OHIO UNIVERSITY Hiring for Director of the Ohio University Press Job at Athens, OH Full Time

The Ohio University Libraries seeks applications and nominations for an innovative and collaborative professional to provide leadership and direction as Director of the Ohio University Press.

CHOOSE OHIO
Ohio University (OHIO) strives to be the best student-centered, transformative learning community in America. Now into its third century, OHIO has become one of the nation’s premiere regional universities, educating nearly 30,000 students annually within 11 colleges on eight campuses, including a thriving eCampus. OHIO is committed to fostering, embracing, and celebrating diversity in all its forms. Our Athens campus offers students a residential learning experience in one of the nation’s most picturesque academic settings. Additional campuses and centers serve students across the state, and online programs further advance the University’s commitment to providing educational access and opportunity. Visit www.ohio.edu for more information. OHIO has been recognized for extensive efforts in a number of arenas, including an institutional commitment to diversity and inclusion for which the University has been named a four-time Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award winner.

SALARY, FLEX, AND BENEFITS

Based on extensive benchmarking data the Director of the Ohio University Press position has a minimum target salary of at least $110,000. The exact base salary for the selected candidate will be negotiable, commensurate with education and experience, and competitive in the field within the context of similarly situated positions at public universities in the state of Ohio and beyond.

While some on-campus time is expected, this position is designed to accommodate an on-campus or hybrid schedule, allowing for flexible, remote opportunities for the successful candidate. OHIO proudly offers flextime in addition to flexplace, in support of our employees and such arrangements will be negotiated at time of offer.

OHIO is also proud to offer a robust healthcare plan that includes maternity care, transgender care, counseling and mental healthcare, prescription coverage, vision, dental, orthodontia care, and more. Our robust benefits package also includes paid holidays, sick time, personal time, a tuition waiver up to 100% for self and dependents, an excellent retirement plan with up to a 14% employer contribution, a 12-week parental leave program, adoption reimbursement, flextime and flexplace policies, an employee assistance program, access to professional development programs, wellbeing incentive programs, and additional employee resources.

LEADERSHIP PROFILE & POSITION SUMMARY

SUMMARY: Reporting to the Dean of University Libraries, the Director is responsible for monitoring every part of the daily operations of the Ohio University Press (OUP) including acquiring and supervising the acquisition of manuscripts; supervising all press departments and hiring of new employees; and managing the finances, warehousing, and distribution partnerships of OUP and its trade imprint, Swallow Press.

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP: The director develops and implements strategic, long-range, and current plans for the Press, including working with departments and programs at Ohio University, as appropriate and in alignment with university strengths, ensuring that the Press is playing its part in the overall plans for Ohio University and effectively develops Press resources for long-range planning for future growth and permanence.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESS, INCLUSION, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE: The successful candidate will embrace the Libraries’ commitment to incorporating social justice into our decision-making processes. Through their work in this role, the successful candidate will help the Libraries confront institutional bias and structural racism to make demonstrable progress toward diverse collections, equitable policies and inclusive practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Primary Operations: Directs the Press staff of 6 full-time and 1 part-time staff members, between 5 and 10 student workers, and freelance professionals to ensure proper training and good communications. The Director is responsible for creating an atmosphere and working culture that fosters creativity and a sense of stable and consistent professional growth while encouraging collaboration between all departments of the Press. Works with other OHIO, national, and international academic and professional institutes and departments to create high-quality scholarly publications that continue to raise the profile of the Press, other partnering departments, and Ohio University as a whole.

Acquisitions: Supervises and works with acquisitions editor to identify a balance of 35-40 meaningful, competitive, and thought-provoking academic and trade titles per year, in print and electronic formats, maintaining existing book series, developing new series and concentrations, and strategies for sustainable open access publishing. Works with authors, managing, and production managers to ensure high editorial quality and physical production values, as well as efficient and cost-effective use of independent contractors to maintain a competitive list that balances prestige and revenue. Responsibilities could include the development of a journals program.

Collaboration: Chairs Ohio University Press and Swallow Press Publications Advisory Board meetings and oversees the peer review process. Working with colleges, University Libraries, and other academic units, identifies opportunities for student internships and other experiential education opportunities. Identifies and develops business opportunities for special publication projects and develops sustainable models for open publishing in cooperation and partnership with the Ohio University Libraries and faculty at Ohio University and other institutions.

Financial Management: Oversees the financial performance of the Press to achieve growth while within the mandate of the Press mission. Supervises business relationships with national and international distribution and sales partners. Supervises business manager in all financial responsibilities, planning and oversight of the $1M budget, compliance with University guidelines, and the monitoring of financial results against budget, suggesting and implementing revisions as needed. Participates as member of Press management board, proposing members to the Provost’s Office, setting up meetings, supervising business manager’s preparation, and presenting to the management board on strategic planning. Negotiates, reviews, and signs off on all Press contracts, invoices, royalty and client-press payments, and other financial matters.

Sales and Marketing: Oversees marketing, publicity, and sales of print and electronic books and licensing, including foreign rights program and licensing of digital front and backlist titles to libraries and other digital vendors. Maintains oversight of long-range planning for digital publishing, digitization of backlist, and the monitoring the maximization of revenue for the Press digital product and licensing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in the Humanities or Social Sciences with at least six years of directly relevant experience, including at least one year of managerial experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

A graduate or terminal degree in Humanities, Social Sciences, Business, or Publishing or extensive relevant publishing experience is preferred. Substantial manuscripts acquisitions experience or an ability to articulate a strategic vision for university press acquisitions are highly desirable.

Ohio University is proud of its rich history, diverse campuses, international communities, and beautiful Appalachian settings. As part of our ongoing efforts to provide and support a transformative learning experience, we affirm our commitment to fostering a welcoming, respectful, diverse, and inclusive workforce and community. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, ethnicity, national origin, national ancestry, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military service or veteran status, mental or physical disability, or genetic information. Ohio University is an equal access/equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

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