Sales assistant, Children's (6-month FTC)

Closing date: 23rd September 2024

Salary: £27,500 plus bonus and benefits.

Are you an excellent communicator and organiser? Are you interested in data and learning about how we sell our children’s books?

Penguin Random House Children’s (PRHC) is the number 1 children’s publisher in the UK and this role will include the opportunity to work on our stellar list, from pre-school authors like Peter Rabbit and Bluey, to books for older readers from authors like Katie Kirby and Malorie Blackman.

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Children’s sales team on a 6-month Fixed Term basis. As a sales assistant, you will play a crucial role in the efficient operation and smooth-running of our busy sales department, and support in an administrative capacity to allow the team to do their best sales work.

What you'll do

Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Tracking the sales performance of key titles
• Assisting in the preparation for customer meetings by completing title information grids, gathering samples, and updating PowerPoint presentations
• Updating internal stakeholders with sales figures
• Providing essential administrative support to the team as needed
• Assisting the sales team in ensuring the smooth processing of orders

What you’ll bring

We’re not looking for previous publishing experience. Instead, we’re looking for someone who is ready to be one of the faces of the Children’s sales team, working with both internal colleagues and external stakeholders. An interest in children’s books and what we publish is desirable, and so is an interest in the data and systems side of the role. We’re also looking for:

• Excellent relationship building and communication skills
• Adaptability (for example, to quickly learn new systems and processes)
• Keen attention to detail
• The ability to prioritise effectively and at pace
• An eagerness to learn and be proactive

Disability Confident

If you have opted into our disability confident scheme below is the minimum criteria you must meet to be considered for our interview scheme. Please note, there may be occasions where the volume of applicants means we can’t take all eligible candidates to interview.

Minimum criteria

• Demonstrable interest in sales and children’s books
• Proven written ability showcased through your application
• Experience/ Knowledge of MS Office Excel/Word/ Outlook
• Demonstrable understanding of managing multiple stakeholders at varying seniorities
• Demonstrable communication skills

How to apply

Please apply with your CV and Cover Letter by 23:59 on Monday 23rd September. Please note untailored Cover Letters will not be accepted.

About Penguin

We’re the UK’s largest publisher; made up of some 2,000 people and publishing over 1,500 books each year. Our doors are open to all kinds of talent. In a constantly evolving industry, we work hard to stretch the definition of the word publisher. Here, you’ll work with a breadth of talent who all play their part to make each of our books a success. Together, we make books for everyone because a book can change anyone.

Competitive benefits package

Our people are the heart of our business, and we work hard to support a culture of responsibility and recognition.

Our benefits include:

• Financial – discounted shopping, season ticket loan, rental deposit loan
• Wellbeing - healthcare cash plan, employee assistance, gym loan
• Lifestyle – taste card, tech scheme, free and discounted books

Hybrid working

We’re experimenting with a hybrid way of working that suits the needs of each team. While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. The exact balance of office to remote working will depend on the nature of the role and team needs - for this role, we expect that you will attend the office 2 days a week, and we are open to discussing this further through the recruitment process.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries. 

Please state in your application that you found this role through Creative Access.