Director, Publishing Services

Position Summary:  Working with a wide variety of stakeholders in the conceptualization, acquisition, and development and delivery of print and digital editorial products and collateral and online content output, the Director of Publishing Services supports the business operations of the NAFSA’s print and digital publishing, provides professional editorial services, and directly manages a publishing team of three individuals.  Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director (DED) of Membership, Marketing, and Publications, this position’s specific primary responsibility is the successful launch of planned publications.

Major Functions and Responsibilities

Manages the successful launch of all planned publications (45%)

• Works with the DED to create business cases, determine revenue projections, track costs, and develop budgets
• In conjunction with NAFSA stakeholders, conceptualizes, acquires, and administers the launch of books, e-books, e-docs, and other output to be published
• Oversees all matters related to production and ensures that publications are produced to meet NAFSA’s standard of excellence
• Maintains a consistent year-to-year product pipeline and cash inflow from planned publications while remaining on schedule and within budget
• Takes active part in line editing and copyediting of manuscripts as needed
• Motivates and ensures effective performance of all the members of various publishing teams
• Acts as an interface between senior management and publishing operations

Manages both the print and electronic editorial and production processes of NAFSA’s publishing program (exclusive of periodicals and web/social media) 40%

• Plans and manages editorial work schedules for a team of editors; works closely with the DED to plan the overall flow of work
• Negotiates, drafts, and maintains work agreements and contracts with both paid and volunteer writers
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with designers and vendors as well as managing quality control on subcontracted publication processes
• Manages the quality editing of in-house products
• Provides publication production and editorial service support to other NAFSA staff members and units as assigned by the DED

Manages select business practices for NAFSA publications (10%)

• Provides oversight of all business practices, including invoices, reports, permissions, royalty payments, etc.
• Conducts internal and external book order fulfillment operations, including NAFSA’s relationships with external fulfillment agencies
• Manages the NAFSA bookstore at the annual conference, including the prior acquisition and logistics of publications inventory from outside publishers.
• Administers online bookstore services, partnering with NAFSA staff colleagues to keep the site running smoothly
• Collaborates closely with the DED and NAFSA’s marketing team to effectively support the marketing of all non-periodical published products.
• Manages customer service-related issues for all NAFSA publications.

Other duties, responsibilities, and tasks as assigned by the DED (5%)

Work Relationships

As representatives of a membership organization with a broad and diverse range of activities related to education and training, NAFSA staff possess more than simply specialized capabilities. Each individual is expected to take the initiative to become knowledgeable about the organization as a whole. Association members and other staff expect colleagues to be accessible and responsive, to convey a positive attitude, and to exhibit a high degree of professionalism.

Office Environment

The workday is generally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The week after Memorial Day to Labor Day, it is 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday.

Travel is required occasionally related to job responsibilities, especially for the annual conference, regional meetings, and other leadership meetings. Participation in the NAFSA annual conference the week of Memorial Day, including the holiday itself, is a job requirement. The annual conference is held in varying cities in the U.S.