Account Manager – Journals & eBooks (West Africa)

About the Role
We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Account Manager to lead the growth of our Journals and eBooks business in West Africa. This role will focus on expanding institutional sales, managing key accounts, and strengthening high-value relationships with consortiums. The ideal candidate will be responsible for driving year-on-year growth, ensuring deeper market penetration, and implementing strategic account management initiatives aligned with regional business goals.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Account & Relationship Management

• Cultivate strong relationships with university libraries, research institutions, and government bodies to expand our footprint.
• Act as a trusted advisor to institutions, guiding them on emerging trends in Open Access, Digital learning, and Research dissemination.
• Engage with Vice Chancellors, Library Directors, Research Heads, and Procurement Teams to ensure long-term customer retention.
• Serve as the key relationship manager for all consortiums in West Africa, negotiate deals, renewals, and strategic partnerships.

2. Business Growth & Revenue Management

• Achieve minimum 20% growth over previous years' revenue by identifying new business opportunities and upselling to existing clients.
• Develop and execute a strategic account plan to increase eBooks and journal subscriptions across academic institutions, corporates, and government sectors.
• Work closely with Global teams to implement pricing, bundling, and subscription models that maximize revenue.
• Drive adoption of blended models/ Read & Publish (R&P) agreements ensuring alignment with evolving Open Access (OA) policies as relevant.

3. Market Development & Strategic Initiatives

• Identify and engage with potential consortium partners, universities, and professional bodies to drive adoption of digital resources.
• Collaborate with marketing and product teams to position eBooks and journal collections effectively in the market.
• Provide market insights and competitive intelligence to shape future account strategies.

4. Internal Collaboration & Reporting

• Work closely with internal stakeholders, including marketing, editorial, and customer service teams, to ensure seamless client engagement.
• Track account performance, pipeline health, and market trends, providing regular reports and forecasts to leadership.
• Participate in regional and global account management meetings, sharing best practices and strategic inputs.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable sales experience in B2B account management, institutional engagement, or publishing sales (experience in eBooks, journals, or academic publishing preferred).
• Ability to travel across countries in West Africa and, if required, other African regions for key client meetings and industry events.
• Proven track record in driving revenue growth, managing high-value accounts, and closing complex deals.
• Strong experience in account management, particularly with consortiums.
• Knowledge of Open Access, Read & Publish models, and digital content licensing is a strong advantage.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Additional Information

Closing Date: Applications will close on 1 Dec 2026.

• Location:
• Candidates must have the right to live and work in UAE. This role is based in our office in Dubai and will involve frequent travel across countries in West Africa and, if required, other African regions for key client meetings and industry events.
• We believe that great things happen when people connect face-to-face. That's why we work in-person with each other, or with customers and partners, three days a week or more. When not spending time together in one of our offices or other workplaces – like at conferences – you get the flexibility and support to work from home or remotely.
• We ask that candidates live within a commutable distance of our Dubai office to ensure that as a balanced worker they can make it to our office location to collaborate as required.

We want all our candidates to shine in our recruitment process. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to ensure you are able to show us your best self. This could include having the application form in a different format, more time for questions, or anything else – please ask us, we are happy to be flexible!

Being Yourself
If you’re excited about working with us to foster human progress through knowledge, we invite you to apply even if your existing skills and experience don’t fit every item listed above. We are at our best and most successful when colleagues can be themselves and contribute regardless of their identity or background. Our goal is to empower you with the resources, incentives, and flexibility you need to enjoy success at work and to live a healthy, balanced life.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in and value diversity of people and thought, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where all colleagues can learn and succeed as their true selves. We recruit, develop, and retain colleagues without regard to any protected personal characteristics or other non-merit-based factor.
If you have a disability or face another barrier, and would like to request an adjustment to assist your participation in the hiring process and/or in the advertised position, please contact us. Your request will be reviewed and considered in the strictest confidence.
We genuinely care about our colleagues, promoting work-life balance, wellbeing, and flexible working. We believe that the skills and experience you bring are invaluable. We want you to have the opportunity to develop your abilities and to continue in areas which you are passionate about.