Director of Publications

Council on Social Work Education•Alexandria, VA

9h•$110,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is seeking a Director of Publications to join our Communications and Membership Division! This role is for a strategic publishing leader passionate about advancing social work education through high-quality, relevant, and impactful content. The Director will play a key leadership role in advancing CSWE’s publishing strategy and expanding the reach and impact of CSWE Press and the Journal of Social Work Education. This includes scholarly works, professional development resources, practical handbooks, literary nonfiction, and emerging areas of thought leadership, ensuring CSWE delivers timely, innovative, and meaningful publications that strengthen social work education and elevate the profession. The Director will help shape the future of social work education through publishing, scholarship, and thought leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts degree required
Minimum of 10 years of editorial leadership experience in scholarly, academic, and professional book publishing, or related knowledge‑based publishing.
Proven leadership, management, and team building skills.
Demonstrated experience creating and managing effective budgets.
Excellent communication skills, with demonstrated abilities to build relationships and navigate complex contract negotiations.
Proficiency with the use and application of style required
Demonstrated experience developing and managing budgets, analyzing publication sales and financial performance, and making data-informed operational decisions.
Proven project management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and publications stakeholders.
Expertise with Microsoft Office and related publishing and office software.
Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences, as well as a commitment to antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Ability to travel approximately 1–3 times annually and work occasional evenings or weekends in connection with conferences, meetings, or other scheduled programs.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in publishing or related field preferred.
Prior work with nonprofit budgets preferred.
General understanding of GAAP a bonus.
Expert knowledge of the Publications Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition preferred.
Experience with nonprofit financial management, royalty administration, or publishing revenue models preferred.

Responsibilities

Plan and administer the overall mission and operation of CSWE Press.
Work with managers and staff to determine and implement Press systems, policies, and procedures.
Lead and supervise assigned Publications staff, including establishing performance expectations, assigning and prioritizing work, providing coaching and professional development, conducting performance evaluations, and participating in hiring and other personnel decisions in coordination with Human Resources.
Develop and maintain short-term and long-range strategic plans for CSWE Press books, JSWE, and other CSWE publications, and work with staff to meet the Press’s annual goals.
Formulate, prepare, and oversee the annual publications’ budgets, and long- and short-range financial and programmatic planning.
Serve as staff liaison to CSWE’s Council on Publications and collaborate with chair and member activities, including policy, acquisitions, and proposal reviews.
Work to elevate the brand and reputation of CSWE Press among educators, administrators, and students in social work and related disciplines.
Serve as spokesperson for the Press within and outside of the organization.
Oversee and ensure the distribution of all metadata, including ISBN management through Bowker and Library of Congress CIP submissions.
Manage relationships with fulfillment vendor as well as the distribution partnerships with Amazon and other distribution partners; Oversee policy with those vendors, including inventory management, complimentary copies, and shipping and mailing.
Negotiate and/or sign contracts with authors, editors, distribution partners, and vendors.
Analyze sales, determine print quantities, prepare print RFQs, review bids, and assign print projects to appropriate printers.
Represent the Press at appropriate external meetings, conferences, and events to increase the visibility of CSWE publications, and to develop relationships with current and potential partners, authors, and reviewers.
Plan and staff booth, manage inventory and shipping including books, literature, and other collateral.
Manage the CSWE Press Bookstore at annual conference, including selecting and ordering inventory; organizing events; managing the bookstore on site; and reconciling inventory and sales after the event.
With finance department, calculate annual author royalty payments and oversee creation and mailing of statements and payments.
Edit and proofread manuscripts and pages as needed.
Partner with Communications, Membership, Education, Finance, and other CSWE departments to align publication priorities with organizational goals, member needs, and educational initiatives.
Oversee the administration of subsidiary rights and permission requests, including calculating fees and generating invoices.