Publishing Manager

We are seeking an ambitious and highly organized Publishing Manager to support our bespoke and limited editions program for our growing Direct-to-Consumer business. This role will be instrumental in the day-to-day management of deluxe and custom book products, ensuring timely and high-quality execution from concept through publication. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of publishing workflows, a proven ability to manage complex projects with precision, and a passion for crafting exceptional, high-end products for a direct consumer audience.

What you’ll do:

• Lead the end-to-end project management of custom and high-end editions, including detailed scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget
• Collaborate extensively with internal teams, including editorial, design, production, marketing, and sales, to streamline workflows and foster effective cross-functional communication
• Manage relationships with external vendors, including printers, binders, and specialized artisans and craftspeople, negotiating terms and working closely with our production team to ensuring quality control throughout the production process
• Oversee the complete lifecycle of product development, from material sourcing and prototyping to final manufacturing and quality assurance
• Work closely with the marketing team to develop compelling product narratives, promotional materials, and launch strategies for each edition
• Implement and refine project management best practices to optimize efficiency and scalability within the Custom & High-End Editions pipeline
• Contribute to financial planning by tracking project-specific costs and assisting in revenue forecasting

What you’ll bring:

• Demonstrable advanced proficiency managing complex publishing or luxury product development projects, showcasing meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to quality
• Comprehensive understanding of the book publishing process, including editorial development, graphic design, print production techniques (e.g., binding, paper types, special finishes), and supply chain management
• Advanced proficiency in project management software (e.g., Asana, Monday.com, Jira) and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively articulate project requirements and collaborate with diverse stakeholders
• Strong negotiation skills for vendor management and contract discussions
• Strategic thinking capabilities with an ability to anticipate challenges and proactively develop solutions

Ideal experience:

• 5+ years of progressive experience in publishing, with a significant track record in custom publishing, special editions, luxury product management, or a related field
• Proven experience managing multiple projects concurrently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Direct experience with direct-to-consumer business models, e-commerce platforms, and customer engagement strategies is highly desirable
• Demonstrated success in vendor relationship management and supply chain coordination

This role will have an annual salary of $80k-$85k.

Macmillan Publishers is the U.S. trade company that is part of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, a large family-owned group of media companies headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Holtzbrinck Publishing Group’s publishing companies include prominent imprints around the world that publish a broad range of award-winning books for children and adults in all categories and formats.

U.S. publishers include Celadon Books, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Flatiron Books, Henry Holt & Company, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, The St. Martin’s Publishing Group, and Tor Publishing Group. In the UK, Australia, India, and South Africa, companies in the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group publish under the Pan Macmillan name. The German publishing company, Holtzbrinck Deutsche Buchverlage, includes among its imprints S. Fischer, Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Rowohlt, and Droemer Knaur.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are actively seeking job applicants who reflect a broad representation of differences, including race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, physical ability, neurodiversity, age, family status, economic background and status, geographical background and status, and perspective. We believe that the best companies reflect the incredible diversity in viewpoints, backgrounds, and identities of the world in their staffs, and are committed to inclusive hiring across departments and levels. The successful candidate for this position will be an employee of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC.