Chief Publishing Officer (CPO)

Tyndale House Publishers•Carol Stream, IL

3d•$190,000 - $220,000

About The Position

For more than 60 years, Tyndale has helped readers discover the life-giving truths of God’s Word. Today we’re one of the largest independently owned Christian publishers in the world. Though our business has grown, our mission remains the same: to open God’s Word to as many as possible in language they can relate to and understand. The Chief Publishing Officer (CPO) serves as the senior executive leader responsible for shaping, directing, and overseeing all content acquisitions activities of the organization, which includes Bibles (the NLT translation, the NTV Spanish translation, and other translations we may publish), books (non-fiction, fiction, kids), Bible studies, academic (Hendrickson Publishers), digital products (Apps), and alliance partnerships with other organizations. As a mission-driven leader in the Christian publishing industry, the CPO ensures that all publishing efforts align with the company’s theological convictions, ministry vision, and market goals. This role combines strong product acquisition skills, strategic leadership, business acumen to meet and grow revenue and profit objectives, solid oversight of a team of acquisition and product development experts, market instincts, and spiritual discernment to guide the publishing program toward growth, excellence, and faithful impact.

Requirements

A mature and always growing Christian faith, demonstrated commitment to the orthodoxy of Scripture, and alignment with the organization’s statement of faith and Christian community values.
A passion for publishing content that faithfully represents the character, posture, and mission of Jesus.
10+ years of leadership experience in a publishing or ministry environment, preferably with experience in both editorial and business functions.
Proven track record of strategic leadership in a content or ministry context (Christian publishing experience strongly preferred).
Strong grasp of the changing religious landscape, the state of the church, and practical felt needs related to the timeless truths of Scripture.
A strong knowledge of digital, audio, and global trends in content needs and distribution.
Experience managing budgets, P&L, and multi-disciplinary teams.
Visionary leadership with the ability to translate mission into strategy and execution.
A servant leader committed to helping those around him/her succeed.
Excellent editorial judgment and theological discernment.
High emotional and relational intelligence to partner well with authors, ministry leaders, and staff.
Entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to innovate and adapt.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision
Provide overall leadership and direction for the publishing program, ensuring alignment with the organization’s Christian mission and values.
Develop and execute a multi-year content strategy that balances ministry impact, financial profitability, and market opportunity.
Lead innovation in publishing formats (print and digital) to reach new and unique audiences.
Discover new publishing models and innovative ways to bring Tyndale content to the market.
Pursue partnership opportunities with other key organizations and ministries.
Serve as a key voice on the C-suite and Executive leadership teams, contributing to overall organizational strategy and mission execution.
Be observant and knowledgeable about cultural and publishing trends; scout talent and help position Tyndale’s publishing ministry in the 21st century.
Acquisitions Oversight
Lead the acquisitions process by setting imprint and category priorities, generating product and strategy ideas, and overseeing the acquisitions teams for all product lines as they acquire and shape content that advances the organization’s mission.
Build strong relationships with authors, agents, ministry leaders, and content creators to develop enduring partnerships.
Publishing Operations & Production
Partner with marketing and sales teams to ensure effective launch strategies and long-term resource impact.
Effectively and winsomely partner with other areas of the publishing cycle, including design, production, finance, and distribution.
Negotiate, review, and sign contracts as needed.
Oversee (including working with outside counsel) legal issues related to Tyndale products.
Evaluate and adopt technologies and workflows that increase efficiency and scalability.
Team Development & Culture
Supervise and advise content team leaders in their duties, including staff management and product development.
Lead and inspire acquisitions to foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and faithfulness.
Mentor senior publishing staff, ensuring strong leadership pipelines and professional growth opportunities.
Promote a Christ-centered organizational culture that values both ministry excellence and team well-being.
Financial & Market Stewardship
Partner with the CFO and CEO to develop budgets, forecasts, product mix, and financial goals for the publishing program.
Ensure strong business performance by monitoring sales trends, forecasting and adjusting publishing lineups, and managing costs.
Maintain awareness of industry trends, competitor activity, and cultural shifts to keep the publishing program innovative and effective.