Rheolwr Datblygu Busnes​/Business Development Manager

The Books Council is a national charity that supports the publishing industry and reading development in Wales. We promote literacy and reading for pleasure through our range of campaigns, activities, and events throughout Wales, often working in partnership with schools, libraries, and other literary organisations. The Council was founded at Aberystwyth in 1961, and we work with publishers to nurture talent and new content in Welsh and English, in addition to providing specialist services such as editing, design, marketing and distribution.

We are also responsible for administering grants to publishers and independent booksellers. Our funding comes partly from the Welsh Government through Creative Wales, and partly from commercial activities and the wholesale book-selling service provided by our Distribution Centre. The Books Council receives grant funding for our reading promotion programmes 2025–28 from the Curriculum for Wales Grant Support Programme.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with sales and marketing experience in the publishing sector, who is able to establish strong relationships with clients and who enjoys working independently. You will develop business growth opportunities to help the Books Council of Wales to achieve our strategic objectives and support the publishing industry in Wales. This key role is based at the Books Council’s Distribution Centre in Aberystwyth.

A keen interest in Wales and its independent publishing sector is essential.

This role can be home-based in Wales with regular visits to the Distribution Centre. Fluent Welsh or the willingness to learn within two years is essential – support to learners will be available. Full-time, permanent.

• Experience working for a publisher and detailed understanding of their needs and priorities.
• Commercial acumen and sales skills and the ability to seek out and develop new opportunities. The aim is to deliver targets and growth to ensure the long-term success of our business and help clients reach their sales potential.
• Proven relationship management skills with a strong customer service ethic, to build positive working relationships with clients and in-house colleagues.
• Strong organisational, administrative and computer skills, along with the ability to manage your time and prioritise your work. Extensive experience of Microsoft Excel is needed, and the ability to analyse and present data to a range of audiences. Experience in specialist publishing programmes would be an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills together with the ability to collaborate with many partners. You will need leadership and management skills and be confident with dealing with people at all levels, online and in person.
• Experience and interest in publishing in Wales in both Welsh and English, and an awareness of current trends, authors and titles.
• Being fluent in Welsh or a commitment to learn with the aim of becoming fluent (spoken Welsh) within 2 years is essential. Support will be available to learn Welsh.