Associate Sales Director, Independent Retail Channel (NYC Hybrid)

HarperCollins Publishers • New York, NY

8h • $95,000 - $130,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a strategic, data-driven, and collaborative Associate Sales Director to support our Independent Retail Channel. This role bridges sales strategy with day-to-day execution, serving as a key partner to senior leadership while supporting field sales teams and internal stakeholders. The ideal candidate is both a strong operator and a forward-thinking strategist—passionate about books, deeply familiar with the independent bookstore landscape, and energized by working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. This role reports to the VP, Independent Sales & Wholesale.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 5–8+ years of sales, publishing, or related experience, preferably within the independent bookstore channel.
• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution.
• Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting sales data and trends.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of communications, effectively prioritizing competing and often equal-urgency requests while maintaining responsiveness and accuracy.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of organization and attention to detail.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience supporting or leading teams is a plus.
• Experience with BI tools (e.g., Power BI) preferred.
• Passion for books, reading, and the independent bookstore community.
• Collaborative mindset with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.
• Comfort with public speaking and presenting to internal and external audiences.
• Innovative thinker with a focus on process improvement and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the VP, Independent Sales & Wholesale to execute strategic plans that drive growth and market share in the independent bookstore channel.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to align sales efforts with publishing goals.
• Analyze sales performance, market trends, and account-level data to identify new opportunities.
• Contribute to seasonal sales planning, forecasting, and inventory projections.
• Represent independent sales needs in cross-functional meetings.
• Work closely with Retail Marketing, Publicity, and Publishing teams to align sales strategies with campaign goals.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and support to the field sales team.
• Collaborate on new account support and growth with the Inside Sales Team, Sales Manager.
• Serve as a central hub for communication, ensuring sales reps are equipped with timely updates, sales materials, and inventory insights.
• Manage key programs such as indie terms, promotional campaigns, seasonal offers.
• Develop and deliver compelling title presentations and selling tools tailored to independent bookstores.
• Prepare and organize materials for sales meetings and seasonal conferences.
• Ensure reps are aligned with internal timelines, priorities, and campaign strategies.
• Collaborate with the VP, Independent Sales & Wholesale on channel reporting, including weekly sales updates, title performance, and market insights.
• Develop and deliver actionable analysis on sales data, including comp title performance and overall channel health.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to align reporting with publishing and sales objectives.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package, with a variety of physical health, retirement and savings, caregiving, emotional wellbeing, transportation, and other benefits, including "elective" benefits employees may select to best fit the needs and personal situations of our diverse workforce.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree