FGC is Seeking a Publications Manager

FRIENDS GENERAL CONFERENCE JOB DESCRIPTION

(Provisionally approved by Personnel Committee, 2/3/2010)

Job Title:        PUBLICATIONS MANAGER

General Statement:

The Publications and Distribution Committee has been working on a transformational business plan for the Publications Program, which should leverage the capabilities of new publishing technology, and the proliferation of Quaker writers to bring more Quaker voices into publication. The FGC Publications Program will increase the flow of important ideas and help to sustain itself and other FGC programs, while operating in a fiscally responsible manner.  FGC will create mechanisms to publish both messages which command a large audience within and beyond Quakers and messages with a more limited audience, but that serve particular needs within the Quaker world.  

The Publications Manager will implement and manage this small publishing business for Friends General Conference.  The position requires a motivated, entrepreneurial individual who brings experience and an understanding of the rapidly changing world of publishing to the work.  S/he will have an opportunity to set up a new business operation which will publish important Quaker ideas to assist in faith articulation, transmission and transformation while enabling important conversations to occur and new voices to be heard.

The new business plan will establish a "two-stream" publishing model.  "Stream One" involves manuscripts or projects that have a strong enough sales potential to cover most associated costs (including staff costs).  For such manuscripts, the Manager advises authors and/or originating FGC committees (which often propose particular manuscripts for publication) on manuscript development and then manages all stages of editing, production, and promotion.  "Stream Two" involves manuscripts or other projects with less sales potential which will be published "on-demand" or electronically by another FGC committee, another Quaker organization or an author sponsored by a meeting.  These other bodies contract directly with the Publications Program to provide editorial, graphic design and promotional services.  For Stream Two publications, program expenses are covered up front by the contracted payments; the author or organization then receives any income from sales to QuakerBooks of FGC, our distributor.

The Manager works with other FGC staff and committees, many authors, and other Quaker organizations, but s/he is expected to provide leadership in the transition to a new model and assume responsibility for the outcomes of the program.  The general directions and goals of the program are set by FGC's Publications and Distribution Committee (which the Publications Coordinator helps to staff) and, to some extent, the Executive and Central Committees. 

Desired Qualifications:

Education:      1.  College graduate or equivalent.

Experience:    

1. Editing manuscripts and preparing materials for publication.
2. Managing a small business.
3. Promoting publications within and beyond the Religious Society of Friends.
4. Extensive involvement with the Religious Society of Friends.
5. Working with Quaker committees and volunteers.
6. Building programs or implementing new business models.
7. Diversity awareness training and/or demonstrated cultural competence.

Skills:

1. Developmental editing and copy editing.
2. Supervising production of print and electronic materials.
3. Financial or business management.
4. Promotion and marketing.
5. Organizing and managing multiple, long-term projects.
6. Strong written and verbal communication.
7. Computer skills: Word-processing, simple database and Excel. Website publishing best practices.

General:   

1. Member of (or very familiar with) the Religious Society of Friends.
2. Strong interest in Quaker books and materials.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1.      Lead the Publications Program in transforming our business model from the current traditional model to the "two streams" model described above. Communicate with other program committees and potential partners about this new business model, soliciting projects for both Stream One and Stream Two projects.

2.      Manage the business of the Publications Program:  preparing a budget for each publishing project, keeping and analyzing records of sales and inventory, marketing and promoting FGC publications, deciding what, when, where, and how much to print or reprint.

3.      Review unsolicited manuscripts and bring appropriate ones to the Publications and Distribution Committee for evaluation as candidates for Stream One publications and referrals to the appropriate program committees and staff.

4.      Manage publications projects in Stream Two: contract for Editorial, Graphic Design, and Promotion services with sponsoring body; contract with service providers when needed; contract with print-on-demand printers and others.

5.      Edit and coordinate preparation and distribution of FGConnections, the FGC online newsletter and content library, in close cooperation with the Associate Secretary for Programs and Communication (content and editing) and the Publications Associate (entering and formatting materials and preparing for printer).

6.      Develop a work plan and timeline for each potential publication.

7.      Oversee the editing and copy editing of each project prior to publication.  The Publications Coordinator may find a skilled volunteer, pay an outside person, or do it her/himself.

8.      Keep the Publications and Distribution Committee and concerned program committees informed regarding progress on each project.

9.      Promote FGC publications within and (as appropriate) outside the Religious Society of Friends, including sending review copies of new publications to appropriate journals and bookstores.

10.  Refer titles going out of print to appropriate committees and staff for consideration regarding reprinting.

11.  Advise other committees and staff regarding planning and developing materials for publication by FGC and for placement on the web site.  Advise Quaker authors on other avenues of publication.

12.  Respond to customer inquiries, including permission to copy FGC published materials and sorting out complicated copyright issues.

13.  Provide staff support for the Publications and Distribution Committee.

14.  Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Supervisor:                 Associate Secretary for Programs and Communications

Time                                        80% time

Salary                         Range III (approximately $36,000 to $55,000), plus full benefits.