Regional Job Postings

Association members can email jobs@mountainsplains.org to submit a job listing for free. 

Job Opening: Director of Marketing & Publicity for BookPeople

BookPeople, the largest independent bookstore in Texas, is searching for a Director of Marketing and Publicity. BookPeople hosts over 400 events a year, including in-store and off site author events, book clubs, storytimes and community events. The marketing director is responsible for securing and coordinating author events, as well as fine-tuning and expanding BookPeople’s marketing reach in every area, on multiple platforms.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Working with the publicity departments of every major US publisher to confirm, coordinate, promote and execute 5-10 author events per week ranging in attendance from 25-2,000+ people.
• Cooperating with the store’s event coordinators to plan all in-store and off-site event logistics, including staffing, scheduling, customer and staff communications, and every aspect of facilitating efficient and pleasant large-scale events and book signings.
• Developing and implementing marketing strategies for all BookPeople author events, including overseeing the creation of event copy; print newslettter and calendar; advertising; e-newsletters; social media outreach; media outreach; and event-specific promotional campaigns.
• Working with publisher sales representatives and the store’s buyers to develop strategies to promote key titles, keep up with forthcoming releases, and communicate about trends in the bookselling world. This includes representing BookPeople at BEA, ABA’s Winter Institute and within our regional trade association.
• Ensuring that all details of the store’s events are communicated in a timely and efficient manner to the frontline booksellers and other store staff.
• Communicating BookPeople’s core message of community involvement and literacy and developing programs to enhance community involvement across a variety of channels.
• Working closely with authors on pre-order campaigns, creative launch parties, and special marketing and programming to connect them with readers both here in Austin and online.
• Coordinating with other departments within the store to plan logistics and staffing for BookPeople’s involvement in SXSW, TTBF, TBF, and other festivals and conferences.
• Overseeing BookPeople’s robust social media channels to engage with authors, readers and publishers; promote events and programming; and strengthen BookPeople’s brand on a daily basis.
• Overseeing all aspects of BookPeople’s website, including event listings, updating content, and troubleshooting.
• Supervising the marketing and events staff in the store.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must love books. Candidates with experience in the book and publishing industry will be considered first. Knowledge of book industry trends, publishing and a familiarity with books across multiple genres required.
• Experience coordinating and marketing large- and small-scale events. Author event experience preferred.
• Marketing experience required. Book marketing experience strongly preferred.
• Fluency on all social media platforms, with an emphasis on facebook, twitter, instagram, and WordPress.
• Ability to prioritize and manage a high volume of time-sensitive communications and tasks under pressure. Ability to work with grace and precision in high pressure situations.
• A minimum of two years management experience.
• Strong written and verbal communications a must.
• Willingness to work nights, weekends, and holidays as required by our events schedule.
• Experience with the Indiecommerce and/or Drupal content management system and/or other e-commerce platform a big plus.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite a plus.

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Elizabeth Jordan: elizabeth@bookpeople.com

Posted 3/25/19

Job Opening: Executive Director for the Independent Booksellers Consortium

The Independent Booksellers Consortium is a small, membership organization formed of independent booksellers from across the country. As the sole paid staff member, the Executive Director is responsible for all administrative facets of the corporation’s day-to-day functioning as well as ongoing service to its members. The Executive Director reports to the President of the Board on a weekly basis and is responsible to the Board of Directors made up of bookstore members. The position is 30 hours per week.

Responsibilities and Duties Include:

• Organize, plan and execute logistics for two member meetings and additional smaller meetings throughout the year to share best practices and further industry learning.
• Manage all financial, legal and administrative aspects of the Corporation.
• Facilitate communication among members.
• Manage and facilitate all committee work to ensure progress towards organizational goals.
• Regularly report to a board of directors and respond to the goals/needs of the board.
• As directed, on occasion, communicate IBC interests to industry partners.
• Develop and maintain member programs and vendor relationships.
• Other duties as needs of members and the industry change.

Qualifications Include:

• Ability to work independently from a home-based office including managing your own payroll.
• Strong organizational skills including attention to detail and project management skills.
• Strong communication skills including working with a diverse set of individuals.
• Proficient in basic budgeting: creating a budget in excel, generating budget vs. actual reports, and managing to a budget with the Board Treasurer. Proficiency in basic Quickbooks (or like programs) preferred.
• Knowledge of bookselling, retailing and publishing industries preferred.
• Experience planning meetings required.
• Ability to travel at least three times a year for multiple days.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and list of references to ibcdirectorsearch@gmail.com. Please use IBC Job in the subject line. Salary $35K-40K, other benefits to be discussed at the time of interviews.

Posted 3/15/19