Job Description

Overview

The Thomas Nelson Bible Team is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and highly values diverse backgrounds and insights that fuel our innovation.

The Associate Publisher serves as a key leader for the division by managing different product lines within the Thomas Nelson Bible publishing program, and supporting the mission and values, revenue goals, and strategies. Day-to-day responsibilities include managing the editorial team, new Bible acquisitions and product development, vision-casting and cooperation with sales and marketing, financial oversight, and staff development. The Associate Publisher assists the Publisher in developing, overseeing and managing the brand pipeline, creating ancillary products, and managing the P&L. The Associate Publisher leads special projects and represents the Publisher in key meetings internally and externally as well as taking the lead in working with HCCP legal on publishing contracts.

Specifically, the Associate Publisher will contribute to the growth of Thomas Nelson Bibles through:

* Leading and managing the editorial team to ensure that workloads are balanced, deadlines are met, and personnel are developed in their careers as editors.
* Editing products personally as required among the editorial team to balance the workload.

* Working with the Publisher to strategically acquire and develop authors and titles with viable content for products that will stimulate consumers engagement and study through print and electronic formats.

* Working collaboratively with Creative, Marketing, Production, Inventory Management and Sales staff to support titles through the publication process as appropriate and required for product development.

* Maintaining awareness of the Bible-reading needs of the end-consumer by reviewing current books, Bibles and other sources of content including online and print; by attending appropriate conferences and conventions; by developing contacts at the consumer level; and by keeping an ear to the ground with our everyday consumers via social media, online reviews, sales feedback, etc.

* Representing Thomas Nelson Bibles persuasively within HCCP and within the broader publishing community.

* Negotiating with authors and/or agents in a manner that is fair and within financial benchmarks and develops, nurtures and grows author and agent relationships; providing timely communication with current and potential authors and their agents regarding the status of their proposals and/or contracted projects.

* Taking the lead with HCCP legal on the various publishing contracts and agreements required in the ongoing publishing process.

Responsibilities

* Editorial Team Leadership: Leads and manages the editorial team and creates a positive work environment. Equips the editorial team with critical information to ensure quality control, capacity analysis, and application of department standards. Makes assignments for products to editorial team members and maintains positive accountability for meeting production schedule milestones.
* Product Development: Evaluate new product ideas for marketability, financial viability, biblical fidelity, doctrinal soundness, and editorial excellence. Ensure a wide array of products are being produced across all age groups and usages (adult, kids, outreach). Plans for derivative products and backlist re-releases to maximize intellectual property. Produce product development documents and APL files for proposed products. Prepare proposals and presentations for internal Pub Board meetings. Personally develop and/or acquire 8-12 projects per year.Collaborates closely with internal publishing groups, audio, and custom publishing team to optimize Thomas Nelson Bible content in a variety of formats.

* Author Acquisition and retention/Product Development: Evaluates new product ideas for marketability, financial viability, biblical fidelity, doctrinal soundness, and editorial excellence. Identifies and pursues potential author targets or brands; makes initial contacts and sets meetings; collaborate with Publisher to negotiate terms through signed deal memo and prepares contract request forms. Builds strong, long-term relationships with agents and prospective authors. Personally acquires, develops, and leads concept development in concepts acquired from authors and/or ministries.

* Publisher Support: Meets regularly with Publisher to monitor key business metrics and other various day-to-day needs. Build and maintain strong relationships with key ministry partners; such as Bible.org (NET Bible license holder). Maintains the profile of the department by joining key meetings or representing the Publisher: Author Meetings, Sales Pub Board, Marketing Staff Meetings, Business Review, Publishers Forum. Helps make the brand known in the industry. Assist Publisher in special departmental initiatives to analyze, strengthen, and grow the business. Assist Publisher with initiatives on translation stewardship and marketing.

* Department Planning: Participates in pipeline review; analyzes fiscal year financial impact combining frontlist and backlist titles, ensuring we are publishing to revenue goals; analyzes new releases and tracks progress to budget throughout the year; performs annual title performance lookback; join in review of department overhead and marketing budgets.

* List/ Program Management: Collaborates with Publisher on list planning to acquire authors and develop proprietary products and oversight of the editorial schedule. Assures products are coordinated with other divisions, scheduled for best sales success, and contracted in time for annual planning and presentation to sales accounts. Ensures we are publishing to our target categories and stated revenue goals.

* Strategic Planning and Financial Analysis: Collaborates with Publisher in future business planning as it relates to annual budgeting, content and acquisitions, and measuring financial objectives.

* Industry Trends: Maintains awareness of market conditions, consumer buying patterns, and publishing trends. Has an ongoing commitment to develop expertise in the publishing process, internal systems and procedures, works with production to find the newest product development trends.

Qualifications

Knowledge: Knowledge of the Bible, including major and minor Bible translations and paraphrases on the market, required. Must be attuned to doctrinal landscape of the Christian market with a solid grasp of orthodox evangelical theology and thinking. Proficient in Microsoft Office, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, etc.,Mastery of the English language, especially in written form; ability to understand and analyze standard financial documentation, such as income statements and balance sheets.

Work Experience:

Minimum: 8 years Christian publishing experience and/or content development experience including Bible or Academic publishing or marketing. At least 2 years of editorial development experience.

Target: 10 years in publishing with 2 or more years in a leadership role

Education: BA in English, Communications, Journalism, business administration, marketing, or related fields. MDiv or MA in Theology or Biblical Studies or demonstrated self-teaching in these areas preferred. Business Management training and higher ed (MBA) is a plus.

Industry Knowledge: Knowledge of competitive Bible translations and Bible products required. Knowledge of the major distribution channels, including physical and online retail, Mass, church/ministry, and others. Awareness of trends within the evangelical church worldwide.

Skills:

* Excellent organizational skills, time management, and attention to detail
* Management, leadership, and professional development skills

* Business acumen to understand and use financial data

* Organization and administrative ability

* Excellent communication skills including strong presentation skills

* Excellent interpersonal skills that facilitate team building and cross-functional work in organizations

* Ability to understand and negotiate publishing contracts

* Ability to work effectively with authors and agents

* Ability to maintain and work within a budget

* Excellent time and project management skills

* Ability to handle multiple competing projects and priorities at one time

* Excellent editing, proofreading and communication skills; ability to work with authors in developing concepts

* Adept with Christian content and a variety of theological viewpoints.

* Able to work with and lead/influence others in a team environment

* Skilled in understanding book offers, publishing terms, and ability to negotiate

* Decisive, well organized, strategic planner in the context of a team environment with shared processes and goals. Innovation and creativity skills are crucial for success.

* Relationship builder, networker, diplomatic and collaborative

* Must be able to work in a fast-paced, evolving industry and environment

* Must be able to travel as needed

HarperCollins Christian Publishing is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Locations US-TN-Nashville

Category Publishing

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. EEO/AA/M/F/Disabled/Vets