Compensation Grade
Administration & Operations
Compensation Grade Profile
Leader (30)
Wage Ranges
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Searchable Job Family
Yale University Press
Total # of hours to be worked:
37.5
Worksite Address
302 Temple Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Work Model
On-site
Position Focus
The Director of the Press will provide overall leadership for Yale University Press’s publishing program. They will provide strategic direction, manage daily operations, cultivate relationships both within Yale and externally. The Director will be instrumental in maintaining the outstanding quality proposition of the Press while refining the publishing strategy and identifying new market opportunities, bridging the Press’s scholarly and commercial requirements.
The Press operates across two distinct units, New Haven and London, which represent a combined ~$28 million revenue. The Press possesses its own distinct endowment, which is currently valued at approximately $110 million, generating nearly a quarter of the Press’s budget. The staff of the Press includes nearly 80 team members in New Haven, operating in a partially unionized environment. Yale University Press London, comprising approximately 50 team members is a separate legal entity with Yale University as its sole member and governed by a board of trustees, and the Director serves as an ex officio trustee and the chair of that board.
Appointed by Yale University’s Board of Trustees, upon the nomination of Yale’s President, the Director of the Press reports into the Vice Provost for Collections & Scholarly Communication. There is a YUP Board of Governors which serves as an advisory body.
Specific responsibilities for the next Director include Strategic Leadership – Develop and implement a strategic vision and long-term plan for the Press. Bring a point of view on where the Press should take its publishing strategy and identify emerging trends and market opportunities for growth and expansion.
Editorial Strategy – Work closely with the Editorial staff to maintain and foster a high-quality list.
Publishing Operation – Oversee the design, manufacture, marketing, publicity, and sales of YUP’s books.
Financial Sustainability –The Director will need to balance mission and creativity with operational feasibility and fiscal accountability. They will oversee and manage the Press’s budget and revenue projections. They will be charged with exploring diverse revenue streams, including philanthropic support and partnerships to support the sustainable growth of the Press.
People Leadership – Lead a highly engaged staff and inspire them with vision and excellence.
Stakeholders and Partnerships – Navigate and manage complex relationships with key stakeholders across the Press and the University as well as the Press’s London leadership and associated industry leaders. Identify and cultivate partnerships that leverage the research and intellectual property of various University academic divisions and professional schools.
Operational – Transform business processes to improve efficiency, increase competitiveness, and generate greater capacity for investment. Innovation / Digital – Define and drive the digital strategy for the Press.
This position is being handled by Russell Reynolds Associates. Interested applicants may email YaleUniversityPress@russellreynolds.com to request the full spec in addition to sending in your interest.
Essential Duties
- Directs one or more functional areas within an administrative department of the University and ensure compliance with University policies and procedures.
- Directs analytic and research support for educational policies and planning and develops and approves administrative policies affecting assigned functional areas of the University.
- Directs and establishes parameters for major projects for the department and University.
- Interprets federal policies and regulations and educates staff and administration about regulations, restrictions, and the legal responsibilities of the University.
- Directs and implements policy and program modifications and develops standards to ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
- Develops and administers an operating budget for the assigned department consistent with University policies and procedures.
- Develops cost savings objectives and goals; authorizes major purchases and negotiates contracts that range from routine to complex in nature.
- Establishes and implements long- and short-range goals for the functional area consistent with University goals and objectives.
- Directs the development of related automated systems to support the function; determines office policies and procedures for use of automated systems.
- Directs the evaluation and selection of vendors and negotiates contract details including work steps and pricing with the vendors on behalf of the assigned functional area.
- Works with internal and external contacts to solve problems that range from routine to complex in nature.
- Represents the University in discussions and negotiations with various governmental agencies.
- Directs a staff of exempt and nonexempt employees.
Required Education And Experience
Minimum requirement of Bachelor’s Degree in related field and six years of demonstrated experience or an equivalent combination of education and demonstrated experience.
Required Skill/Ability 1
The ability to create and articulate an inspiring vision for the organization. The inclination to seek and analyze data from various sources to support decisions and align others with the organization's strategy. An entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing new, innovative ideas that stretch the organization and push the boundaries within the industry.
Required Skill/Ability 2
The ability to effectively balance the desire/need for broad change with an understanding of how much change the organization is capable of handling, to create realistic goals and implementation plans that are achievable and successful. Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; the ability to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations.
Required Skill/Ability 3
Ability to set clear challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance; tenacious and accountable in driving results. A leader who is viewed by others as having a high degree of integrity and forethought in their approach to making decisions; ability to act transparently, consistently while always considering what is best for the organization.
Required Skill/Ability 4
Ability to attract, recruit top talent, motivate the team, delegate effectively, celebrate diversity within team, & manage performance; widely viewed as a strong developer of others. Self-reflective, aware of their limitations; leads by example, drives organizational performance with an attitude of continuous improvement by being open to feedback, self-improvement.
Required Skill/Ability 5
Naturally builds strong relationships, demonstrates strong emotional intelligence, able to communicate clearly and persuasively. Able to inspire trust and followership through ethical behavior, depth of understanding of business, determination to produce results, and skill in managing people and situations. Encourages collaboration and celebration of team success.
Background Check Requirements
All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.
EEO Statement
University policy is committed to affirmative action under law in employment of women, minority group members, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans. Additionally, in accordance with Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).