 2000e 1(a)) InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA has the right to, and does, hire only candidates who agree with InterVarsity’s Statement of Agreement: Purpose and Doctrinal Basis because InterVarsity believes that each and every staff plays a vital role in advancing InterVarsity’s mission and purposes.
