POSITION SPECIFICATION The Kloete Group, Inc Retained Executive Search firm - www.KloeteGroup.com

POSITION TITLE: Associate Publisher

COMPANY: HarperCollins Christian Publishing – Zondervan Bible Division https://www.harpercollinschristian.com/divisions/zondervan/

REPORTING TO: Publisher Zondervan

LOCATION: Grand Rapids, MI (Zondervan Publishing Headquarters)

HarperCollins Christian Publishing (“HCCP”) is a global Christian content provider. HCCP is a division of HarperCollins Publishing, the second largest consumer book publisher in the world, and a subsidiary of the publicly traded News Corp. https://newscorp.com/

HCCP’s mission is to "inspire the world by meeting the needs of people with content that promotes biblical principles and honors Jesus Christ." They vigorously pursue producing content that is exceptional across the publishing industry. Those who join the HCCP team will find a unique blend of people whose core values include integrity, accountability, initiative, respect, and service.

HCCP has two of the most sought-after brands in Christian publishing - Thomas Nelson and Zondervan.

Zondervan is a world-leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications. Zondervan, as part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, nonfiction, curriculum, academic resources and digital products.

Why join the Zondervan Bible’s Publishing team? Because they are:

A values-driven organization on a mission: https://www.harpercollinschristian.com/mission-and-values/

Author centric! https://www.harpercollinschristian.com/author-centric/

At the forefront of industry innovation. https://www.harpercollinschristian.com/innovation/

A place you can build a long-term career with approximately 500 employees who have an average tenure of 10 years

Socially responsible, gives back as an organization and encourage associates to do the same. https://www.harpercollinschristian.com/responsibility/

OVERVIEW:

The Associate Publisher serves as a key leader for the division by managing different product lines within the Zondervan Bible publishing program, and supporting the mission and values, revenue goals, and strategies. Day-to-day responsibilities include 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.

SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITY:

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

• Working with the Publisher to acquire and develop authors and titles, either internally or with agents/authors, with viable content for products that will stimulate consumers’ engagement and study through print and electronic formats, innovating new ways to invite the reader into God’s Word. • Working closely with the Editorial Director to nurture and develop the editorial team. • Working collaboratively with Creative, Editorial, Marketing 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 Zondervan 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.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Author Acquisition and retention/Product Development: Evaluates new product ideas for marketability, financial viability, Biblical and doctrinal soundness, and editorial excellence. Identifies and pursues potential author targets or brands; creates adult, kids, and outreach Bible concepts; makes initial contacts and sets meetings; prepares proposals and makes presentations at internal Pub Board meetings; manages APL approval process for his/her projects; negotiates terms through signed deal memo and prepares contract request forms. Plans for derivative products and backlist re-releases to maximize intellectual property. Builds strong, long-term relationships with agents and prospective authors. Personally acquires, develops, and leads concept development for 8-12 projects per year. Collaborates closely with internal publishing groups, audio, and custom publishing team to optimize Zondervan Bible content in a variety of formats.

• Publisher Support: Meets regularly with Publisher to monitor key business metrics and other various day-to-day needs. Builds rapport with key ministry partner Biblica, while providing leadership for growing key translations. Maintains the profile of the department by joining key meetings or representing the Publisher: Author Meetings, Sales Pub Board, Marketing Staff Meetings, Business Review, Publisher’s Forum; helps implement and stress department mission statement. Helps make the brand known in the industry. Assist Publisher in special departmental initiatives to analyze, strengthen, and grow the business.

• 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.

• Editorial Team Leadership: Collaborates with the Editorial Director to lead the editorial team and create a positive work environment. Equips the Editorial Director with critical information to ensure quality control, capacity analysis, and application of department standards.

• 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.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

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.

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.

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.

Experience: • 8+ years progressive publishing experience, with 2 years in leadership managing multiple reports • 5+ years of author/book acquisitions experience preferably in the religious/inspirational product space • Past experience managing a full P&L strongly preferred. Experience with budget development and management required

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 • Superior attention to detail • 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 • Dependable public speaking skills • Must be able to work in a fast-paced, evolving industry and environment • Must be able to travel as needed

KEY COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS:

Team player, highly motivated/self-starter, strong strategic thinker, passionate about the Zondervan mission, integrity, capable of meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment, mindful of audience in discussing confidential information, able to use emotional intelligence in relationships, effective at managing multiple ongoing tasks simultaneously, committed to follow through.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

Depending on the skills, background, & experiences of the individual we hire, we are anticipating a competitive base salary + bonus potential (based on product group and company performance), all standard benefits including excellent full medical coverage.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

If you are qualified and interested in being considered as a candidate for this great opportunity, please submit your resume (in WORD format), along with your most recent compensation information to: [email protected] . In the subject line, please indicate Associate Publisher.