Job Title: Publishing Section Head
Department: Sandstorm Comics
Role Purpose:
Lead and execute comprehensive sales and distribution strategies for Abu Dhabi’s gaming and comics industries. This role plays a critical part in enhancing visibility, driving ecosystem participation, and aligning initiatives with Abu Dhabi’s Creative Economy objectives and DCT’s strategic vision.
Key Responsibilities:
Publishing Strategy:
- Develop and execute a comprehensive publishing strategy that aligns with the department’s goals and market trends.
- Analyze market trends and customer feedback to identify new sales opportunities.
- Identify emerging market opportunities and niches, and devise plans to capitalize on them ensuring alignment with the comic’s strategy.
- Collaborate with senior management to set annual publishing targets and revenue goals
Sales & Distribution:
- Ensure working closely with distribution partners, retailers, and wholesalers to ensure optimal availability and placement of books in physical and online stores.
- Monitor sales performance, analyse market trends, and make data-driven decisions to enhance distribution strategies.
- Stay informed about industry trends, market changes, and emerging technologies that could impact the publishing landscape.
- Coordinate with the editorial team to align sales initiatives with publishing schedules
- Manage inventory levels to prevent stockouts and overstock situations.
- Plan and manage on-ground sales operations at events such as book fairs, comic conventions, and pop-up activations.
- Lead and manage all aspects of publishing sales and distribution strategies, ensuring strong international and local market presence.
- Expand global distribution channels, including retail, digital platforms, and licensing opportunities.
- Identify and secure partnerships with international publishers and platforms to increase reach and revenue.
- Monitor sales performance and distribution effectiveness, using insights to optimize growth strategies.
Marketing & Promotion:
- Collaborate with marketing team to ensure the development of marketing and promotional strategies to maximize the visibility and sales of published books.
- Collaborate with the marketing team and Strategic Marketing and communications sector team to create effective campaigns, including online and offline marketing initiatives.
Partnerships & Representation:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with global industry stakeholders, including publishers, platforms, and distributors.
- Represent the organization at key international book fairs, publishing summits, and cultural industry events.
- Serve as a brand ambassador, promoting the region’s creative ecosystem and attracting foreign investment into local publishing projects.
Shared Activities
Strategic Contribution:
- Ensure effective cascading of the functional strategy into section business plans to ensure vertical alignment and horizontal integration with other interfacing sectional strategies.
People Management:
- Manage the effective achievement of assigned objectives through the leadership of the Section by setting of individual objectives, managing performance, developing and motivating staff to maximize performance.
- Lead the talent development initiatives for the assigned section, collaborating with technical/discipline experts and thereby ensure the availability of talent to fit business requirements.
- Act as a role model and drive adherence to organizational values and ethics by employees of the assigned section to foster a value driven culture within the organization.
Budgeting and Financial Planning:
- Manage the preparation and recommend the section budget and monitor financial performance versus the budget while ensuring all sectional activities are conducted in line with the approved guidelines.
Policies, Systems, Processes & Procedures:
- Manage and ensure effective implementation of functional policies, procedures and controls covering all areas of assigned section activity so that all relevant procedural/legislative requirements are fulfilled while delivering a quality, cost-effective service.
Continuous Improvement:
- Lead the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement and sustainability of systems, processes and practices considering global standards, productivity improvement and cost reduction.
EHS:
- Adhere to the DCT Occupational Safety and Health policy, regulations, and laws, and provide help to the Corporate EHS in executing the OSHMS.
- Report any incidents, near misses, occupational illnesses, unsafe practices, and conditions immediately to the concerned person and participate in the investigation of OSH incidents, as required.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Publishing, Marketing, Business, Media, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
- Minimum of 6-8 years of experience in publishing, content distribution, or media sales, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
- Proven track record in international distribution and commercial deal-making.
- Strong network within the publishing or creative content industry.
- Experience with brand development and multi-channel marketing campaigns.
Skills:
- Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate staff to achieve goal.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with keen attention to detail and a strong command of grammar and style.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute publishing strategies in alignment with organizational objective.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
- Knowledge of publishing software and technology platforms, with the ability to leverage technology to enhance publishing processes.
- Familiarity with copyright laws, publishing contracts, and industry best practices
- Creative problem-solver with a passion for literature, writing, and storytelling.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while maintaining a positive attitude and fostering a collaborative team culture.
