Morgan Healey Exclusive
Location: UK/Hybrid
Salary: On application
Our client, a leading society publisher requires an experienced and dynamic Head of Books to join their team on a 12-month contract.
Reporting to our Director of Publishing, you will be responsible for delivering our digital books strategic plan. Their books programme is undergoing a transformation to digital-first content, products and sales models. With recent investment in their customer-facing publishing platform and new book product launches, we are looking for someone to lead the expansion of our audience and rejuvenation of our business.
You will ensure ambitious commissioning and publishing targets are met, work closely with colleagues in sales to deliver new digital sales models and channels and manage our strategic partnerships with our vendors and suppliers. This role will involve influencing and liaising with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders at all levels and across all departments.
The ideal candidate will be a strong commercial business leader with management and strategic thinking skills, excellent decision-making and organisational skills, a proactive style, and the ability to use their initiative.
Skills & Experience
- Significant academic / STM books publishing experience, including strategic development and a broad understanding across editorial, production, technology, marketing and sales.
- Demonstrable experience of delivering digital book products, sales models, distribution channels or partnering to achieve these.
- Good understanding of all aspects of commissioning, peer review, editorial policy, procedures and practice, and experience of overseeing quality standards and expectations for content.
- Broad knowledge of digital publishing and technology solutions, ability to leverage current and new technology suppliers and their systems and websites to deliver business outcomes.
- High degree of staff management skill at a senior level and must apply this to recruitment, training, supervision, motivation and development of staff.