Fractional Director of Sales

Director of Sales (Fractional)

Fully Remote \| Approximately 20\-25 hours/week \| 1099 Independent Contractor

About KN Literary Arts

KN Literary Arts (KNLA) believes books have the power to change lives. Since 2013, more than 3,000 authors have trusted us to transform their stories, expertise, ideas, and lived wisdom into books that inspire action and create lasting impact.

We believe in partnership: every successful project begins with two\-way trust, collaboration, and honest guidance. Our role is to help authors navigate the writing and publishing journey with clarity and confidence, supporting every prospective and active client with integrity.

At KNLA, our sales team sets the tone for the entire client experience. We're not simply selling editorial and publishing services—we're building trusted relationships and creating a partnership our clients will remember long after their book is complete.

We're looking for an experienced Director of Sales to lead our sales team, help us grow, and ensure every prospective author has an exceptional experience from the very first conversation.

The Opportunity

You'll be a trusted partner to our General Manager, a coach to our small\-but\-experienced team of part\-time sales professionals, and the architect of a revenue operation that's ready to scale.

One thing to know up front: this isn't a traditional sales leadership role. At KNLA, we don't sell a single product, a standardized package, or a fully\-scripted solution. We partner with authors at every stage of their writing and publishing journey—from the earliest spark of an idea to a polished manuscript, an industry\-grade book proposal, or a fully supported self\-publishing book launch. Every client arrives with different goals, different levels of experience, and a different definition of success.

That's exactly what makes this role so rewarding. Success requires the ability to meet authors where they are, helping them see the bigger picture, then guiding them toward the right services and publishing path to meet their goals. Honest guidance that leaves every prospective author feeling more confident than when they first reached out.

This role comes with the opportunity to build. We're not handing you a perfectly documented sales organization with every workflow already defined. We're looking for someone who enjoys creating clarity and consistency, improving systems, and helping to build scalable processes. If you need a polished playbook on day one, this isn't your role. If you're energized by helping shape strategy, coaching consultative sales conversations, and building a high\-performing revenue organization, you'll thrive here.

Who We're Looking For

If you’ve led sales for a boutique, relationship\-driven professional services business—particularly in publishing (traditional, hybrid, or supported self\-publishing), writing and editing, consulting, branding, or an adjacent industry—we’d love to meet you! We want to hire a leader who sells expertise, not products. If you’ve successfully led small sales teams and built systems from scratch, we’re likely a great fit for you.

We’re looking for a true player\-coach who enjoys developing people just as much as they love closing meaningful business. You can easily step into an important discovery or strategy call when your experience can help an author gain clarity, and you’re equally energized by reviewing call recordings, proposals, and client communications. You lead with accountability, curiosity, and emotional intelligence, and offer candid feedback with kindness and respect.

Most importantly, you think beyond the sale. You recognize that every signed agreement is the beginning of a long\-term client relationship. Your decisions balance revenue growth, operational excellence, profitability, and an exceptional author experience because you understand that lasting businesses are built on trust, not just transactions.

What You'll Do

• Coach and develop our part\-time sales professionals through call reviews and live sales support, building their confidence while increasing close rates
• Refine our selling process for predictability by expanding the sales playbook, bringing clarity to key pipeline stages, improving forecasting, and building out trusted leadership reporting and key metrics
• Streamline sales\-to\-service handoffs to ensure a seamless transition for clients
• Identify operational efficiencies to simplify workflows across the team
• Fix sales lead leaks and operational bottlenecks that impact close rates, delivery, or the client experience, implementing scalable solutions rather than temporary patches
• Partner on strategic client conversations, stepping into high\-value opportunities when your experience can help an author gain clarity
• Act as a trusted thought partner to the GM on revenue, staffing needs, and growth
• Lead the sales team during special events, such as Writer Bootcamps and author masterminds

Required Experience \& Skills

• 8\+ years of experience leading sales at a boutique agency or professional services firm (experience in publishing, editorial, ghostwriting, consulting, or creative services is preferred)
• Demonstrated success selling premium professional services using a consultative approach, including a proven track record of consistently closing five\- and six\-figure deals
• Proven leadership capability coaching and managing small, high\-performing sales teams
• Strategic capability building sales systems and processes from the ground up
• Strong analytical skills, with fluency in forecasting and revenue reporting
• Tech\-savvy and comfortable learning new CRMs (we use Insightly)
• Experience working directly with founders or owner\-operators
• Strong emotional intelligence, remaining calm under competing priorities and decisive when working with imperfect information

What Success Looks Like in Year One

• Each Publishing Consultant (sales rep) shows measurable improvement against agreed upon coaching goals, with average contract value increasing over time
• An increase in closing rates without sacrificing client fit
• A documented, repeatable sales process exists and all Publishing Consultants run it confidently
• Establishes achievable yet ambitious sales goals. Sales forecasts are reliable enough to drive future revenue targets, staffing and growth decisions
• Marketing, sales, matchmaking, and client delivery operate with stronger alignment, resulting in a smoother client experience from first conversation to completed book

What We Offer

KN Literary Arts believes exceptional sales leadership should be rewarded for building lasting client relationships and driving sustainable growth. This role offers a competitive base retainer, uncapped commission potential, and meaningful upside for exceeding annual revenue goals.

Base Retainer

• $80,000 annualized (approximately $6,667 per month for 20–25 hours per week).

Standard Commission

• A 1\.5% commission override on all eligible closed contract value generated through the Publishing Consultant sales funnel (Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 opportunities), up to 100% of the annual Publishing Consultant revenue plan.

Commission AcceleratorsAs the Publishing Consultant team exceeds its annual revenue plan, the commission override increases to reward exceptional performance:

• 1\.5% on eligible closed contract value up to 100% of the annual plan
• 2\.0% on eligible closed contract value between 100% and 120% of the annual plan
• 2\.5% on eligible closed contract value above 120% of annual plan

Uncapped Earnings

• There is no cap on commission earnings. As the Publishing Consultant team grows, so does your earning potential.

Expected On\-Target Earnings (OTE)

• We expect On\-Target Earnings to be approximately $113,000 annually, based on achievement of the current annual Publishing Consultant revenue plan, with meaningful additional upside for exceeding the plan.

Strategic Partnership

• A true seat at the leadership table, partnering directly with the General Manager and Founder to help shape KN Literary Arts' long\-term growth strategy.

Meaningful Work

• Every client you help serve brings another transformational book into the world and expands the reach of ideas that create lasting impact.

Flexibility

• A fully remote, flexible working environment.

How to Apply

If this opportunity feels like the right fit, we'd love to hear from you!

Every application is personally reviewed by a member of our leadership team. We don't use AI to screen candidates because we believe people deserve to be evaluated by people. Just as we believe human creativity comes first in our work with authors, we believe people deserve a thoughtful, human hiring experience. Qualified candidates will be contacted regarding next steps in our interview process.

Pay: $80,000\.00 \- $113,000\.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Experience:

• leading sales at agency or professional services firm: 7 years (Preferred)

Work Location: Remote