Challenging regional sales role

A charismatic person with good interpersonal skills is needed for this position at an international publisher in science, technology and medicine.

To expand the editorial and sales and marketing activities in the fast-growing Asian regional market, Springer Science+Business Media is looking for a director of regional sales and marketing to lead teams in offices across North and Southeast Asia.

Based in Hong Kong, the director will manage and work with regional sales and marketing teams for Springer's scientific journals and books in print and electronic form.

This is an important role because 'the development of electronic publishing offers many challenges as well as exciting opportunities for business development. And the Asia market, especially China, offers the highest potential for business growth', said Helen Luk, human resource, finance and administration manager at Springer.

'The invention of the internet and digital publishing technology has reshaped the landscape of the global scientific publishing business over the past 10 years,' she said.

Global search engines such as Google and internet-based electronic publishing platforms had changed the work behaviour of scientific researchers, she explained. Since 2006, more than half of the revenue of the science, technology and medicine (STM) publishing industry has come from electronic products. And though STM publications in print format still have a significant share in the overall revenue, it is expected to be replaced by the same contents in electronic format gradually.

'The ideal candidate should have a track record of regional sales experience in sales and marketing of printed and electronic products to academic and corporate libraries in the North and Southeast region.'

Other duties would include maintaining and expanding the existing customer base, building, maintaining and enhancing business working relationships with all sales and distribution channels including service agencies, and preparing and submitting operational and management reports regularly.

'The role is a demanding one, and the person must expect to travel a lot,' Ms Luk said. 'It would be challenging for one to lead an Asian sales and marketing team to achieve the growth.'

The director would have to travel at least two to three times a month to visit sales and marketing offices, attend local and international conferences and exhibitions and global sales and marketing meetings held by the group. But the job would prove to have many rewards with much opportunity for career growth.

'Working in the Asian STM business community provides many opportunities for career development internationally.'

Fluency in English and Putonghua is a must.