Marketing Director, Brand Leadership

Nelson Books is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and highly values diverse backgrounds and insights that fuel our innovation.

The Marketing Director (MD) will create and execute complex brand marketing strategies primarily for select high impact authors and their publishing brands, specifically their front and backlist non-fiction trade books. The candidate should be well-versed in and able to develop and implement book marketing and publicity best practices online, in-store, and at events. The MD is responsible for developing brand, marketing, and sales strategies for assigned authors and managing execution and coordination of those strategies across HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP). The MD is also responsible for directing the work of the Brand Leadership team (BLT) for assigned authors and to ensure follow-through on all commitments—in the form of simple answers, action plans, product plans, and the like. The MD also plans and participates in author meetings and conference calls, takes and distributes action steps, and communicates with all internal and external stakeholders as problems or opportunities surface, opportunities arise, and plans change. The candidate will bring innovation and thoughtful leadership to the Nelson Brand team’s overall work, resulting in robust marketing initiatives that ultimately elevate the brands and attain budgetary goals. This role requires a high level of attention to detail, organization, and strong communication skills.

• Develops brand, marketing, and sales strategies for assigned authors and manages the execution and coordination of those strategies across the company.
• Leads the process of creating, implementing, (and revising, as necessary) a brand messaging document for each brand author, which is the touchstone document for each brand author.
• Runs point on strategic planning (including market research) for brand authors, with the goal of maintaining ideal release timing and annualizing brand revenue.
• Analyzes author sales reports prior to Brand Leadership team (BLT) meetings and reviews trends and opportunities with the publisher.
• Oversees product development, marketing efforts, and sales initiatives for assigned brands across HCCP.
• Identifies online media outlets, executes media buy, sets up target audiences, budgets, and bids. This position will be responsible for running campaigns on Amazon, Facebook/Instagram, Google, YouTube, Pinterest, etc.
• Monitors and tracks progress of digital ad campaigns and makes real-time adjustments.
• Participates in sales conference and potential external partner presentations.
• Manages creation of digital marketing assets (online ads, emails, web pages, graphics, video ads, etc.) for internal and external email lists, blogs, affiliates, paid search, and social media marketing.
• Serves as a liaison between each brand author, the author’s representatives, and HCCP employees.
• Develops and manages a productive professional relationship with each brand author and team. Communicates frequently with brand authors about marketplace achievements, sales milestones, and the like.
• Manages key action items for each brand author that includes outstanding actions, owners, due dates, and status. Follows up as necessary with HCCP employees to ensure that commitments are fulfilled on a timely basis.
• Prepares the agenda and leads all brand author meetings and conference calls. Ensures that relevant notes and action steps are captured and distributed and desired outcomes are achieved. Facilitates planning for offsite and Nashville author meetings.
• Maintains a master brand publishing plan for each brand author, updates the plan as needed, and notifies all stakeholders.

Knowledge: Familiarity with the assigned brands—and an affinity for the core message of each. Deep understanding of marketing and brand theory and practice.

Work Experience: Minimum of 8 years of marketing related experience. Minimum of three years in publishing or related field, required. Minimum of three years of people management experience, strongly preferred.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business, marketing, or communication. Master’s degree is a plus.

Industry Knowledge: Knowledge of the book general and Christian markets, strongly preferred. Knowledge of key competitors, authors, and agencies, as well as current content, branding, marketing, and sales trends, preferred.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and metrics-based decision-making experience
• Strong communication skills – both external communication to potential readers, as well as internal communication to facilitate the planning & execution of marketing strategies with core constituents including authors & agents
• Technical proficiency with marketing tools and programs
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with colleagues and vendors
• Experience managing multiple, competing priorities, duties and/or projects
• Strong organizational, time management skills with attention to detail
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Must be able to work independently under tight deadlines 
• Must possess the skill to set priorities and problem solve
• Strong computer skills necessary, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams/Zoom
• Familiarly with AI (Jasper, ChatGPT), Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva, Survey Monkey, Mail Chimp, SaleThru
• Understanding of financial reporting and sales trend analysis, preferred

HarperCollins Christian Publishing is an Equal Opportunity Employer