Head of Sales, Asia & Middle East

Pan Macmillan UK is one of the largest general book publishers in the UK, with imprints including Macmillan, Mantle, Pan, Picador, Boxtree, Sidgwick & Jackson, Bello, Tor, Kingfisher, Macmillan Children's Books, Two Hoots, Bluebird, Campbell Books, Macmillan New Writing and Macmillan Digital Audio. Pan Macmillan is part of Macmillan Publishers International Limited.

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 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: Guide, support and develop the UK-based Asia & Middle East team, as well as the teams in Hong Kong and China.

Build strong customer partnerships: Manage relationships with major international book shops, accounts and distributors to grow 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 guide 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 represented in your territories, currently including Macmillan USA and Guinness World Records.

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

• International publishing sales experience: Experience in a sales role within the publishing industry, focusing 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: 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 senior external partners and internal teams.
• Inclusion and representation: Active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices, ensuring the workplace and publishing reflect the communities served.
• Community: Collaborative approach to building a supportive and vibrant environment.
• Curiosity: Strong drive for learning and readiness to embrace different perspectives.
• Integrity: Openness and honesty, taking responsibility for actions and learning from mistakes.

What you’ll get 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.

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.

Benefits we offer:

• 28 days’ annual leave increasing with years of service + bank holidays
• Discounted private medical insurance or health cash plan
• Enhanced family pay and leave
• Flexible working hours and summer hours (early finish on a Friday during summer months)
• 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

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.

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 Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed. You are never required to disclose a disability to us, and you only need to share what you feel comfortable with.

We are also a private employer and provide reasonable adjustments for applicants with accessibility needs. For all candidates, we embrace the process and you can contact Kayelle Danyluk (Head of Talent Acquisition) at kayelle.danyluk@macmillan.com for support.

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.

All personal information processed in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with the Recruitment Privacy Notice.