Director of Business Development, Comic Book Specialty Market (CBSM)

Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc.

LOCATION: Home Office, Timonium, MD

DATE: November, 2011

POSITION TITLE: Director of Business Development, Comic Book Specialty Market (CBSM)

DEPT: Sales and Marketing

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Business Development, CBSM will work closely with other DCD executives and senior managers to grow the number of successful comic shops and outlets for comics among established independent pop-culture retailers. The position reports to the VP of Sales and Marketing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Spearhead the design and implementation of a supplier-supported program to encourage and assist current CBSM retailers to improve and expand their businesses, with an emphasis on creating additional brick & mortar locations.
Participate in the design and roll-out of a plan to increase Point-Of-Sale system adoption by CBSM retailers.
Quantify the characteristics of successful CBSM retailers through data acquisition and analysis.
Participate in the development of a plan to share "success metrics" and best practices with existing CMSM retailers.
Evaluate available "Store Demand Mapping" tools/technologies to select the best system(s) for identifying underserved areas and providing new and current retailers with site selection support.
Create a "Turn-key Business Plan/New Store Kit" for start-up comic shops --components to include financing advise, starting inventory, opening new product orders, plan-o-grams, point-of-sale systems, fixtures, grand-opening advertising plan, etc. -- and participate in the design/roll-out of a plan for marketing this concept to entrepreneurs.
Create a "Turn-key Comic Book/GN Sideline Kit" to help established independent pop-culture retailers successfully add comics/GN as a sideline.
Evaluate the viability/plan and direct the roll-out of Mall Kiosk/Temporary Shops -- potentially merchandised and staffed by existing CBSM retailers or by an existing mall-based retailer -- in underserved areas.
Cultivate mutually beneficial business relationships with key current and potential customers and suppliers.
Participate in the on-going planning and evaluation of DCD's overall new customer acquisition sales and marketing efforts.
Other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

B.Sc. in Business Administration, Management, or related field.
5+ years successful Business Development experience.
Experience with retail site selection and/or franchising.
Experience with retail business planning and consulting.
Must be a motivated, entrepreneurial self-starter capable of strategic thinking, goal-setting, planning, execution, and results analysis.
Must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously while working in concert with other departments.
Must have successful negotiating experience.
Must have strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
Strong working knowledge of Windows-based computers and programs is required.
Knowledge of the Comic Book Specialty Market is a plus.
Willing to work overtime as needed.