W. W. Norton is seeking a dynamic National Retail Accounts Director to grow the visibility and commercial success of its children’s publishing program, including its distribution client lists. This role will shape overall strategy for children’s sales with national chains, strengthen major retail partnerships, and expand Norton’s presence in the children’s marketplace.
The National Retail Accounts Director sells Norton children’s books to Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and relevant mass merchandisers. The ideal candidate brings a passion for children’s books, strong commercial instincts, data-informed decision-making, and the ability to turn marketplace insights into sales growth.
Seated in Norton’s Trade sales team, the director also works closely with Norton’s director of children's books and strategic development to implement growth plans across the children’s publishing program, working with colleagues in editorial, design, marketing, and publicity to champion standout books, identify opportunities, and deliver results.
Key Responsibilities
- Responsible for sales growth of children’s books and relevant client publisher titles across Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and mass merchandisers (i.e., Target.)
- Strengthen account partnerships through business reviews, backlist analysis, category insights, and compelling sales presentations.
- Manage vendor systems and programs that support print and digital sales.
- Create and execute account-specific strategies that maximize frontlist momentum, unlock backlist opportunities, and support sustained revenue growth.
- Drive visibility and placement for key launches, seasonal programs, exclusives, and value offerings.
- Use sales analysis, forecasting, and tracking to recommend growth opportunities to internal stakeholders.
- Support the various children’s publishers and imprints with title feedback, sales analysis, marketplace trends, and competitive insights serving to drive key acquisitions.
- Partner with marketing and publicity teams to build campaigns that grow sales, increase market share, and elevate Norton’s profile.
- Collaborate with internal sales leadership to align account priorities with broader organizational goals.
Required Qualifications
- Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.
- Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage priorities, deadlines, accuracy, and attention to detail.
- 8-10 years of recent experience managing and selling national accounts, with a proven record of driving sales growth in the U.S. children’s publishing market.
- Employment eligibility to work with W.W. Norton & Company in the US is required.
- Must be able to work full business hours.
- Bachelor’s degree.
Compensation and Benefits*
Currently available benefits include:
- Annual salary for this position is $100,000-$115,000. This role is also eligible for annual discretionary bonuses. All salaries and salary ranges posted by Norton may vary depending on experience, skills, location, and like considerations.
- Generous paid time off, paid holidays, and summer Friday afternoons beginning in July
- Generous health benefits, including PPO, EPO, and High Deductible (with HSA) medical insurance options, vision insurance, dental insurance, flexible spending accounts for healthcare, dependent care and commuter, gym membership reimbursement, and more. Coverage for spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children is available.
- Profit-Sharing and 401(k) benefit plan with discretionary contribution matching by employer
- Disability and life insurances
- FMLA, parental and other leave
- Employee Assistance Program (for mental health, financial planning, and other needs)
- Company-provided laptop
- Employee discounts on Norton books
- Limited matching of employee donations to select non-profit organizations
*All policies and benefits described are subject to change at any time.