Children’s Executive Publishing Director

Chronicle Books seeks a Children’s Executive Publishing Director to lead and build Chronicle Books’ Children’s publishing program by expanding Chronicle Books’ reach in the marketplace and enhancing its standing as a publisher of high-quality, captivating children’s books. Working with our exceptional editorial, design, production, marketing, and publicity teams, the Children’s Executive Publishing Director will develop and guide distinctive, profitable, critically acclaimed publishing that consistently surprises, delights, and sparks the passions of the end consumer.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Initiating, outlining, and appraising the long-term strategy for the children’s publishing program, cultivating a distinctive and profitable list of books and formats.
• Growing the revenue and profitability of the publishing list by closely monitoring financial results and stewarding expenses (royalty, plant, freelance, etc.), achieving seasonal revenue goals, setting budgets, negotiating and signing-off on acquisition deals, and print runs where required. Pivot and problem solve as needed, refining and improving outlook every step of the way.
• Inspiring the children’s publishing team as a mentor and arbiter to maximize acquisition, development, publicity, marketing, branding, and community-building, informed by a deep understanding of both the external marketplace and internal goals.
• Overseeing the ongoing financial and creative potential of Chronicle Books’ gift and novelty lists as a whole and in close collaboration with other children’s programs within the Chronicle Books eco-system such as Petit Collage and Galison/Mudpuppy. Identifying cross list publishing opportunities and partnerships as appropriate.
• Acquiring and editing a select number of publishing projects personally each year, with a focus on potential bestsellers and franchise publishing.
• Cultivating and closely nurturing high profile or high investment titles; lending guidance and direction across all stages of development to ensure success; initiating and nurturing franchise and series programs and playing active role in their content expansion alongside editor, marketers, authors/agents.
• Closely collaborating with design, production and other “make” teams to optimize creative development and visual distinctiveness in books.
• Ensuring close connection, engagement and cohesion with sales & marketing team and its leadership to promote both effectual launch and continued success of frontlist and backlist program in market.
• Networking and building fruitful relationships with authors, agents, licensors, packagers, overseas publishers, media, retailers & librarians, others in the creative community.
• Playing an active role in building understanding of end consumers and key retailers across domestic and international markets, helping to build the community for the program, and connecting deeply with it to enhance the Chronicle Books brand in the retail and institutional marketplace.
• Promoting high-functioning team environments informed by creativity, exploration, integrity, and strategic imperatives; guiding acquisition assessment and decisions within the larger publishing group to ensure they align and reflect both business goals as well as brand values.
• Nurture talent, internally and externally. This includes, for example:
• Supervising and mentoring key Children’s editorial personnel, applauding successes and challenging and addressing weaknesses; initiate changes in team and children’s org as needed to increase successful performance.
• Creating an environment that empowers staff to achieve objectives that support and helps drive company strategy; building skills and knowledge particularly with editorial development and business & publishing acumen.
• Cultivating external talent, with an active eye to recruiting for future change and team growth.
• Attracting and retaining acclaimed authors, illustrators, and other creative talent to the Chronicle list.
• Optimize strength and efficiencies across the company. This includes, for example:
• Collaborating with the Group Publisher and other creative directors to ensure Chronicle’s overall strategic needs are being met through publishing and craft leadership
• Sharing discoveries with others in the company – including active participation in company’s leadership (Operating) group – to coordinate vision, strategy, and tactics for success.
• Advocating for innovative, profitable publishing throughout the company and helping ensure communication across teams to exploit opportunities for growth.
• Promoting trust and accountability among peers.
• Attend various meetings, such as Creative Leadership Group, Key Title, Editorial, departmental, launch, sales conferences, transmittals, and other ad hoc meetings
• Work relevant trade shows as required
• Travel as needed
• Be an ambassador for Chronicle Books’ publishing, enhancing the company’s reputation among creators, retailers, librarians, the media, publishing peers, and end consumers

Employees at Chronicle Books follow a flexible hybrid schedule of working a minimum of 2 days per week and up to 4 days per week in our San Francisco office, depending on project and business needs. Please note that this job description is not designed to cover all activities required of this role.

Hiring Salary Range: $125,000 – $162,500. This range represents the anticipated low and high end of the expected salary for this position and will be determined by factors including but not limited to: applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, and geographic location as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. This position is also eligible for an annual bonus and participates in a company profit share plan.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status. We are committed to fostering an inclusive company culture that respects and promotes diverse backgrounds and points of view. We look for candidates who will add to our culture and support the company’s vision of a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and collaborative workplace. Chronicle Books is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. If you are excited about this role but do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed above, we still encourage you to apply.

REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should have at least five years’ executive experience in children’s publishing, with demonstrated success as a business and people leader. Strongly self-motivated as well as skilled at motivating others across all levels of the company, the successful candidate will have engaging interpersonal skills and be a team builder and strategist who is always alert to new opportunities.

BENEFITS

Chronicle Books offers a full suite of benefits, including but not limited to: medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k, a profit share plan, three weeks of paid vacation to start, two weeks of sick time per year, ten company holidays plus a paid winter break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, paid family, maternity, and paternity leave, commuter benefits, long-term disability insurance, annual tuition assistance, annual wellness stipend, and more.

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter.

Chronicle Books