Managing Director - Bookstore & Publishing at Bradfield Consulting

Our client is a fully registered private limited liability company with several subsidiaries. This is an exciting company to work for as it is a leader in its field and dominates huge local markets.

The company seeks a dynamic and experienced Managing Director to lead the business towards a steep increase in the commercial performance and development of the Bookstore and Publishing department in response to market needs in association with the printing press to ensure that books are published within set deadlines according to the budget and are of the highest quality.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Schedule and monitor progress of titles to ensure that books are published on time, according to the Publishing Plan.
• To further develop and execute an effective publishing/brand development strategy for brands and play a key role in the wider development of the group as part of the publishing team
• Allocate budgets to editorial projects and track the spend on these projects.
• Monitor Publishers to ensure that sound publishing processes are followed to ensure quality.
• Review and improve publishing processes on an ongoing basis.
• Research and recommend programs, policies and procedures to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the bookstore function, including new software, internal controls, new electronic payment technologies, and customer service.
• Assess academic and store needs for all resale and store supply products, including textbooks.
• Research products and negotiate pricing, quality and delivery.
• Generate purchase orders, set pricing for resale, and authorize payment to vendors.
• Explore new and existing ways of generating higher revenues in order that we exceed the targets set in the budget, on and off-line where appropriate.
• Optimize the yields while developing strong market share and to foster a highly motivated team of people. Developing strategic operating plans that reflect the long-term objectives and priorities established by the board;
• Ensure that the Company meets its corporate, statutory and fiscal obligations
• Reporting to the Managing Director of the holding company on a regular basis;
• Putting in place adequate operational planning and financial control systems;
• Assuming full accountability to the Managing Director of the holding company for all company operations;
• Representing the company to major customers and professional associations

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

The Prospect must demonstrate:

• Good Communication Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Process and result oriented, self-starter, with good analytical skills Leadership Skills
• Networking Skills
• Product Knowledge
• Feedback &Reporting skills
• Management skills
• Computer literate

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Degree in production management, Business management, Economics
• An MBA will be an advantage.
• 12 years of previous experience of a publishing role, at least 4 of which should be in an editorial/publishing department at a senior position
• Highly commercial with a good understanding of the challenges facing publishing including circulation
• Minimum years of industry experience: 10years
• Experience in effectively managing budgets, including P&L, forecast and management reporting
• Editorial empathy and a good understanding of how brands communicate with their audience
• Understanding of multi-channel Brand Development or New Product Development