Book Strategist
United Church of Christ
Cleveland, OH
Full-time
Sales
Posted on March 27, 2023
Book Strategist
REPORTS TO Publisher, The Pilgrim Press
FLSA STATUS Non-Exempt
SALARY GRADE
FULL-TIME/PART-TIME Full-Time
CATEGORY National and Global Ministries, Cleveland, Ohio
STARTING SALARY $20.00/hour
DESCRIPTION
The Pilgrim Press United Church of Christ
Book Strategist - Temporary
(3 month, full time)
Essential Tasks:
1. Create and populate an account for The Pilgrim Press on Edelweiss, an online system for posting digital book catalogs.
Edelweiss is used by publishers, book reviewers, libraries, and booksellers. On Edelweiss, a book can be shared for critical audiences to preview, endorse, and/or preorder. This system is an important tool for The Pilgrim Press to expand its visibility.
Creating and populating an account for The Pilgrim Press requires this person to orient themselves to the platform and learn best practices for its use. Once the account is created, an estimated 50 titles from Pilgrim's current catalog of books will be prioritized for addition to Edelweiss.
Skills needed: strong computer literacy, adaptability/teachability on new platforms, excellent writing, independent initiative.
Assessments will include (1) quantity of uploaded files, (2) quality of platform engagements.
2. Assess and make use of strategic opportunities for the publicity of critical titles that show potential for expanding Pilgrim's current audience.
An important aspect of Pilgrim's mission within the United Church of Christ is to be our denomination's "wider voice," reaching beyond the pews to non-religious and post-religious readers who resonate with the denomination's progressive social values.
This person will orient themselves to spaces and publications frequented by Pilgrim's audiences, then seek and secure book reviews, author interviews, or other marketing opportunities appropriate to those platforms.
Skills needed: curiosity in researching audience/market, professional communication, strong follow-through, collaboration with the Pilgrim team to generate marketing ideas.
Assessments will include (1) diversity of opportunities explored, (2) successful publicity.
3. Enliven communication with non-religious trade partners to improve brand visibility.
Secular booksellers rely on distribution partners as the "middleman" between the bookseller and the publisher, so it makes a difference when a distributor knows what the publisher can offer. A publisher can also increase the distributor's awareness of a book by promoting the book directly to booksellers who in turn request titles from the distributor.
The temporary worker will be introduced to the avenues through which The Pilgrim Press sells its books to trade partners (e.g. booksellers, distributors), and craft short- and long-term possibilities for improved communication with trade partners. As possible within the time constraints of the contract, this person will begin to implement selected communication ideas.
Skills needed: creativity, strategic thinking, attention to detail, excellent communication.
Assessments will include (1) sales trends over time (2) implementability of new ideas.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong creativity skills
Strategic thinking and attention to detail
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated knowledge of and interest to grow in the publishing industry.
High degree of computer competence included demonstrated adaptability to new programs.
Demonstrated capacities to be a self-starter, able to prioritize work effectively and to perform work with minimum supervision.
Strong understanding of the need for confidentiality and discretion, and a demonstrated capacity for managerial and human relation skills.
Capacity and sensitivity to work in a diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious setting with a commitment to pluralism in the workplace as well as in one's understanding of mission.
Demonstrated understanding and appreciation of United Church of Christ polity, structure, and mission.
This position can be remote.
COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE N/A
APPLICATION DEADLINE April 7, 2023
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION The United Church of Christ
Our faith is 2000 years old. Our thinking is not.
We believe in God's Continuing Testament.
We believe in Extravagant Welcome
We believe the church's mission is to Change Lives
EOE STATEMENT
The Pilgrim Press United Church of Christ celebrates diversity and an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to a workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the broad spectrum of our diverse society. We endeavor to recruit employees from backgrounds that vary by race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, genetic information, past, present or future service in the uniformed services, religion, or any other legally protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local law. We are proud to be a multicultural, multiracial, open and affirming, accessible to all, equal opportunity employer.