Job Description

Position: Senior Group Strategy Manager

Location: London (hybrid working with 3 days a week in the office; occasional international travel)

Reporting to: Chief Commercial & Strategy Officer

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for publishing and innovation? Do you thrive on shaping big ideas into actionable strategies -connecting the dots across teams, building capabilities and bringing people together to turn concepts into reality? If so, our Group Strategy & Corporate Development team wants to hear from you. We’re a small, curious and globally connected team within DK, partnering with a variety of teams and stakeholders to help shape the future of our business.

What you’ll be doing

• Shape and support key leadership forums, working closely with the CCSO, CEO and leadership team to drive alignment, prioritisation and effective decision-making across the organisation
• Lead high-impact strategy, growth and transformation projects across DK globally, from shaping the opportunity through to execution and measurable impact
• Provide structure and strategic direction to solve ambiguous business challenges and translate ideas into actionable plans and measurable outcomes
• Deliver clear, data‑driven insights and business cases through rigorous analysis and market research
• Drive implementation by working hand‑in‑hand with editors, marketers, technologists, finance and operations to turn recommendations into action
• Identify and help deliver opportunities for growth, innovation and improved ways of working, including through AI and emerging technologies
• Mentor and develop colleagues, fostering a culture of learning, experimentation and high performance
• Represent DK in global forums and cross‑divisional committees, sharing best practices and strengthening relationships across Penguin Random House and Bertelsmann

Required experience & skills

• Proven experience in strategy development and leading high-impact, complex and cross-functional strategic projects from conception through to execution and measurable results, gained in management consulting, corporate strategy or a similar role
• Strong analytical, market analysis and financial-modelling skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information into clear, compelling strategic recommendations
• Strong commercial judgement and an entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities, challenge the status quo and turn ideas into action
• Demonstrated interest in emerging technologies, particularly AI, and their potential to transform businesses and ways of working
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with experience working in an international context and with stakeholders at all levels, including C-suite and senior leadership, and the ability to challenge, influence and build alignment across different perspectives
• Innovative, adaptable and resilient, comfortable navigating ambiguity and evolving priorities
• A collaborative and inclusive approach to leadership, with the ability to inspire, mentor and build consensus across diverse stakeholders and project teams
• Experience in publishing or another creative industry is highly desirable, but not essential

What you’ll get

• Impact at scale: A rare opportunity to shape the strategic evolution of a global publishing house known for its originality, quality and ability to transform
• Cross‑functional exposure: You’ll work across editorial, commercial, technology, finance and operations, building capabilities and connecting dots across our group
• Global collaboration: Join a diverse community of colleagues in the UK, US, Germany, India and beyond and colleagues across the Penguin Random House and Bertelsmann Group
• Continuous learning: You'll benefit from the extensive learning and development resources available within our global organisation as part of Penguin Random House and the broader Bertelsmann network
• Generous benefits: Competitive holiday allowance, pension scheme, employee assistance programme, substantial discount on our books, flexible working including hybrid “Smart Working,” cycle‑to‑work scheme and more

If you’re ready to help shape DK’s future, please apply with your CV and cover letter by 15 September. We’ll be reviewing applications as they come in and may close the role early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Additional Information

We have a range of benefits to reflect our commitment to our people, some of which are:

• 25 days paid holiday entitlement in year one, plus bank holidays
• Generous pension scheme
• Volunteering policy and charity matching
• Employee assistance programme
• 70% discount on company books
• Cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership
• Shopping discounts
• Flex Fridays (1pm Finish*)
• Up to 30 days remote working from abroad*

*Subject to certain criteria being met.

And we plant a tree for every new employee to our business

DK is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the varied communities that read our books across the world. We encourage applications from all individuals, regardless of age, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or social background. DK is proud to announce that we have adopted The Halo Code.

DK is a member of the disability confident scheme. We guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.

DK supports flexible working and has introduced a new ‘smart-working’ policy with a hybrid approach of working weekly from home and in DK’s office. This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in our Pimlico office. As this is non-negotiable, please ensure you are within a reasonable commuting distance of London before applying.

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade, but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews or undertaking internships. For more information, visit www.booktradeentrysupport.org

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Further information on data protection and your rights can be found here.

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