POSITION SUMMARY
The Sales & Marketing Manager plays a pivotal role in driving the success of the University of Tennessee Press’s publishing program. The Sales & Marketing Manager plans, implements, and manages strategic sales & marketing efforts across a front list of 35–40 titles per year and a backlist of more than 1,000 titles. The Sales & Marketing Manager is a dynamic and experienced professional who can collaborate with cross functional teams, authors, and vendors to promote UT Press’s books and strengthen its brand presence in the market. The Sales & Marketing Manager reports to the Director of the Press. Since its founding in 1940 as the state’s book publisher, the primary mission of the University of Tennessee Press has been to support and enhance the University’s place as a major research institution by publishing both outstanding works of scholarship by writers throughout the world and books of interest to general readers. In support of its mission, the Press publishes titles in many disciplines, including anthropology, American history—particularly related to the nineteenth century, American Civil War, and African Americans—Appalachian studies, sport & popular culture, and material culture. The Press is a member of the Association of University Presses.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Marketing, Advertising, & Publicity:
- Drive brand recognition & sales to library & education markets, bookstores (indie & major retailers), distributors, consumers, & gift/special markets
- Create & develop strategic marketing plans, including strategies for marketing, advertising, exhibiting, & promoting individual books & the Press list as a whole
- Create & execute print & digital marketing campaigns, collaborating with authors, Press Director, and Press Publicity & Promotions Coordinator
- Develop comprehensive conference strategy for maximum sales & acquisitions potential
- Oversee overall media strategy
- Oversee design of promotional materials
- Develop branded content (e.g., podcasts, eNews, blogs, shareable graphics, downloadable resources, & video trailers)
- Develop digital strategy, including website, social media, email, SEO, PPC, & influencer partnerships
- Ensure integration of marketing efforts with UT Libraries’ efforts
- Oversee publicity & assist with events & conferences
- Sales:
- Take the lead in setting ambitious sales goals that drive growth & success
- Through in-depth analysis of historical trends, market conditions, & industry forecasts, forecast future sales performance
- Present seasonal lists to commissioned sales representatives, highlighting titles that will sell in reps’ respective regions and advocating for Tennessee’s list as a top priority for reps.
- Manage booth/sales at conferences, ensuring captivating booth setup & coordinating the logistics of staffing & materials
- Represent press for Ingram, Indie Next, & other house accounts
- Through targeted marketing efforts, strategic partnerships, and innovative lead generation strategies, identify and engage potential customers
- Analyze data & trends to identify opportunities & threats
- Management & Leadership:
- Manage publicity & promotions coordinator and commissioned sales representatives
- Build relationships & practice active listening with authors, with an eye toward understanding author’s target markets and leveraging their networks to create effective marketing campaigns
- Lead strategic sales & marketing efforts
- Collaborate with leadership on strategic vision, goals, and budgets
- Administrative/Operations:
- Develop & maintain marketing budget
- Analyze ROI on marketing to evaluate & shape marketing program, sharing insights & campaign results with stakeholders
- Prepare reports on marketing performance for library administration
- Assist acquisitions process by analyzing & reporting on marketability of potential projects
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Bachelor’s Degree
- At least two years of progressively responsible experience marketing scholarly, trade, or college books, or related experience.
- Proven experience marketing academic, trade, and/or textbooks in the publishing industry or a related field, with strong understanding of the publishing industry.
- In-depth knowledge of marketing principles, trends, and best practices.
- Proficient in digital marketing channels, including social media, SEO, email marketing, and content management systems.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create compelling marketing content.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and draw actionable insights.
- Strong leadership and team management abilities.
- Creative thinker with a passion for innovation and staying up-to-date with industry trends.
Preferred
- Supervisory experience or experience providing work direction.
- Knowledge of trends and current issues in academic publishing, including electronic publishing, print-on-demand, and Open Access.
The UT Libraries champions diversity in collections and staffing. The University of Tennessee is committed to creating a welcoming environment. More information about how we put our principles of civility and community into action is available at https://www.lib.utk.edu/belonging/.
Application Procedures
A background check is required prior to hiring. In order to be considered for candidacy, you must submit a cover letter addressing the above qualifications and a current resume.
For assistance or questions about using the UT online application system, contact University of Tennessee Human Resources:
105 Student Services Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0213
Office Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(865) 974-6642