Country Manager at Cambridge University Press

Cambridge University Press & Assessment – We unlock the potential of millions of people worldwide. Our assessments, publications and research spread knowledge, spark enquiry and aid understanding around the world.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Country Manager, Nigeria

Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Reports to: Press Regional Director: Sub Saharan Africa
Division / Department: Cambridge Nigeria
Division: English, Education
Vacancy Type: Permanent

Main Job Purpose
To lead and coordinate activities for Cambridge Nigeria in Nigeria to achieve Cambridge University Press & Assessment objectives and in line with Cambridge values.

Responsible

• Responsible for all activities of the Press in Nigeria (Marketing and promoting Teaching and Learning Resources/Finance & Operations).
• Building a single high performing team to deliver the vision with direct/indirect management of local and Cambridge-based resources to achieve the vision for the market
• Liaises wth Schools, Distributors, British Council, educational institutions, aid funders, NERDC, the Ministry of Education (externally) Publishing and Assessment (internally)

Products:

• Cambridge Pathway, Teaching and Learning resources (CLS, ELT & NERDC), Teacher Training and Formative Assessment (CEM)

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Strategy:

• Plan and co-develop appropriate strategy for Cambridge Nigeria (in consultation with all role players)
• Monitor strategy closely and adapt when necessary
• Make an effective contribution to budgets, 4-year plans and business plans
• Generate new ideas for product, marketing methods and services
• Display keen awareness of competitors’ strategies and use this information to define ours.
• Communicate plans and strategy to other departments via regular meetings

Performance Criteria:

• Sales and marketing plan and strategy is co-developed by November of each year
• Attend regular meetings to review the strategy and budget as necessary
• Provide valuable input in terms of market trends and opportunities
• Ensure all stakeholders are involved and informed of the publishing and marketing strategy

Weighting % of Time / Frequency:

• 15%

Profitability:

• Draw up budgets accurately in collaboration with relevant stakeholders
• Keep expenditure within overhead budgets
• Give input on price decisions in order to make the agreed gross margin but also be market competitive
• Attend debtors’ meetings and give assistance with debt collection from agents and key customers
• Adhere to credit management policy with all customers

Performance Criteria:

• Budgets are completed as per stipulated deadlines
• Performance in line with budgeted contribution
• Expenditure occurred within agreed budgets
• Financial Director advised and supported regarding maximizing cash collection on a monthly basis
• Resources leveraged to improve profitability

Weighting % of Time / Frequency:

• 15%

Marketing:

• Work with clients and agents, ensuring client satisfaction and expectations are met.
• Manage key accounts by building relations, prescribing and selling products and manage overall performance of accounts in all territories in order to meet set targets.

Performance Criteria:

• All client queries are dealt with in a professional and timely manner

Weighting % of Time / Frequency:

• 25%

Sales:

• Meet sales forecast
• Meet with stakeholders to agree sales budgets and monitor regularly
• Report on sales and market conditions via monthly report
• Conduct all business in an ethical manner and in accordance with CUP’s ABC policies.

Weighting % of Time / Frequency:

• 25%:

Performance Criteria:

• Set and agree budgets with reps and distributors
• Regularly review budgets throughout the year.
• Adherence to all Anti Bribery and corruption policies and ensure that agents, reps and distributors adhere as well.

Team Management:

• Maintain regular contact with all team members
• Constantly seek to improve team and individual performance
• Communicate clearly, concisely and accurately
• Regularly discuss techniques and tactics in order to improve performance
• Give support and advice to team members, leading to improved performance
• Set regular and specific team development goals which are then achieved
• Identify specific training and development needs, and take appropriate action to ensure the needs are met
• Ensure cross-training and coaching between team members, leading to improved performance

Weighting % of Time / Frequency:

• 15%

Performance Criteria:

• Recruitment is done in accordance with Cambridge policies and standards
• All team members have the necessary skills to complete job tasks to set standards
• Objectives and goals are set in collaboration with the team
• All team members are clear and aware of the objectives and goals
• Team performance continues to improve
• Support is provided to team members as requested and needed
• Cross training and coaching are provided to team members as requested and needed

Collaboration:

• Assist all other departments as per operational requirements, including the Publishing team
• Collaborate with colleagues at all times
• Maintain effective relationships with Cambridge SA & Cambridge UK colleagues
• Participate as appropriate in discussions and negotiations with key customers, partners and clients

Weighting % of Time / Frequency:

• 5%

Performance Criteria:

• Ensure that assistance is given within all work areas as per operational requirements when needed

Minimum Qualifications Required
School – Mandatory (Minimum):

• NECO or equivalent pass

Tertiary – Mandatory (Minimum):

• Tertiary qualification (Bachelor’s Degree)

Other:

• A post graduate qualification in Business would be an advantage.

Professional Bodies:

• None

Job Related Experience:

• 15 – 20 years’ industry related experience in a senior role. Understanding the Nigerian educational landscape would be an advantage.

Job Related Skills:

• Provide general oversight of all Cambridge activities in the region; manage the day-to-day operations and ensure a smoothly functioning, efficient organisation.
• Computer literacy
• Commercial awareness
• Strong sales skills and experience
• Customer service orientation
• Financial literacy
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Knowledge of educational environment
• Microsoft Office proficient

Business Related Experience:

• 15 – 20 years’ industry related experience

Business Related Skills:

• Time management skills
• Task organising skills
• Interact well with clients
• Deadline management
• Good communication skills
• Attention to detail skills (pay great attention to accuracy)
• Computer literacy
• Can review and develop strategy, and once reviewed with their line managers and agreed implement that strategy through to a successful and sustainable business state.
• Provide leadership that promotes the organisation’s goals in a sustainable and responsible manner that is consistent with the wider Cambridge objectives and expectations

Managerial Related Skills:

• Manage ad hoc projects
• Ability to manage people
• Ability to manage and expand business
• Managerial and administrative skills
• Human resource management skills
• Planning skills
• Strategic and analytical project evaluation skills
• Motivating skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Ability to address complacency
• Decision making skills
• Sales target ordinated

Interpersonal Related Skills:

• Organising skills
• Good communication skills
• Conflict resolution
• Ability to handle complaints
• Intuitive
• Run to deadlines
• Comfortable working in a matrix management system

Behavioural Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with a strong entrepreneurial mindset
• Strong emotional intelligence with the ability to bring diverse teams together around a shared vision
• Confident
• Assertive
• Diplomatic
• Organised
• Self-managed
• Self-assurance
• Honesty
• Fairness
• Endurance
• Hard working
• Team player
• Trustworthy
• Loyal
• Patience
• Tactful
• Always embrace the company behavioural attributes i.e. Empowered, Decisive, Responsive, Innovative,
• Responsible and Collaborative
• Sales Techniques
• Maintain and protect Cambridge’s reputation in its markets and with all customers, communities, and government and regulatory bodies.

Additional Attributes:

• Consistent
• Stress tolerance
• Ability to manage multiple tasks

Physical Attributes:

• Language proficiency: English (Read, Write, Speak).
• Professional appearance and behaviour

Salary
Competitive

Application Closing Date
10th October, 2021.