Marketing Manager
1517 Media is a multimedia company comprised of five vital, creative imprints: Beaming Books, Fortress Press, Broadleaf Books, Augsburg Fortress, and Sparkhouse. We create resources for spiritual growth and development, for Christian worship and faith formation, and for academic study and professional development. 1517 Media strives to create an environment of inclusiveness, equity, and respect for all regardless of ability, age, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, nation of origin, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Individuals who are committed to contributing meaningfully to diversity and inclusion in publishing are encouraged to apply, including members of groups historically underrepresented in publishing (which is - according to industry research - a traditionally white, straight, cisgender, and nondisabled field).
Marketing Manager (Remote/Hybrid Work Model)
Fortress Press, 1517 Media
Fortress Press, a leading book publisher in religious scholarship and Christian ministry, seeks a dynamic and knowledgeable professional to lead its marketing program. The winning candidate will advise the editorial team on book acquisitions and positioning, participate in strategic planning, and lead a team of dedicated marketers in devising and executing breakthrough classroom and library-focused marketing plans. The Marketing Manager supervises the Senior Marketing Specialist and Marketing Coordinator for Fortress Press, and reports to the Senior Director of Marketing and Sales for Fortress Press, Broadleaf Books, and Beaming Books.
The Marketing Manager holds key responsibilities in the following areas:
Program leadership
- Develops and leads a team of dedicated marketing professionals, including a Senior Marketing Specialist focused on digital marketing and a marketing coordinator
- Defines strategy for program, audience, and brand development and creates systems for orchestrated execution of work
- Achieves annual quantitative goals for assigned product lines, and manages the Fortress Press marketing department budget (>$250K)
- Represents the imprint and team to colleagues in editorial, sales, and with key stakeholders, internally and externally
Book positioning and go-to-market planning
- Reviews and contributes to discussions about new title acquisitions with an eye towards market appeal
- Partners with editorial to lead title, cover design, and back cover copy direction
- Makes pricing recommendations, evaluating comp titles to assess the value to the customer
- Teams with metadata experts to ensure that title specs and metadata effectively positions each product through digital channels to target audiences
- Teams with editors to present seasonal lists to the sales force
- Makes sales projections and print run recommendations
- Takes authors as partners in promoting their work through strong communications and supportive marketing tools
Seasonal catalog development, event, and ad program strategy
- Oversees the organization, layout, design, mailing and budget for academic and ministry catalogs
- Leads advertising strategy, teaming with marketers to drive ad execution in trade, industry, academic, and consumer publications and digital outlets
- Teams with event project manager, editors, and marketing staff to ensure impactful representative of Fortress brand, authors, books, and staff at key industry events
Customer development and brand strategy
- Devises a customer acquisition and engagement strategy that centers the Fortress brand, authors, and books based upon audience need
- Leads the execution of strategic campaigns and communications that speak directly to each target audience, positioning Fortress authors and books through direct promotions, excerpts, and value-added content
- Devises campaigns targeting the book trade and general readers for select titles with broad appeal
- Teams with business Intelligence team to actively evaluate campaign results and adjust for future work
Other duties as assigned
Desired education and experience:
- BA in Marketing or relevant field of study
- 4-6 years devising and executing strategic marketing campaigns
- Experience in book publishing or related media fields a plus
Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Ability to thrive in and contribute to a highly collaborative environment
- Strong verbal/written communication skills
- Ability to efficiently manage multiple projects simultaneously with demonstrated attention to detail
- Ability to provide effective leadership, development and supervision to direct reports
- Ability to judge creative work, interfacing with development and evaluating product concepts to ensure alignment with overall goals
- Technical abilities using Office 365 suite, product database systems, and customer relationship management systems
- Familiarity with religion and religious life and/or knowledge of academic, education, and ministry book markets
- Demonstrated ability to develop breakthrough marketing insights and execution
1517 Media offers a competitive salary and a full list of benefits, including vacation for new employees, sick time, health, retirement, a pre-tax transportation program, paid parental leave and no-cost gym access in the building. You will join a collaborative and creative hybrid work environment, with a talented group of 90 individuals who have a passion for their work. The beautiful, newly designed corporate headquarters is located near downtown Minneapolis with adjacent access to Light Rail and Metro Transit bus lines.