Cokesbury Kids Director

UNITED METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE • Nashville, TN

5d • $71,684 - $89,606 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Cokesbury Kids is the designated team leader for the strategic and daily operations and planning for UMPH-published Cokesbury Kids programs, with accountability for the performance of the business unit team in meeting the needs of markets served by the programs, improving present processes, developing new processes to accomplish the work of the team, and working with other internal units in support of financial goals for Cokesbury Kids. The incumbent supervises and coordinates Cokesbury Kids product planning, theme and content development, manuscript acquisition, editorial development, marketing, and business planning of Cokesbury Kids resources to serve The United Methodist Church and other markets.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, English, journalism, communications, education, religion, or a related field
• At least five (5) years of experience in publishing, religious education, business management, product development, marketing, or a related field
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of children’s ministry programs and Cokesbury Kids resources.
• Strategic leadership
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills and ability to manage a large cross-functional team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to make presentations and lead workshops.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills.
• Excellent personal computer skills and intermediate proficiency with word-processing and spreadsheet software (Microsoft Word and Excel preferred).
• Ability to travel as needed, with number and duration of trips to be determined.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree
• Current or previous participation in Christian education programs within a local congregation
• Working knowledge of media and the incorporation of video, social media, and web-based programs in children’s ministry, marketing, and communication.
• Working knowledge of sales and marketing practices and techniques.

Responsibilities

• Leads the Cokesbury Kids team in developing and implementing an annual publishing, marketing, and promotional plan to assure achievement of financial budgets, targets, and objectives for sales, expenses, cost of goods, inventory levels, and net contribution.
• Directs and guides the editorial stages of production for the 100-plus components of VBS from development through point of delivery of the product to the printer.
• Writes original content, directs editing of manuscripts, and manages their development through the editorial production process by analyzing structure and content, comparing formats and appeal to competitor products, and appraising and improving readability and format.
• Leads the editorial team in monitoring the biblical and theological quality and consistency of within Cokesbury Kids resources (with an emphasis on VBS), looking for both compatibility with United Methodist teachings and breadth that allows broader use by other mainline denominations.
• Leads the theme and content development process for VBS and related programs, including customer summits and focus groups, story consultations, and other forms of research.
• Coordinates with the Business Manager, Marketing Manager, Buyer, and editorial staff to create business plans that present product lines designed to meet sales and cost-of-goods targets, optimize inventory, and offer new products that fit audience market interests.
• Works with the Marketing Manager to plan and implement competitive promotion and sales campaigns for Cokesbury Kids programs.
• Conducts or supervises product-related workshops and training events as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager