Director – Trade Sales

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Embody Lifeway’s mission and values by demonstrating a strong dedication to Kingdom work.

• Directly manage and expand trade retail channel partnerships across Christian retail, general market, mass market distribution, as well as ministry and specialty accounts.

• Recruit, coach, mentor, and nurture the Trade Retail and Distribution Sales team.

• Establish performance expectations while facilitating career advancement and succession planning.

• Develop and implement strategic growth plans for accounts related to new releases, backlist catalog, and custom publishing solutions.

• Collaborate with Publishing, Marketing, Finance, Creative, and IT teams to create effective go-to-market strategies.

• Create and oversee annual revenue budgets.

• Predict channel performance and manage expenses effectively.

• Supervise account negotiations, discount structures, and co-op agreements.

• Cultivate relationships with account buying, marketing, and merchandising teams.

• Drive annual growth in domestic trade channels with complete accountability for both top- and bottom-line results.

• Travel moderately, usually overnight, with occasional heavy seasonal travel.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Communication, or a related field is required.

• Over 10 years of progressive sales experience across various retail and distribution channels.

• More than 7 years of sales management experience focused on leading and developing sales teams.

• At least 5 years of experience in the publishing industry with a robust understanding of the market.

• Proficiency in trade sales strategy along with expertise in driving revenue and market share growth across multiple channel partners.

• Strong financial and P&L knowledge, including budget oversight and accountability for profitable revenue.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.

• Willingness to travel moderately within the country, typically overnight.

• Active participation in an evangelical Christian church.

• Preferred experience in channel forecasting, demand planning, and managing a multi-brand product portfolio.

• Existing relationships with key trade retail and distribution accounts are preferred.

• Familiarity with Salesforce CRM is preferred.

• Preferred experience in supporting or managing custom publishing programs.

🏝️ Benefits

• A robust Work from Anywhere (WFA) culture that offers autonomy and flexible work hours.

• Provision of equipment and resources to ensure a productive and ergonomic workspace.

• Travel arrangements made for essential team gatherings for remote-based team members.

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage.

• Paid vacation and sick leave.

• Holiday pay.

• Care days.

• 401(k) retirement plan.

• Maternity and parental leave.

• Adoption assistance.

• Time off for mission trips.

• All-team meetings held several times a year.

• Occasional in-person team gatherings in Nashville.