Senior Director, Sales & Marketing

Lonely Planet, the world’s leading guidebook publisher, is seeking a Senior Director of Sales & Marketing, North America to lead the company’s commercial operations across the United States and Canada. This senior leadership role will set the vision for North American growth, build long-term strategies that expand Lonely Planet’s market presence, and deliver ambitious revenue results.

As the senior-most commercial leader for the region, the role requires a strategic, forward-looking operator with deep publishing and retail expertise who can maximise the value of our 3rd-party Sales & Distribution partners while also maintaining direct relationships with key accounts. This is an opportunity to represent one of the world’s most iconic travel brands at a time of investment and innovation.

What You’Ll Do:

• Set Vision & Strategy
• Define and deliver a multi-year sales and marketing roadmap for North America, aligned with Lonely Planet’s global strategy.
• Identify and pursue transformative growth opportunities across traditional retail, online platforms, and new distribution channels.
• Drive Commercial Outcomes
• Set and hit ambitious revenue targets across U.S. and Canadian markets.
• Establish scalable processes and data-driven frameworks to optimize sales performance, marketing ROI, and operational efficiency.
• Lead Partnerships & Representation
• Build senior-level relationships with key retail partners, distributors, and industry stakeholders.
• Represent Lonely Planet at major trade, retail, and publishing events as a senior spokesperson.
• Negotiate and evolve 3rd-party sales and distribution agreements to maximize cost/revenue balance.
• Inspire & Develop Talent
• Lead, coach, and develop a sales and marketing team, ensuring a culture of accountability, innovation, and high performance.
• Actively mentor and build the next generation of Lonely Planet commercial leaders.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Partner closely with Publishing and Marketing to translate market insights into product development and impactful campaigns.
• Influence company-wide strategies by contributing North American perspective to global leadership forums.
• Define and deliver a multi-year sales and marketing roadmap for North America, aligned with Lonely Planet’s global strategy.
• Identify and pursue transformative growth opportunities across traditional retail, online platforms, and new distribution channels.
• Set and hit ambitious revenue targets across U.S. and Canadian markets.
• Establish scalable processes and data-driven frameworks to optimize sales performance, marketing ROI, and operational efficiency.
• Build senior-level relationships with key retail partners, distributors, and industry stakeholders.
• Represent Lonely Planet at major trade, retail, and publishing events as a senior spokesperson.
• Negotiate and evolve 3rd-party sales and distribution agreements to maximize cost/revenue balance.
• Lead, coach, and develop a sales and marketing team, ensuring a culture of accountability, innovation, and high performance.
• Actively mentor and build the next generation of Lonely Planet commercial leaders.
• Partner closely with Publishing and Marketing to translate market insights into product development and impactful campaigns.
• Influence company-wide strategies by contributing North American perspective to global leadership forums.

What We’Re Looking For:

• 10+ years of progressive sales and marketing leadership, with at least 5 years leading at a regional/national scope. Background in publishing strongly preferred.
• Deep understanding of book retail, both physical and online, and strong networks across the trade publishing ecosystem.
• Track record of managing managers, building high-performing teams, and developing future leaders.
• Proven ability to set vision, align cross-functional teams, and influence executive-level stakeholders.
• Skilled at balancing strategic priorities with operational rigor; able to establish scalable processes while driving immediate results.
• Dynamic and persuasive communicator, confident public speaker, and strong storyteller using data-driven insights.
• Consultative, curious, analytical, and entrepreneurial, thriving in high-performance, fast-changing environments.
• A genuine enthusiasm for travel, publishing, and Lonely Planet’s mission to inspire and guide global exploration.

Compensation:

• Cash Compensation Range: $150,000 - 200,000 + bonus & commission incentive
• New York City Cash Compensation Range: $187,500 - 250,000 + bonus & commission incentive

*Note actual salary is based on geographic location, qualifications, and experience 

Additionally, the following benefits are provided by Red Ventures, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Health Insurance Coverage (medical, dental, and vision)
• Life Insurance
• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Holiday Pay
• 401(k) with match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Parental Bonding Benefit Program
• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO): We believe time to rest and recharge is essential.  That’s why we offer a generous and flexible PTO policy.  Full-time employees accrue 20 days of PTO for a full calendar year annually, with an increase to 25 days after five years of service.

Who We Are:

Founded in 2000, Red Ventures (RV) is home to a diverse portfolio of industry-leading brands and businesses, strategic partnerships and proprietary technology, including Bankrate, Lonely Planet, The Points Guy, BestColleges and more. Together, RV helps millions of people worldwide make life’s most important decisions, accelerates digital adaptation, and innovates the online consumer experience by improving every step of the consumer journey from first discovery of information, throughout the decision-making process, to transactions. Headquartered south of Charlotte, NC, Red Ventures employs thousands of people across the US and Puerto Rico, with international offices in the UK and Brazil. For more information, visit https://redventures.com and follow @RedVentures on social platforms.

At Red Ventures, we believe diverse, inclusive teams are better. To help you better understand our core values and beliefs, we encourage you to watch this brief YouTube video: Our Belief Statements. This will give you insight into the principles that guide our work and our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment.

 We offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits program for full-time employees, including medical, dental and vision coverage, paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, 401(k) plan and a paid parental leave program.

Red Ventures is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or any other basis protected by law. Employment at Red Ventures is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications. 

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. This includes providing reasonable accommodation where appropriate. Should you require a reasonable accommodation to apply or participate in the job application or interview process, please contact accommodation@redventures.com. 

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents linked here.

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