Welcome to the next edition of the #EmployeeSpotlight blog series 🎤

We’re interviewing our fabulous Institutional Sales & Marketing Manager, Jess Harold, about her role, career, and favourite cocktail!

  1. How long have you worked at Exact Editions?

I started at Exact Editions 4 and a half years ago now! I came on board in March 2018 initially as a Digital Marketing Assistant and I have now been the Institutional Sales & Marketing Manager for two years.

2. Could you describe a day in the life of an Institutional Sales & Marketing Manager?

On a typical day I would start by checking my emails and making sure all the queries for the day are assigned to the relevant team members. I then spend a bit of time reading any library news for the day so that I stay up to date with what’s happening in the industry.

My role is essentially overseeing the institutional side of Exact Editions so the rest of the day can vary quite a lot but it would usually consist of a mixture of planning and carrying out marketing campaigns for the titles we offer, identifying our target markets, ensuring our titles are prevalent in library databases and speaking with librarians and subscription agents about potential sales.

I also regularly have internal meetings with other teams within the company to discuss larger ongoing projects and also to report back on the success of campaigns.

3. What is your favourite part of your job?

I think it’s definitely working with a great team! Everyone at Exact Editions gets on really well and we are always encouraged to suggest new ideas which I think is really valuable.

Another favourite part of the job is speaking to librarians and other people in the industry and learning what challenges they are facing and how Exact Editions can help support them. Libraries play a fundamental role in society so it’s great that we can be a part of that!

4. What is a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

I’m not sure about a fun fact but I did complete up to Grade 7 for piano when I was younger, I haven’t played in years but I would like to start it up again.

Other than that I was once in a picture on Dua Lipa’s Instagram when we had lunch at the same restaurant in London a few years ago which I was extremely proud of. Sadly, she has since deleted the photos from that time period so I no longer have the evidence!

5. What’s the most important career lesson you’ve learnt you far?

I would have to say that it would be learning to manage my time most effectively over the years. It’s important to know what work should be prioritised so that deadlines are met. I think this is even more important since becoming a manager as it involves sharing the workload and managing time for the team overall.

6. What is one thing you can’t live without?

A morning cup of tea! It’s a big part of my daily routine and I wouldn’t feel like my day had started right without it.

7. What do you like to do in your free time?

Mainly reading! I think this is a common hobby amongst most of us at Exact Editions. I have a Goodreads challenge set for myself and we also have a work book club where we meet once a month to discuss a book over a glass of wine. Other than that, I like to see friends, go out for dinner, and to the theatre.

Jess and some of the Exact Editions team meeting Anthony Joshua outside the office in Hatton Garden đźĄŠ

Quick-fire favourites…

  • Meal?

It’s very difficult to choose but I think I would have to say a freshly cooked carbonara, preferably with some garlic bread on the side.

  • Holiday destination?

So hard to say as I love to visit new places. I would say my favourites so far have been Dubrovnik in Croatia or anywhere in the Caribbean, it’s so beautiful!

  • Karaoke song?

Very hard question and impossible to choose just one! I would have to say any song by ABBA is a winner.

  • Cocktail?

Definitely a Mojito, preferably by a beach or a pool!