Client Growth Specialist

at  MDPI UK

A pioneer in scholarly open access publishing, MDPI has supported academic communities since 1996. Our mission is to foster open scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. We operate more than 400 diverse, peer-reviewed, open access journals supported by over 35,500 academic editors. We serve scholars from around the world to ensure the latest research is openly and broadly available.
Location: Manchester
This is a full-time in office role. The office is located next to Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester.
Summary: This business development role is important in driving revenue growth by selling our digital platforms and associated services to potential clients in the scholarly publishing industry. The primary responsibility will be to identify leads, engage with prospective clients, and establish new agreements that lead to beneficial commercial outcomes. This role may in future also help develop and sell new MDPI services/products to other institutions.

QUALIFICATION:

• 5+ years of proven track record of success in B2B sales, preferably in the academic publishing or technology sector.
• Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and trust with clients.
• Self-motivated and results-driven with a proactive approach to sales.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in using CRM software and other sales tools.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field (preferred).
  Other: This role may require occasional travel to attend industry events, client meetings, or conferences.
  Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications associated with the role.

Prospecting and Lead Generation:

• Research and identify potential clients within the target market (smaller publishers, university presses, etc.). Utilize various channels including online research, networking, and industry events to generate leads.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospects.

Client Engagement and Relationship Management:

• Initiate contact with prospects (personalized outreach).
• Conduct product demonstrations and presentations to showcase the features and benefits of our digital platforms and services.
• Nurture relationships with clients through regular follow-ups and timely responses to inquiries.
• Understand clients’ needs and tailor solutions to address their specific requirements.

Sales Process Management:

• Manage the entire sales cycle from lead generation to closing deals.
• Prepare and present proposals, quotes, and contracts to prospective clients.
• Negotiate terms and pricing agreements in line with company policies and objectives.
• Collaborate with internal teams such as marketing and product development to ensure alignment with client requirements.
• Ensure smooth implementation of new agreements by supervising the hand-over process to the delivery team after contract signature.

Market Intelligence and Feedback:

• Stay informed about industry trends, competitive landscape, and market developments.
• Provide feedback to the management team regarding product improvements, pricing strategies, and market insights.
• Continuously update knowledge about our products and services to effectively communicate value propositions to clients.

Sales Reporting and Performance Metrics:

• Maintain accurate records of sales activities, customer interactions, and deal status.