Head of Sales (Academic Publishing)

TL;DR

Head of Sales (Academic Publishing): Leading sales operations across Northern China for academic journals, books, eBooks, and digital content with an accent on revenue growth, market expansion, and high-performing team development. Focus on designing territory strategies, closing complex institutional deals, using analytics to improve performance, and building sustainable commercial growth.

Location: Beijing, China; must live within commuting distance of the Haidian office and work in person at least three days per week. The role requires the right to work and live in China, business travel, and does not provide relocation support.

Company

An international academic publishing, business intelligence, knowledge, and events organization producing peer-reviewed books, journals, and digital content.

What you will do

• Design and execute one- to three-year territory plans focused on revenue, profitability, market share, and expansion.
• Lead sales operations across Northern China and deliver annual revenue and profit targets.
• Build, manage, mentor, and develop a high-performing sales team through delegation, coaching, and performance management.
• Develop institutional, academic, government, distributor, and partner relationships while acquiring new accounts.
• Represent the organization in major negotiations, partnerships, conferences, book fairs, and industry networks.
• Use sales analytics, KPIs, and Six Sigma improvement methods to optimize performance, resource allocation, and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of significant sales experience, including leadership in high-pressure, results-driven environments.
• Considerable knowledge of academic publishing and academic content business models, with an established network across academic communities, funders, distributors, and government agencies.
• Proven success in achieving ambitious revenue targets and leading, motivating, and developing high-performing sales teams.
• Strong analytical, strategic, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Native Mandarin and full professional proficiency in English are required.
• Must be based in Beijing, have the right to work and live in China, and be able to work from the office at least three days per week.

Nice to have

• Experience expanding into new geographic markets and developing untapped commercial opportunities.
• Willingness and availability to travel domestically and internationally for business, conferences, and book fairs.

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible balanced working model combining office, customer, conference, and home-based work.
• 20 days of annual leave, plus an additional birthday day off.
• 14 days of paid sick leave and four paid volunteering days annually.
• Social insurance, housing fund, supplementary medical insurance, and annual health screening for employees and spouses.
• Performance bonus, employee assistance programme, and 24/7 well-being support.

Hiring process

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with interviews conducted alongside advertising.
• Reasonable adjustments and alternative application formats can be requested during the recruitment process.